Serotonin & Metabolism

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that is involved in such central nervous system functions as "arousal, thermoregulation, mood, appetite, sleep and pain regulatory systems, according to Macalester University. Serotonin is found throughout your body. Metabolism is "the process by which your body converts what you eat and drink into energy," according to the Mayo Clinic. Your metabolic rate depends on your lifestyle and eating habits. Serotonin effects metabolism because it controls your appetite and food consumption habits.

Basics of Metabolism

Metabolism burns calories to support all bodily activity, from breathing and circulating blood to fueling sports training exercises and hormonal changes. Your metabolic rate depends on your age, sex, body type and body composition, according to the Mayo Clinic. The daily act of processing food also affects your metabolic rate--it consumes about 10 percent of the calories your burn to support your metabolic activity each day.

Basics of Serotonin

Serotonin cannot be produced by your body, according to Macalester University. It must be synthesized from the amino acid tryptophan. However, tryptophan molecules also are synthesized into proteins and metabolic waste acids; sometimes very little is left over for serotonin production. For adequate serotonin production, it's important to meet or exceed the 200 mg recommended daily allowance of tryptophan. Take trytophan supplements, or eat such tryptophan-rich foods as fish and turkey.

Serotonin and Appetite

Serotonin controls your appetite. Serotonin activates neurons and receptors that curb appetite, at the same time suppressing neurons that increase appetite, according to ScienceDaily.com. This allows for portion control and consumption of small, frequent meals.

Impact on Metabolism

Small, frequent meals "keep your body's fuel supply consistent and keep your metabolism revved up," according to ConsumerAffairs.com. With small, frequent meals, your metabolism works constantly to process incoming food into energy. When your serotonin levels are low and you eat a big meal, then don't eat for several hours, your metabolism gets sluggish unless you prompt it with exercise. This occurs because your metabolism doesn't have any calories to process.

Additional Benefits

An increased metabolism has many benefits, according to HowToIncreaseMetabolism.org. Increase your metabolism to help turn old fat into muscle. It also helps you lose weight. In addition to controlling your appetite and increasing your metabolism, healthy serotonin levels also decrease your sensitivity to physical pain and regulate mood swings associated with depression, according to Vitamins-Supplements.org.