Lilac (New England) on 04/27/2016
To experiment with this, try this diet for a few days to a week and see if it works for you:
Vegan + no or very limited nuts, beans, & seeds. Simple.
Explained in more detail:
Vegan means no beef, chicken, lamb, pork, ham, cold cuts, turkey, eggs, dairy (no yogurt, cheese, milk, etc.) IN OTHER WORDS NO ANIMAL PRODUCTS OF ANY KIND EXCEPT HONEY AND GHEE ARE OKAY.
AS WELL, cut way down on these plant proteins: legumes, beans, lentils, peas, all nuts, all seeds. I remember the diet this way:
Vegan plus nuts, beans, seeds. So simple.
It's a limited diet, yes. But you may see good results, as I do. You will have more serotonin and dopamine, which will free your mind. It works for me.
Plus I uploaded my DNA results from 23andMe to Nutrahacker, and now I know what supplements/foods are good for me and which to avoid. For example I'm positive for the MTHFR mutation, so I take folate. Usually one with the MTHFR mutation takes methylfolate, but Nutrahacker tells me I don't tolerate methyl groups well, so It take folinic acid instead. Nutrahacker told me lots else, too. For example I have the CBS mutation, which means I must follow a low-protein, low thiols sulfur diet. No time to go into it all here. It will cost you around $199.00 for 23andMe plus around $35.00 for Nutrahacker. You will never regret it.
For me, my Nutrahacker results plus the low BCAA diet and low sulfur diet is great. Take it from someone who has searched high and low to cure my dysthymia, and doesn't like pharmaceuticals.
Replied by Timh from Ky on 04/28/2016
L: Have you ever tried supplementing the amino acid Tyrosine?? It's one of my favs for mood & energy.Replied by Lilac from New England on 04/28/2016
Tyrosine increases norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain. Those neurotransmitters speed up the brain and make one more alert. For some that may be good, while for others who are low on serotonin, it could be harmful. Tyrosine is found in protein foods, so eating more protein, especially animal-source, will increase this alert, speeded-up mentality. But if one is worrying and sad and angry and obsessive, it's more likely serotonin in short supply, in which case complex carbohydrates are better.I've tried Tyrosine from time to time. It does make me more alert, but not in a good way, more in a "wired" way.
Anyone wanting to increase their serotonin can try Tryptophan or 5HTP. Again, don't take them with any other protein. Sometimes I take Tryptophan or 5HTP before bed, as they cause drowsiness. My experience is that a diet low in protein and high in complex carbohydrates, NOT TAKEN AT THE SAME TIME AS PROTEIN OR WITHIN A FEW HOURS OF PROTEIN works just as well to raise serotonin. Fruit and vegetables don't have much effect either way. By complex carbohydrates I refer to whole grains, potatoes (white & sweet), and winter squashes. Take without added oils/fats for quickest effect, and watch out for white potatoes as you may be sensitive to nightshades.
Remember to take ANY amino acid supplements on an empty stomach or at least not with within an hour or so of any other protein, since the amino acids in the protein will compete with the amino acid(s) in the supplement. Taking amino acid supplements with fruit should be fine.
Thank you for your suggestion.
