Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDefinitionWhat It DoesSourcesTryptophan Imbalance
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Definition
What It Does
Sources
Tryptophan Imbalance
Tryptophanis an essential amino acid. It is converted intoserotonin,melatonin, and vitamin B-3 (niacin). Tryptophan is also needed for normal infant growth and the production and maintenance of proteins, muscles, enzymes, and neurotransmitters.
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate supplements the way it regulates prescription drugs. That means some supplement products may not contain what the label says. Whenchoosing a supplement, look for independently tested products and consult a healthcare provider, registered dietitian nutritionist (RD or RDN), or pharmacist.
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What Is Tryptophan?
Tryptophan is an essential amino acid, meaning the body cannot produce it. Tryptophan is necessary for vital bodily processes, so it must be acquired throughplant and animal sourcesin our diet.
What Does Tryptophan Do?
The body uses tryptophan to produce:
The body needs enough iron, riboflavin, and vitamin B-6 to change dietary tryptophan into niacin.
Tryptophan is also necessary for the production of the body’s:
Does Turkey Make You Tired?
The notion that the tryptophan in turkey is responsible for post-Thanksgiving drowsiness is a myth.
Sources of Tryptophan
Tryptophan can be found in foods such as:
Getting tryptophan into the brain can be tricky as it competes for entry with other amino acids.
Consumingcarbohydrateswith tryptophan-containingproteinfoods can help tryptophan get past the brain’s gatekeeper. When you consume carbohydrates, the body produces insulin. This sends other amino acids to muscle tissue, leaving tryptophan in the bloodstream with less competition for entry to the brain.
Should You Take Tryptophan Supplements?
Tryptophan is available as an herbal supplement, but its safety and efficacy are debated. Some experts advise against taking it. These supplements are not regulated and may contain harmful substances such as toxic metals or other drugs, mainly when purchased from Internet vendors, unreliable sources, or suppliers outside the United States.
Tryptophan supplements are considered unsafe to use during pregnancy and also may be unsafe to take while breastfeeding.
They may cause side effects such as blurred vision, dizziness, and fatigue.
Tryptophan Supplements WarningTryptophan supplements may worsen some health conditions and/or interact with some medications. Don’t take tryptophan supplements if you take:Antidepressants/anxiolytics, such as tricyclics, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)Zyvox (linezolid), an antibioticCarbidopa, used in combination with levodopa to treat and manage Parkinson’s diseaseFor most people, a varied and balanced diet will provide adequate tryptophan without needing a supplement. If you are considering taking a tryptophan supplement, talk to your healthcare provider first.
Tryptophan Supplements Warning
Tryptophan supplements may worsen some health conditions and/or interact with some medications. Don’t take tryptophan supplements if you take:Antidepressants/anxiolytics, such as tricyclics, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)Zyvox (linezolid), an antibioticCarbidopa, used in combination with levodopa to treat and manage Parkinson’s diseaseFor most people, a varied and balanced diet will provide adequate tryptophan without needing a supplement. If you are considering taking a tryptophan supplement, talk to your healthcare provider first.
Tryptophan supplements may worsen some health conditions and/or interact with some medications. Don’t take tryptophan supplements if you take:
For most people, a varied and balanced diet will provide adequate tryptophan without needing a supplement. If you are considering taking a tryptophan supplement, talk to your healthcare provider first.
What Happens if Your Tryptophan Is Out of Balance?
A tryptophan deficiency may cause symptoms such as:
Symptoms of pellagra can include:
Pellagracan be fatal if left untreated.
The kynurenine pathway is necessary for functions such as the synthesis of niacin. Still, in order to maintain health, there needs to be a balance between these functions and the production of serotonin andmelatonin.
Researchers continue to explore the potential effects of imbalances related to tryptophan on the body.
Summary
Tryptophanis an essential amino acid. The body uses it to produce serotonin, melatonin, and niacin. It also helps to produce proteins,enzymes, and muscle tissue.
11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Tryptophan.University of Michigan Health.L-tryptophan.MedlinePlus.L-Tryptophan.Höglund E, Øverli Ø, Winberg S.Tryptophan metabolic pathways and brain serotonergic activity: a comparative review. Front Endocrinol. 2019;10:158. doi:10.3389/fendo.2019.00158Gostner JM, Geisler S, Stonig M, Mair L, Sperner-Unterweger B, Fuchs D.Tryptophan metabolism and related pathways in psychoneuroimmunology: the impact of nutrition and lifestyle.Neuropsychobiology. 2020;79(1):89-99. doi:10.1159/000496293PubChem.Tryptophan.Michigan State University.Trending – tryptophan.American Chemical Society.L-tryptophan.University of Rochester Medical Center.L-tryptophan.Britannica.Pellagra.Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health.Why does tryptophan in turkey make us sleepy?
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Tryptophan.University of Michigan Health.L-tryptophan.MedlinePlus.L-Tryptophan.Höglund E, Øverli Ø, Winberg S.Tryptophan metabolic pathways and brain serotonergic activity: a comparative review. Front Endocrinol. 2019;10:158. doi:10.3389/fendo.2019.00158Gostner JM, Geisler S, Stonig M, Mair L, Sperner-Unterweger B, Fuchs D.Tryptophan metabolism and related pathways in psychoneuroimmunology: the impact of nutrition and lifestyle.Neuropsychobiology. 2020;79(1):89-99. doi:10.1159/000496293PubChem.Tryptophan.Michigan State University.Trending – tryptophan.American Chemical Society.L-tryptophan.University of Rochester Medical Center.L-tryptophan.Britannica.Pellagra.Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health.Why does tryptophan in turkey make us sleepy?
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Tryptophan.University of Michigan Health.L-tryptophan.MedlinePlus.L-Tryptophan.Höglund E, Øverli Ø, Winberg S.Tryptophan metabolic pathways and brain serotonergic activity: a comparative review. Front Endocrinol. 2019;10:158. doi:10.3389/fendo.2019.00158Gostner JM, Geisler S, Stonig M, Mair L, Sperner-Unterweger B, Fuchs D.Tryptophan metabolism and related pathways in psychoneuroimmunology: the impact of nutrition and lifestyle.Neuropsychobiology. 2020;79(1):89-99. doi:10.1159/000496293PubChem.Tryptophan.Michigan State University.Trending – tryptophan.American Chemical Society.L-tryptophan.University of Rochester Medical Center.L-tryptophan.Britannica.Pellagra.Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health.Why does tryptophan in turkey make us sleepy?
MedlinePlus.Tryptophan.
University of Michigan Health.L-tryptophan.
MedlinePlus.L-Tryptophan.
Höglund E, Øverli Ø, Winberg S.Tryptophan metabolic pathways and brain serotonergic activity: a comparative review. Front Endocrinol. 2019;10:158. doi:10.3389/fendo.2019.00158
Gostner JM, Geisler S, Stonig M, Mair L, Sperner-Unterweger B, Fuchs D.Tryptophan metabolism and related pathways in psychoneuroimmunology: the impact of nutrition and lifestyle.Neuropsychobiology. 2020;79(1):89-99. doi:10.1159/000496293
PubChem.Tryptophan.
Michigan State University.Trending – tryptophan.
American Chemical Society.L-tryptophan.
University of Rochester Medical Center.L-tryptophan.
Britannica.Pellagra.
Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health.Why does tryptophan in turkey make us sleepy?
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