Protein and serotonin
This article about the science behind noisy eyeballs really fascinates me.
Although my eyeballs don't make noises, I suffer from problems blocking out exterior noise such that I find it difficult to work in even an averagely noisy office. I always attributed this to some form of autism, but the idea that it might be attached to my tendency to depression via lack of serotonin, and possibly remedied by sufficient protein (in particular, the amino acid tryptophan) is an exciting prospect.
I have long been a believer that protein is key to good nutrition - for example, getting enough seems to prevent me craving sweet or starchy food. But I doubt most people - vegetarians, vegans and those watching their weight especially - are getting anywhere near enough. You need 50g a day (more if you're exercising) - that's a litre of yoghurt, 200g of cheese, 3.5 eggs or 1kg of hummus.
This is not the same as saying that vegies should just get some meat - you can certainly get enough protein on a vege or vegan diet, but very likely not without paying attention to it and knowing where it is and isn't coming from.
Searching what you eat on the Nutrition Data website might be a good start.
Current obsession: Spots on my face. Irritating. Squirrels gave them to me.
Point of fashion: Floaty purple skirt for Scottish Country Dancing tonight
Although my eyeballs don't make noises, I suffer from problems blocking out exterior noise such that I find it difficult to work in even an averagely noisy office. I always attributed this to some form of autism, but the idea that it might be attached to my tendency to depression via lack of serotonin, and possibly remedied by sufficient protein (in particular, the amino acid tryptophan) is an exciting prospect.
I have long been a believer that protein is key to good nutrition - for example, getting enough seems to prevent me craving sweet or starchy food. But I doubt most people - vegetarians, vegans and those watching their weight especially - are getting anywhere near enough. You need 50g a day (more if you're exercising) - that's a litre of yoghurt, 200g of cheese, 3.5 eggs or 1kg of hummus.
This is not the same as saying that vegies should just get some meat - you can certainly get enough protein on a vege or vegan diet, but very likely not without paying attention to it and knowing where it is and isn't coming from.
Searching what you eat on the Nutrition Data website might be a good start.
Current obsession: Spots on my face. Irritating. Squirrels gave them to me.
Point of fashion: Floaty purple skirt for Scottish Country Dancing tonight