Foods and food constituents that affect the brain and human behavior
1986
Lieberman, H.R. | Wurtman, R.J.
A brief literature review examines mechanisms whereby foods and food constituents can affect the brain and human behavior via their effects on the activity of neurotransmitter systems, and discusses possible dietary implications related to potential behavioral effects. These mechanisms vary, depending on the neurotransmitter in question (e.g., brain levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin is affected by the ratio of its dietary precursor, tryptophan, to the other large neutral amino acids in plasma). Data on the effect of tryptophan and tyrosine on 6 different mood states are presented and discussed. While the effects of foods and food constituents on human behavior are subtle compared to those produced by psychoactive drugs, present evidence documents that such dietary-induced effects can occur.(wz)
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