Sleep Disorders and Serotonin Deficiency

 Serotonin deficiency is widely accepted as being associated with mood disorders, the number of serotonin reuptake blocking drugs (SSRIs) presently flooding the market bears witness to that. However, it is not serotonin's effect on mood disorder that we are concerned with here, but rather the effect serotonin deficiency has on sleep disorders.

Melatonin's effects on insomnia has been widely publicized, however, it appears to be not generally known that melatonin is manufactured in the pineal gland from serotonin, so it would appear that a melatonin deficiency follows on from a serotonin deficiency.

Exactly how an individual may become deficient in serotonin may be difficult to pinpoint, for the pathway is strewn with hazards. Tryptophan is one of the eight essential amino acids to be found in the diet,the remaining 14 amino acids are formed from the essential 8. Unfortunately tryptophan has to deal with five other competing amino acids tyrosine, phenylalanine, valine, leucine and isoleucine to get through the blood brain barrier.

One might think that a high protein diet might answer the problem and improve tryptophan levels, however, such is not the case for increased protein intake increases the competition from the other amino acids as well, the end result is a decrease in tryptophan levels.

The answer to the dilemma is to increase carbohydrate intake which then allows for the unimpeded transport of tryptophan across the blood brain barrier. This information no doubt presents a great argument for a diet high in carbohydrates, unfortunately there is a price to pay for this, and that is increased weight.

Perhaps taking tryptophan supplements might solve the problem, but there again there's a fine line to tread, for too high a dose of tryptophan may increase the level of liver tryptophan pyrrolase which brings about the degradation of tyrptophan.Taking vitamin B3 and B6 with a low dose tryptophan supplement, and a low dose melatonin supplement may produce positive results. Both  B3 and B6 prevent the destruction of tryptophan.

Far better to obtain tryptophan from a natural healthy food source, but what might that be?  A large bowl of Montmorency cherries would provide a significant quantity of melatonin, or a serving of walnuts. A peanut butter sandwich or a serving of pasta with cheese, or hummus and wholegrain bread, or cottage cheese on rye bread will provide a carbohydrate rich low protein meal allowing your brain to access the tryptophan so necessary to increase the serotonin levels which will help you sleep.

There are a number of drugs which deplete melatonin levels: Beta-blockers, Acebutolol, Atenolol,Betaxolol, Bisoprolol, Carteolol, Celiprolol, Esmolol, Labetalol, Levobetaxolol, Levobunolol, Metipranolol, Nadolol, Penbutolol, Pindolol, Sotalol, Timolol.

Anti-inflammatory medications, Corticosteroids, Beclomethasone, Budesonide, Dexamethasone, Fluticasone, Hydrocortisonem Methy;prednisolone, Mometasone Fluoratem Prednisone, Triamcinolone, Diclofenac, Dif;unisal, Etodo;ac, Fenoprofen, Indomethacin, Ketoprofenm Ketorolac Tromethamine, Meclofenamate, Nabumetone, Naproxen, Oxaprozin, Piroxicam, Sulindac, Tolmetin, Antidepressant medications, SSRIs, and cardiovascular medications.

Some people may be taking more than one of the above, and wondering why their sleep quality has diminished, overcoming the sleeping problem may prove to be impossible as long as medication continues.

Read more:Restless Leg Syndrome