Hi,

I recently read somewhere that dairy products help your body produce serotonin. Has anyone ever heard this before? I became a Vegan about 4 months ago so I have totally cut out all dairy from my diet, and of course all other meat or animal products. I have not eaten meat for a year and a half, but continued to eat some dairy. Anyway, I also around the same time as quitting dairy, quit my medication so its hard to tell, but I have had alot of increased anxiety everyday for the last month or 2. Just wondering if anyone thinks dairy products may help a little.

Nick,

YI found t his information on the internet, it may be something you want to look into...."You can find the food and serotonin link in items that are somewhat healthier. Try turkey, black eyed-peas, black and English walnuts, almonds, sesame or pumpkin seeds, and cheddar, gruyere or swiss cheese. Also helping to a lesser extent are whole grains, rice, and other dairy products (grandma was right � drink a glass of warm milk before bed!).

Examples of food with tryptophan:
wheat germ - 0.4g/1cup
granola - 0.2g/1cup
cottage cheese - 0.4g/1cup
egg - 0.1g/1
duck - 0.4g/quarter lb
turkey - 0.37g/quarter cup
chicken - 0.28g/quarter cup

* list from The Healing Nutrients Within by Dr Eric R Braverman.

How much this may help to raise your serotonin levels is uncertain, but eating healthy foods is going to help with migraine, obesity, depression and sleeplessness anyway, so you can't lose!"