Tag Archives: dietary habits

Questions & Answers

Serotonin And The Gut: What You Need To Know

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that has an impact on both the brain and the gut. It comes from the amino acid tryptophan and can be released as a result of vagal stimulation.

Most people have heard of Prozac, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) used to treat depression. SSRIs are given to people to help flood their brains with serotonin. That’s one of the reasons most people think of mood problems when they hear the word serotonin.

SSRIs prolong the life of serotonin in the body by preventing it from breaking down in synaptic junctions.

However, serotonin does more than regulate the mood.

Serotonin also impacts the libido. It affects the heart by increasing vasodilatation and vasoconstriction via certain biochemical pathways.

Serotonin impacts bone, uterine contractions, and the digestive system.

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The GI system contains 5-HT receptors. These receptors uptake serotonin. We all need to have a good supply of serotonin to maintain optimal gut function.

Serotonin has a particularly beneficial impact on the migrating motor complex (MMC). The MMC is responsible for moving food through the digestive system, which helps regulate appetite and digestive control. Having a sufficient supply of serotonin will help maintain a healthy weight and reduce cravings.

The MMC also has an impact on bowel function. It ensures that stool is not too firm or too loose. This is why people with terrible problems with constipation or diarrhea often also have a serotonin imbalance.

Serotonin also helps ensure that the amount of stomach acid you have isn’t too little or too much. Serotonin is even helpful when it comes to nausea and vomiting because it helps regulate the relevant pathways.

And, don’t forget, serotonin is important for the prevention of leaky gut.

Clearly, serotonin is a chemical that plays a pivotal role in human health.

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Questions & Answers

D-Limonene: An Introduction

D-limonene is a constituent found in citrus fruit. I think they call it monoterpene. It’s a particular type of chemical, a hydrocarbon, that’s found in the white pith, or in the peel, of oranges, in particular. D-limonene is a type of monoterpene.

My question is, why focus on eating a constituent of citrus when you could have the whole fruit?
When you take a constituent, especially a monoterpene, from a plant, and they make it in a large amount and put it in a pill, it’s going to create bloating and gas.

Many people get reflux from taking concentrated D-limonene. I’ve had reports of diarrhea, and constipation, and heartburn from taking stuff that’s supposed to make you feel better.
Of course, this isn’t just true for D-limonene. Many pharmaceutical medications worsen the problems they are supposed to cure.

Natural medicine is getting to the point where it’s becoming almost like pharmaceutical medicine. Some companies are taking chemicals that are present in the diet in tiny amounts and blowing them up into large amounts. At the same time, they’re disregarding all of the other complimentary miscellaneous substances that are provided by nature with that plant.

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When I make a supplement I try, and very carefully, not to do that. I try and make sure that I look at an active ingredient and then make sure that all of the other compounds are included. So having a single active molecule, on its own, can be problematic for people.

Can d-Limonene cause gas and diarrhea? Yes, it can. You need to be very careful with it. In my opinion, have a small amount of citrus, like lemon, lime, or grapefruit instead.

Grapefruit is incredibly healthy, but some medications don’t interact well with this fruit. Grapefruit contains a flavonoid called naringenin, which can impact the processing of drugs by the liver.

But for 99% of people, it’s going to be fine to have a piece of grapefruit.

I grow a variety of grapefruit called Pink Lady. It’s a beautiful small grapefruit and pink inside. Grapefruit is fantastic for the gut and for the gallbladder. It’s got d-Limonene in it, but it’s not just d-Limonene. Think about that. Don’t take d-Limonene, preferably, have a little piece of grapefruit, or lemon, or lime regularly, and you’ll be good to go.

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