Serotonic®

The combination and dosage of the various ingredients in Serotonic^® are based on the standard values established in numerous studies.

5-HTP^® (5-hydroxytryptophan) is transformed by the body into serotonin and is an important substance for healthy brain and nerve functioning. Apart from its many other functions, serotonin plays an important role in sleep, mood, sensitivity to pain and modulation of inflammatory processes. Various studies on 5-HTP^® suggest that low mood, states of anxiety, sleeplessness, and even unhealthy weight are just different symptoms of the same condition – a deficiency in the neurotransmitter serotonin (5-HT).

Low serotonin levels encourage impulsive behavior, aggression, eating disorders, mood disorders, alcohol abuse and proneness to suicide.

DLPA^® (D, L-phenylalanine) is a blend of the essential amino acid L-phenylalanine and the mirror-symmetrical form D-phenylalanine. DLPA^® (or the D- or L-form alone) has been used for mood disorders for a long time, and also as a therapy for minor discomfort.

Phenylalanine is an amino acid and is considered the most important parent substance of various catecholamines such as dopamine, adrenaline and noradrenaline. Furthermore, DLPA^® is transformed in the brain into phenylethylamine, a naturally occurring messenger substance that helps maintain a healthy mood.

St. John’s wort extract is one of the oldest-known remedies for the treatment of mood disorders. Hypericin, the main active constituent of St. John’s wort, helps to brighten the mood, influences brain metabolism and plays a great role in the nerves’ transmission of stimuli.

More recent studies have shown that the mood-balancing effects of extracts of St. John’s wort occur via the inhibition of the reuptake of the neurotransmitters serotonin, noradrenaline and dopamine. Many modern prescription drugs for mood also share this mechanism of action, however, their use is frequently accompanied by side effects.

Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) is the key vitamin in the synthesis of amino acids, thus it is necessary for the formation of proteins and some hormones. It is also used by the body to produce serotonin, melatonin and dopamine, and influences the production of many other neurotransmitters. Therefore, pyridoxine is an essential dietary ingredient that plays a major role in the regulation of mental processes and probably also greatly influences emotional health. Numerous studies have shown that people suffering from mood disorders usually have a significant vitamin B6 deficiency.

Niacinamide is required to release energy from carbohydrates; during this process, fat is formed. Furthermore, niacin also helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels. The body produces the required niacin from tryptophan. In cases of vitamin B3 deficiency, the body requires excess tryptophan for niacin production, which in turn leads to low serotonin levels that may be accompanied by low mood.

Calcium is the most prevalent mineral in the body, constituting up to 2 percent of the body’s weight. Apart from its known functions concerning the formation of bones and teeth, it also participates in the production and release of neurotransmitters.

Magnesium is required to form bones, proteins and fatty acids and for the activation of the B vitamins, for muscle relaxation and healthy blood coagulation. It is also the basic building block for the formation of ATP – the «fuel» that makes the cells «run». Magnesium is also necessary for the release of many hormones.

Furthermore, magnesium is crucial for the regeneration of those cells in the body which have the highest energy requirement, for example, brain cells. People suffering from chronic fatigue, a condition characterized by great tiredness, weariness and lack of drive, often have low magnesium levels. In these cases, when magnesium is administered, symptoms often improve. Also, mood disorders frequently go hand-in-hand with magnesium deficiency.