The Tryptophan Secret:
A Natural Remedy for Stress and Anxiety?
The
chances are you've been eating tryptophan regularly without even knowing!
Tryptophan is widely available in a variety of foods but what exactly is it and
how does it benefit you? Which vitamin
does tryptophan helps to synthesize? Is it true that tryptophan assists in the
production of a vital neurotransmitter?
More than Just Another Amino Acid
Tryptophan
is one of the amino acids needed for protein syntheis in the body, and needs to
be included as part of the regular diet. Tryptophan is not made in the body and
is one of the so-called essential amino acids. Natural food sources of
tryptophan include turkey, cottage cheese, bananas, peanuts, pumpkin seeds,
brown rice, poultry, milk, yoghurt, salmon, tuna, red meat and eggs. So which
vitamin does tryptophan produce?
Tryptophan
is one of the so-called precursors of vitamin B3 in the body or niacin as it is
also called. Niacin supports the normal functioning of the nervous system, as
well as the maintenance of normal skin, mucous membranes and more importantly,
normal psychological function as well as the reduction of tiredness and
fatigue. For the successful production
of niacin in the body, iron, vitamin B2 (riboflavin) and B6 must also be present.
Monthly Blues and Mood Swings: is Tryptophan a Natural
Anti-Depressant?
Many
of us have heard of the so-called 'happy hormone,' serotonin. In order for our
bodies to make serotonin, tryptophan is a must. Produced in the pineal gland in
the brain, digestive tract and blood platelets, serotinin helps to regulate
moods and anxieties and is thought of as one of the body's most important
chemicals in relation to mood swings.
Too
little serotinin is associated with lowered moods and an increase in stress
levels. As a precursor of serotonin (that is a substance needed to make
another), tryptophan is widely used as a natural anti-depressant and mood
enhancer. Tryptophan supplements are
often used to assist the moods caused by
menopause and the monthly blues of menstruation.
If
depression or low moods were just produced by chemical or physical conditions,
then tryptophan would be a great natural solution. However, other important
factors outside the realm of 'brain chemicals' play a contributive and important
role in our wellbeing. These include experiences of loss and pain in our lives
that can have a damaging mental impact on our mental health.
To Sleep or Not To Sleep
Serotonin
itself is needed for the production of another valuable hormone called melatonin.
Melatonin is recognised as a natural sleep aid, helping to increase sleepiness
and a decrease in time taken to get to sleep. Trytophan therefore plays another
essential role in the production of melatonin.
Melatonin
helps to maintain the body's sleep-wake patterns. Its production is stimulated
by darkness and suppressed by light, so we naturally produce more melatonin at
night than during the day. Changes in our sleep/wake schedules can easily
disrupt melatonin production levels, for example travel and shift work.
Not Just a Protein Making Amino Acid
Tryptophan
is not just a protein-synthesizing amino acid. As well as contributing to
essential protein production, tryptophan is involved in serotonin and
melatonin production levels which in
turn, greatly enhance our well-being and chance of peaceful sleep. Tryptophan
also aids normal niacin production. It is certainly one of the amino acids with
multi-functions that give it that extra special place in terms of our
well-being.
