Foods Highest In L Dopamine

L Dopamine is a neurotransmitter found in the brain that contributes to feelings of happiness and well-being, as well as motivation and concentration. If you are lacking in dopamine, you may become depressed. Although drugs can be taken to increase your levels of dopamine, there are natural methods as well, especially eating certain foods. Consult your physician to determine if you have low dopamine levels and to find the best way to treat this problem.

Protein

Complete protein increases the levels of dopamine in the brain. You can find high levels of complete protein in foods such as eggs and chicken. If you are a vegetarian, you can also find protein in sources such as cheese, beans and legumes. It is the amino acids in protein, namely tyrosine and phenylalanine, that assist your body in the creation of dopamine and other neurotransmitters, says the website medhelp.org. Meat and dairy foods have the highest levels of tyrosine, according to "The Food Connection," by Sam Graci.

Fish

Another food that contributes to dopamine levels is fish, which contains Omega-3 fatty acids. Among other health benefits, Omega-3 fatty acids help to make dopamine. You will find high levels of these acids in mackerel, halibut, tuna and salmon.

Vegetables

When it comes to the vegetable group, beets are at the top of the list in contributing to dopamine levels. Amino acids found in beets contribute to dopamine levels by creating SAM-e in the body, which leads to the production of dopamine. The Franklin Institute says that vegetables also contain many antioxidants, which keep the neurons in the brain that use dopamine from becoming damaged.

Fruits

Watermelon, apples and bananas are fruits that can increase levels of dopamine. The antioxidant quercetin in apples, the amino acid tyrosine in bananas and the vitamin B-6 in watermelon are the ingredients in these fruits that contribute to dopamine levels in the brain. Just as with vegetables, fruit also contain antioxidants that defend the neurons that use dopamine.

Nuts and Seeds

"The Insulin-Resistant Diet" by Cheryle Hart and ary Kay Grossman says nuts and seeds increase dopamine. This includes almonds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds and peanuts, which contain high amounts of tyrosine, just as meats do.

Chocolate

If you are a chocolate lover, you will be happy to know that chocolate raises levels of tyrosine, which in turn creates dopamine. "The Food Connection" says that dark chocolate, with over 70 percent cocoa, is the best type of chocolate as a source of tyrosine.