| The answer to your question is that too much protein may inhibit the production of serotonin in women. The opposite is true for men: not enough protein for men inhibits the production of dopamine in the brain.
Very few residents of the United States are protein deficient. Our meals are primarily centered on the meat (or protein) of a meal so almost everyone, except strict vegetarians, ingests sufficient levels of protein; however, the quality of the protein is often less than ideal.
Many people think protein is protein, but that is not true. The qualitative comparison between steak and whey protein is not equal. Whey protein has a much higher quality and is more readily assimilated by your brain without overtaxing your liver to process it. Another excellent source of protein that provides men with increased dopamine is fava beans. Men and women need about 50% of their calories from healthy carbohydrates to produce ideal brain chemistry. But from there, differences emerge. Men need 30% protein and 20% fat, while women need 20% protein and 30% fat. Women already have enough dopamine so they do not need the extra protein for that neurotransmitter. What women are all too often deficient in is serotonin.
More fat (good fat like Omega 3 from cold water fish or flax seed) for women stimulates the production of prostaglandins, which helps to balance her hormones and stimulate production of serotonin.
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