Serotonin is a key neurotransmitter that is involved in the regulation of sleep, appetite and aggression. Serotonin imbalance is a common contributor to mood problems, and pharmacologic agents that alter serotonin levels are among the most commonly used class of drugs prescribed for anxiety and depression.

Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, or 5-HT) is one of the body’s most important inhibitory neurotransmitters, involved in mood regulation, emotional stability, sleep, pain perception, digestion, and immune function. Although it is often called the “feel-good” neurotransmitter, serotonin’s role extends far beyond mental health — influencing nearly every system in the body.

In the central nervous system (CNS), serotonin promotes calmness, emotional balance, and healthy sleep–wake rhythms. In the peripheral system, about 90% of serotonin is produced in the gastrointestinal tract, where it supports gut motility, blood clotting, and immune signaling.

Serotonin is synthesized from the amino acid tryptophan, through two enzymatic steps:

1. Tryptophan → 5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan) via tryptophan hydroxylase (requires iron, oxygen, and tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4)).

2. 5-HTP → Serotonin via aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) (requires vitamin B6).

Because serotonin synthesis depends on dietary tryptophan and key cofactors, any nutritional deficiency, inflammation, or stress-induced shift in metabolism can disrupt this pathway.

Serotonin plays important roles in the resolution of mood, sleep, and appetite.

Serotonin is an inhibitory neurotransmitter synthesized by enzymes that act on tryptophan and/or 5-HTP.

Neurotransmitters are divided into two basic categories:

– Excitatory neurotransmitters stimulate the brain and body.

– Inhibitory neurotransmitters calm the brain and body.

Just as levels of individual neurotransmitters are important in maintaining optimum health, so is the proper balance between your excitatory and inhibitory systems.

Serotonin is one of our happiness neurotransmitters that makes us feel good. When we are feeling anxious it can be a sign of serotonin imbalance. In addition to mood concerns, serotonin imbalance may also show up as sleep disruptions, gut issues, or cravings and urges; among many other complaints. Because it plays a role in regulating several physiological processes, serotonin testing is helpful to identify serotonin imbalances. Low or high serotonin levels can be corrected with diet and lifestyle.

How does Serotonin become imbalanced?

A number of factors can disrupt serotonin levels or associated hormones or neurotransmitters. These factors include:

• Digestive issues. Problems digesting food can lead to impaired absorption and breakdown of the precursors and cofactors necessary for building neurotransmitters. 24
• Poor diet. A diet lacking in the nutrients needed to make serotonin can affect levels of this neurotransmitter. 25
• Stress. Modern levels of stress can cause a cascade of symptoms, including decreased levels of serotonin, oxidative stress, and cortisol imbalances. 26

How can we naturally support Serotonin?

It is possible to encourage healthy levels of serotonin through lifestyle measures, including:

• Eating foods rich in the amino acid building block and cofactors needed to make serotonin. 
• Dietary supplements that contain the necessary precursors and cofactors to promote the synthesis, release, and/or function of serotonin can also support healthy levels of serotonin. These include:
  • L-tryptophan
  • 5-hydroxytryptophan
  • Vitamin B6 (as pyridoxal-5-phosphate)
  • Iron
• Exercise, even at moderate levels a few times a week, can increase serotonin levels while also improving stress, mood, and cognition. 33
• Meditation has been shown to increase serotonin levels, while also reducing stress and anxiousness. 34 Additionally, meditation may also aid in improving other indicators of serotonin imbalance such as cognition and memory.

Serotonin plays important roles in the resolution of mood, sleep, and appetite.

Serotonin is an inhibitory neurotransmitter synthesized by enzymes that act on tryptophan and/or 5-HTP.

Neurotransmitters are divided into two basic categories:

– Excitatory neurotransmitters stimulate the brain and body.

– Inhibitory neurotransmitters calm the brain and body.

Just as levels of individual neurotransmitters are important in maintaining optimum health, so is the proper balance between your excitatory and inhibitory systems.

Serotonin plays important roles in the resolution of mood, sleep, and appetite.

Serotonin is an inhibitory neurotransmitter synthesized by enzymes that act on tryptophan and/or 5-HTP.

Neurotransmitters are divided into two basic categories:

– Excitatory neurotransmitters stimulate the brain and body.

– Inhibitory neurotransmitters calm the brain and body.

Just as levels of individual neurotransmitters are important in maintaining optimum health, so is the proper balance between your excitatory and inhibitory systems.

