Micronutrient Health Blog | SpectraCell Laboratories - December 2016

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News that matters for your health.

The Little Known Nutrient That May Be Helpful for PTSD Victims

Serine, an amino acid, is a micronutrient with which many people are unfamiliar. This may be a reason why its role in mental health remains largely underappreciated. Serine’s major role is in the production of neurotransmitters. Specifically, it increases the “feel-good” hormones dopamine and serotonin, but it does so without the corresponding hyperactivity or compulsive behavior that often occurs with drug therapies that stimulate a single neurotransmitter. It also buffers the adrenal respo... Read More
Posted by Elissa Rodriguez at Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Why This Mineral (or Lack of It) May Be The Key to Thyroid Problems

The thyroid gland, located in the neck, produces a variety of thyroid hormones. These regulate virtually every aspect of metabolism: body temperature, mood, sex hormones, energy levels, and even impact one’s appearance, from hair and nails to skin and waistline.  Less understood about thyroid hormones is that there are two basic types – T3 and T4 (so named for the number of iodine molecules each has) –  and they serve different biological functions.  T4, which is made in the th... Read More
Posted by Elissa Rodriguez at Wednesday, December 14, 2016

The Good and Bad News About Chromium and Blood Sugar

Chromium is a trace metal that plays a role in metabolizing carbohydrates.  It is the central molecule of glucose tolerance factor (GTF), a compound that helps insulin attach to a cell’s receptors. This allows glucose to be taken up by a cell and used for fuel, rather than continue circulating in the bloodstream and eventually wreaking havoc on blood vessels and organs.  When chromium is deficient in the body, glucose cannot be metabolized properly. This sets the stage for insulin r... Read More
Posted by Elissa Rodriguez at Thursday, December 1, 2016