Lacking Motivation? No Excitement for life? Can’t get into exercise, overweight, low libido and poor energy?
Dopamine is a brain neurotransmitter that controls motivation, happiness, drive, libido and energy. Eating well and exercising is crucial to be healthy, but the body is reliant on a few other things to be able to be happy, motivated, build muscle, lose fat, and produce energy. Three of those things are the right balance of food groups in your diet, protein absorption, and good nutrients.
Good nutrients, along with proteins, produce dopamine levels in the brain, further making adrenaline, so you have the energy you require to do the exercise you need to achieve the changes in your body you desire. Dopamine is made from tyrosine – an amino acid, B6, folate, zinc, magnesium, B complex, vitamin C and iron. Depression is very common in today’s society, making it hard to get out there and exercise. Both dopamine and serotonin deficiencies are the main causes of depression. Serotonin is also increased in production when you improve your protein absorption and nutrient intake. If depression has been a concern for you, it may be another sign that you have poor protein and nutrient absorption.
Balancing fats, proteins, and carbohydrates in the diet makes a huge difference when it comes to getting results with exercise, once you have the energy to do it. Muscle growth, and weight loss occur easily when you balance your food groups properly, as too much of one, compared to another can influence your production of insulin. Insulin will send a message to your body to either gain or lose weight. You need to make sure your percentages of each food group is correct, while keeping your portion sizes adequate, but not more than you require. Your body will tell you when you are not eating enough, but will not often tell you when you are eating too much.
With low dietary protein or poor absorption, your muscles cannot grow or repair. Your muscles are the engine of your body that burn calories, the more muscle you have, the more fat you will burn and the faster your metabolism will become. For anyone who is training, you require at least 3-6 protein meals daily, you also need to be absorbing it through the gut. Absorption of protein is often taken for granted. If you’ve been ill, or are a little older, there may be a lack of bacteria in the gut necessary to form a complete amino acid chain, which is where a lot of your proteins are manufactured. You should check this if you are weight training and notice no change in the muscle, or cannot lose weight. You may also notice flat moods as protein is required to make your brain neurotransmitters, hormones, motivation and energy.
By addressing each of the above factors, you will have much greater results with the same effort, while improving your mood in the process. If you would like to know more, book a free half hour consult to discuss your options on 5443 1987. Also, you may wish to view the free webinar “7 Steps to Freedom from Anxiety & Depression” at www.advancedwellness.com.au. A webinar is simply a seminar that you can see on the internet.
Jodi Chapman B.H.Sc Naturopath
Advanced Wellness & Behavioural Centre, 38 Maud St, Maroochydore
07 5443 1987
