Category Archives: Serotonin

Is Thiamine An Antidepressant?

Posted on September 18, 2014 by Robert Barrington

Thiamine is an essential nutrient, a deficient intake of which causes the deficiency disease beriberi (here). Thiamine is absorbed and phosphorylated in the liver to produce the active coenzyme thiamine pyrophosphate (also called thiamine diphosphate). Thiamine pyrophosphate may play an … Continue reading →

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Foods That Affect Mood

Posted on July 29, 2014 by Robert Barrington
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Aspartame and Glucose: Bad Combination?

Posted on July 17, 2014 by Robert Barrington

Although the dangers of aspartame are well known to the public, the scientific community appears reluctant to research the biochemistry and neurophysiology of the sweetener. The reason for this is quite simple. The food industry is very powerful and rich … Continue reading →

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Protein: Its Role as a Brain Food

Posted on June 17, 2014 by Robert Barrington

Amino acids are nitrogenous compounds required by the body to form proteins. Many people are aware that protein is an important structural component of the body. Protein makes a good construction material because it can be twisted and bonded to … Continue reading →

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Aspartame Alters Brain Chemistry?

Posted on December 29, 2013 by Robert Barrington

Aspartame, also called L-aspartate-L-phenylalanine methyl ester, is an artificial sweetener used extensively in the food industry to replace sugar. The growth in demand for diet drinks initially fuelled increased consumption of aspartame amongst humans. However, more recently it has become … Continue reading →

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Vitamin B6 for Depression?

Posted on December 28, 2012 by Robert Barrington

The B vitamins are needed for energy production because they are required as cofactors in a number of key enzymes in glycolysis and the citric acid cycle such as pyruvate carboxylase (biotin), pyruvate dehydrogenase (riboflavin and thiamine) and α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase … Continue reading →

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Aspartame Toxicity

Posted on September 1, 2012 by Robert Barrington

Aspartame is a commonly used artificial sweetener that is a methyl ester of an L-aspartate and L-phenylalanine dipeptide (L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester). Aspartame ingestion has been shown to result in some gastrointestinal discomfort including nausea, diarrhoea and abdominal pain. However, of … Continue reading →

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