You May Be Suffering From A Stress Response Illness? Part 3 of 5 - Serotonin

Here is a brief quiz to see if you have been paying attention:

1. Serotonin is the happy, joyful, feel good hormone that makes depressed people feel better. True or False?
2. Serotonin is a brain hormone that is useful by people suffering from depression.  True or False?
3. Serotonin is a stress management hormone.  True or False?
4. Cortisol is another stress hormone. True or False?
5. Cortisol levels go up when Serotonin levels go up.  True or False?
6. Serotonin is very useful if you are going to be eaten by a Saber Tooth Tiger.  True or False?
7. Enterochromaffin Cells are made in the gut.  True or False?
8. Enterochromaffin Cells are similar to the cells found in the Adrenal Glands.  True or False?
9. Serotonin is an "Awareness" chemical.  True or False?
10. Serotonin is mostly made in the brain.  True or False?
11. Serotonin is mostly made in the gut.  True or False?
12. Serotonin is used by the body to help it prepare for "fight" or "flight".  True or False:
13. Can the body grow and repair when it is in a stress response mode?  True or False
14. Can you increase Serotonin by eating lots of bananas, potatoes and sugars?  Yes or No
15. Serotonin encourages blood clotting.  True or False?
16. SSRI's work by increasing Serotonin which leads to relaxation, rest, peace, healing and growth.  True or False
17. Mental and Emotional dysfunction such as depression can be improved by supplementation.  True or False
18. Melatonin is the opposing hormone to Serotonin and is a rest and digest hormone leading to growth and repair.  True or Fals
19. Serotonin causes you to lose your libido.  True or False?
20. Serotonin reduces Thyroid function.  True or False?
21. High Blood Pressure is a stress response.  True or False?
22. Breakdown or chronic illness is a stress response.  True or False?
23. Stress hormones can lead to stress responses.  True or False?
24. SSRI's increase Serotonin levels.  True or False?
25. SSRI's can lead to breakdowns in the body.  True or False?

The answers are contained in this three part series on Serotonin thanks to information provided by Naturopathic Pharmacist Ben Fuchs.  If you are confused about any of this information please review these articles.

Serotonin is a stress management hormone.  It is part of the "Awareness" system.  It allows a person to survive when under threat.  Serotonin enables the body to be aware of threats.  A stress response may be to elevate the blood pressure.  A stress response may be to increase the vascular systems "patching" mechanism by increasing Cholesterol or blood clotting mechanism which is exactly what Serotonin means.  It is for this reason that we must question the wisdom of trying to lower blood pressure or reduce cholesterol using artificial means when in actuality these are just stress responses to stress.  Our survival depend on awareness.

When there is long term stress in our lives the Serotonin levels can become depleted.  The depletion of Serotonin does affect us.  However, the intervention in the Serotonin system assumes that the right amounts and methods of Serotonin production can be known which is impossible.  Malnutrition, malnourishment, nutritional deficiencies and poor dietary choices are among the main reasons that Serotonin system becomes activated.  What this means is that we have to make better lifestyle choices, we have to eat better and we must supplement correctly.  The use of questionable pharmaceuticals as an artificial means of regulating Serotonin is a poor alternative to using the body's natural mechanisms.  Not only are the side effects potentially dangerous but there is some doubt as to whether or not these drugs even work.

The fact is that there are loads of ways to increase Serotonin levels naturally.  Protein in the form of whey which contains the major building blocks for Serotonin.  Eggs are another good means to strengthening Serotonin.  B Vitamins, especially Vitamin B6 and Vitamin C are excellent Serotonin builders.  Drugs actually place more stress on the Serotonin mechanism.  As with all pharmacological solutions they are not appropriate when addressing any stress related symptom.

Another important fact is that Cortisol levels go up when Serotonin levels go up.  Using a SSRI type of drug like Prozac, Efexor or Zoloft will increase Cortisol and cause more Cortisol related damage in the body.  Cortisol is another stress hormone which can have a dangerous effect on the body.  Cortisol is another "fight" or "flight" hormone which may be appropriate during the caveman days but long term it will break the body down and lead to chronic illness.  It places a burden on the adrenal glands and results in more stress related problems.  Stress hormones place a anti-building anti-anabolic response in the body.  It leads to excess muscle breakdown, slows down growth and repair, increases the aging response, lowers Testosterone levels and lowers reproductive health.  SSRI decrease Libido, called Post Selective Serotonin Dysfunction (PSSD).

Serotonin has a major suppressant effect on the Thyroid.  Given the important link between depression and Hypothyroidism the use of SSRI's seems inconsistent.  Thyroid function is intimately connected to digestive health.  The third point on the "Triangle of Disease" is the Adrenal / Thyroid axis.  Anything that stimulates the Adrenal glands including stresses, Cortisol, Serotonin, SSRI's, etc are going to have a suppressant affect on the Thyroid.  By the way 90% of Serotonin in the body is made in cells that are very similar to cells found in the Adrenal Glands.  These cells are called Enterochromaffin Cells.  The Thyroid regulates everything in the body.  This includes every cell, every chemical reaction, every organ, every tissue, every gland and every system.  Suppression of the Thyroid Gland is the beginning of every illness and condition known to mankind including Cancer and Heart Disease.

By the time Cancer or Heart Disease shows up breakdowns in the three points of the "Triangle of Disease", which are
1. Digestion; 2. Sugar Management; 3. Adrenal Thyroid,  have been percolating for decades.  The health challenges are well established.  The concept of a "Cure" without addressing the three points of the Triangle is a waste of time and money and exploitation of the highest degree.  The idea that one can take a drug or medication to heal or cure something is outrageous.  We must address the Triangle of disease.  We must address the fundamental points of breakdown.  Malnutrition, nutritional deficiency, anti-nutrient foods, especially sugar, protein deficiency cause physiological stress.  Deficiency in Vitamins and Minerals, micro nutrient deficiencies  are all ways to mess up the Serotonin processing system. This effect is extra important when a baby is developing in the womb.  Beyond Tangy Tangerine, the Healthy Start Pak and the OsteoFX products from Youngevity.

Serotonin is involved in the calcification of tissue.  Kidney stones, Calicium Fybroids in the breasts can be promoted through the use of SSRI's,  Calcium deposits in the heart, brain, glands, and other soft tissue may be caused by Serotonin as well.  The Endocrinologist, Hans Selye, is attributed with connecting stress to biological processes. 

Stay tuned for more information regarding a biochemical that has the opposite effect to Serotonin in a future post.......




Blog Editor's Note: This blog is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any medical condition.  If you have any symptom and before taking any supplements consult with your qualified physician. 

Information contained in this article is a summary of a recent program from Naturopathic Pharmacist Ben Fuchs.  You can listen to his one hour syndicated radiio program "The Brightside" Monday through Friday, 8 - 9 AM PST.  Listen Live at gcnlive.com or tbrightsideben.com

We at World Health Team are pleased to offer two very useful product lines which have been proven to benefit health.  We make no medical claims.  However, scientific data is available which indicates that the products we offer can be helpful.

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