Amino acids must compete

Limited access They're one of the reasons we might feel calm after eating a large plate of pasta,or more alert after a protein-rich meal.The complex combinations of compounds in food can stimulate brain cells to release mood-altering norepinephrine,dopamine,and serotonin.But getting to your brain cells is tricky,and amino acids have to compete for limited access.A diet with a range of foods helps maintain a balanced combination of brain messengers,and keeps your mood from getting skewed in one direction or the other.Like the other organs in our bodies,our brains also benefit from a steady supply of micronutrients.