Serpins, also known as serine protease inhibitors, are a family of proteins that play a crucial role in regulating the activity of enzymes called serine proteases. Serine proteases are enzymes that cleave peptide bonds in proteins and play important roles in a variety of biological processes, including blood clotting, inflammation, and immune defense.

Serpins work by inhibiting the activity of serine proteases, which helps to prevent excessive proteolytic activity and maintain the proper balance of proteases in the body. Serpins achieve this inhibition by forming a complex with the serine protease, which then irreversibly inactivates the protease.

The presence of antibodies to Sesame is an indication of food immune reactivity. The offending food and its known cross-reactive foods should be eliminated from the diet. Sesame allergy/intolerance is becoming more common as more people begin to seek a healthy protein-rich food. Special precaution must be taken by those in the baking industry, as occupational asthma stemming from the inhalation of Sesame flour has been reported.

Additionally, patients with immediate or delayed immune reactivities should not only avoid ingesting the food, but should also abstain from using topical products that contain Sesame.

What if your test result is "equivocal"?

An equivocal result on a test for sesame sensitivity in the context of gluten-associated cross-reactive foods means that the test result is uncertain or borderline. This could indicate a low level of sensitivity to sesame, but it's not definitive enough to confirm a true sensitivity or allergy.

Here’s what to consider or do next:

→ Consultation with a Healthcare Provider: It’s important to discuss the results with a healthcare professional who can provide guidance based on your overall health, symptoms, and medical history.

→ Further Testing: Your healthcare provider may recommend additional testing to clarify the results. This could include more specific allergy tests or a different type of sensitivity test.

→ Dietary Monitoring: You might be advised to monitor your symptoms when consuming sesame products. Keeping a food diary that tracks what you eat and any symptoms that follow can be helpful.

→ Elimination Diet: In some cases, an elimination diet might be suggested, where sesame is removed from your diet for a period to see if symptoms improve. This can be followed by a reintroduction phase to see if symptoms reoccur when sesame is added back.

→ Consider Other Factors: Since cross-reactivity can be complex, it’s also wise to consider other factors that might affect your symptoms, such as other food sensitivities or gastrointestinal conditions.

An equivocal result can be frustrating, but with careful management and professional guidance, you can determine the best approach for your health.

Setomelanomma/Helminthosporium almost always occurs seasonally and the spores are released on dry, hot days. Species of Helminthosporium are best known as parasites of cereals and grasses. It is frequently isolated from grains, grasses, sugar cane, soil and textiles.

- Found worldwide, most common in warm areas, especially in the southern U.S.

- Important in the Midwest as it grows on farm crops, especially corn. 

- Grain thrashing operations release large quantities. 

Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) Serum (Male) is a protein produced by the liver that binds to sex hormones, particularly testosterone and estrogen, and transports them in the blood. When SHBG levels are measured, it provides insight into the amount of testosterone available for the body's tissues to use. This is important because only a fraction of testosterone is free and biologically active, while the rest is bound to SHBG and other proteins. High levels of SHBG can reduce the amount of free testosterone, potentially leading to symptoms of low testosterone such as fatigue, decreased libido, and mood changes. Conversely, low SHBG levels might indicate conditions like obesity, hypothyroidism, or type 2 diabetes. By assessing SHBG levels, healthcare providers can better understand a patient's hormonal balance and tailor treatments for conditions related to hormonal imbalances, ensuring a more comprehensive approach to men's health.

The standard male reference range for Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) typically varies depending on the laboratory and the specific testing methods used. However, a common reference range for adult males is approximately 10 to 57 nmol/L. It's important to note that reference ranges can differ slightly between labs, so it's always best to refer to the specific range provided by the testing laboratory, such as Labcorp, for the most accurate interpretation of results.

Sex hormone-binding globulin is a protein that binds primarily to testosterone, making it biologically unusable by our bodies. For this reason, an abnormal level of SHBG indicates that too much or too little testosterone is present in the tissues. In men, this can cause sexual issues like erectile dysfunction or infertility. In women, it can cause irregular menstruation or excess facial hair growth. A healthcare professional may order a SHBG test when total testosterone levels do not fit with one or more of the above-mentioned symptoms.

What are normal SHBG levels?
The normal ranges for SHBG concentrations in adults are:

Males: 10 to 57 nanomoles per liter (nmol/L)
Females (nonpregnant): 18 to 144 nmol/L

Men typically have lower SHBG levels than women. However, a man’s SHBG level will usually increase with age as his testosterone levels drop.

Pregnancy usually raises SHBG levels. They typically return to normal after childbirth.