Re: Serotonin & digestive motility

[Guest guest]

thank you - great info and yes please keep us updated

eileen

>

> Several of you have asked about serotonin and its role in

digestion. Serotonin is a biochemical/neurotransmitter involved in

brain function that is used in the gut to help regulate digestive

functions; also helps us sleep, modulates anger and aggression, body

temperature, mood, appetite, metabolism, controls vomiting to some

degree....

>

> An interesting fact that 80-90% of the body's serotonin is found in

the human GI tract, in the enterochromaffin cells located there.

>

> I'm still trying to understand how the body synthesizes serotonin,

and how the neurotransmitter works. If you've heard of 5-HTP and/or

tryptophan, then you're talking about serotonin.

>

> Wikipedia has a good, basic article on serotonin.

> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serotonin

>

> I did a lot of reading on it just after diagnosis 5 years ago, but

didn't bookmark any websites at the time. You can Google the words --

serotonin digestion -- and find a lot of helpful websites in the

first two pages. One of the interesting ones is:

> http://neuromolecular.wordpress.com/category/digestion/

>

> I work in a library, so have access to medical references in

addition to several databases of medical journals. I looked for

books on the neurological aspect to digestion, but didn't find much

in my local library system. However, I did come across a very

helpful book mentioned in many articles, and borrowed it through my

library's Interlibrary loan process.

>

> It's an excellent book. The Second brain, by Gershon. I

don't think it's in print any longer. I want to read it again, so

I'm looking for a used copy to purchase. Lots of good information,

although some of it is very technical. At the time I had

difficulties with the neurological terminology, but I've learned a

lot since then and need to reread the book.

>

> The gist of many experts is that altered neurotransmitters and

biochemicals, in particular serotonin, may be the cause of many

digestive disorders and dysfunctions. Unfortunately this is an area

of medicine that hasn't been studied enough yet, so doctors are

having to guess and try different approaches.

>

> I'll be having another conversation on serotonin with my

gastroenterologist when I see him next month, as I'm not doing too

well with the occasional dose of Zelnorm. I'm hoping he'll suggest

some other options for increasing my serotonin levels. If I learn

anything more on this issue, I'll post an update.

>

> Kim M.

> SCD 5 years

> Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction, GP, IBS-C 5+ years

> neurological deterioration 2+ years

>