I was just researching foods that increase dopamine last night. We are intrigued by the banana and will try it, among
other foods listed, as a daily supplement, to see if it has an effect.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/34...ne-production/
FOODS THAT INCREASE DOPAMINE PRODUCTION
Low dopamine levels can cause depression, food cravings, loss of satisfaction and motor control as well as poor attention and focus. The brain produces dopamine from an essential amino acid called phenylalanine that it converts into tyrosine in order to synthesize dopamine. Foods that contain phenylalanine or tyrosine and increase dopamine naturally include bananas and high-protein foods such as cottage cheese and meat.
HIGH-PROTEIN FOODS
Dopamine is important for motivation, sexual arousal, healthy assertiveness and the proper functioning of the immune and autonomic nervous system. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that research indicates stress may diminish the body's capacity to make enough dopamine-producing tyrosine from phenylalanine. Eating foods high in protein is important because the body makes amino acids from protein, which raises the levels of tyrosine in the blood. Foods high in protein include chicken, turkey, soy products, fish, yogurt, cheese and cottage cheese.
According to the Franklin Institute, while eating a carbohydrate-high morning meal has a calming effect because it releases tryptophan in the blood, a high-protein breakfast that raises tyrosine levels can keep you alert, motivated and energized for hours. Your breakfast can be composed of two groups of protein foods. Complete protein foods such as meat, fish, poultry, yogurt and cheese have all eight essential amino acids, whereas legumes, grains, nuts and seeds are incomplete proteins and offer only some of the essential amino acids necessary to the production of dopamine.
BANANAS, APPLES AND WATERMELON
Bananas, especially ripe bananas, are a good source of dopamine. The brown spots on a ripe banana indicate places of high concentrations of tyrosine responsible for the production of dopamine. Ripe bananas can be mixed with yogurt or milk and honey to disguise the ripe taste some people find unappetizing.
Watermelon is another fruit that can raise dopamine levels naturally. It contains great quantities of vitamin B-6, which the body uses in its production of neurotransmitters, including dopamine. Apples contain the antioxidant quercetin that protects the body from free radicals that can destroy dopamine.
BEETS AND AVOCADOS
Beets contain the antidepressant betaine that stimulates the production of SAM-e, or S-adenoslmethionine, essential to the body's production of hormones such as dopamine. Avocados not only increase dopamine levels in the body, the healthy fats they contain increase levels of endorphines, which are also pleasure-stimulating chemicals. Because dopamine is readily oxidized, fruits and vegetables in general, because they are rich in antioxidants, help protect the neurons that use dopamine from free radical damage.
NUTS, SEEDS AND BEANS
Eating nuts and seeds, especially almonds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds and sesame seeds, helps increase dopamine levels in the body. Beans and legumes are rich in protein and also favor the production of dopamine, in particular lima beans.
WHEAT GERM
Wheat germ is a good dietary source of the essential amino acid phenylalanine that the body uses to convert to tyrosine so that the brain can produce dopamine. Wheat germ can be sprinkled on yogurt or baked into muffins