PSYC 2306 Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: Tryptophan, Seasonal Affective Disorder, Maltose
15 Mar 2017
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Document Summary
Underlying biological bases of food cravings: nutritional neuroscience studies the effects of food on the brain, nutraceuticals: development of use of food as drugs. Eggs are for cognition and memory: fatty acids. High levels clog up arteries and capillaries hydrogenated fats in margarine, lard, etc. Fatty acids are essential and required in the human body: nutrigenomics: chronic diseases, genetic mutations and foods. Associated with corn cravings: mit: if carb cravers eat protein instead of carbs, they become grumpier, irritable and restless. A lot of fat makes you tired, lethargic and apathetic: tryptophan is an amino acid that is involved in synthesis of serotonin. Insulin after high carb meal gives it competitive advantage. Tryptophan ratio in blood increases and can bind to albumin which carries it across barrier to brain. Sugar: sugar and addiction: highly rewarding in the reward system of the brain.
