Tryptophan

Scientific Name:  (S)-2-Amino3-(1H-indol-3-yl)-propionic acid (C11H12N2O2).

Other Names:  Trp, W.

Tryptophan is one of the twenty common amino acids encoded in the genetic code and found in animal proteins. 

It is considered an essential amino acid in humans due to the fact that the human body cannot produce tryptophan naturally, and it must be derived from some external source. 

Only the L-stereoisomer is found in mammalian protein, while the D-stereoisomer is sometimes found in natural materials.

Sources of Tryptophan: Tryptophan is a natural component of many dietary protein sources, particularly in bananas, oats, chocolate, yogurt, milk, cottage cheese, fish, poultry, red meat, some seeds, and peanuts.

Home Remedies using Tryptophan:

Benefits and Uses of Tryptophan:

Tryptophan is a precursor for important elements in the body, including the neurotransmitter serotonin, the hormone melatonin, and niacin. 

Tryptophan also functions as a corepressor, a molecule that cooperates with a repressor protein to switch off an operon.

Uses of Tryptophan:

5-HTP, a metabolite of tryptophan, has been implicated as a treatment for epilepsy and depression, though clinical trials for both are inconclusive at this point. 

As a supplement, it is usually sold as the L-stereoisomer and used as a safe (non-habit forming) sleep aid due to its ability to increase levels of serotonin and melatonin. 

It also shows promise as a treatment for depression and chronic pain, as well as manic, addictive, compulsive, obsessive, impulsive, violent, and anxiety-related behaviors and disorders.

Side Effects of Tryptophan:

Eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome (EMS), an autoimmune illness that can be disabling and even deadly, was traced to a source of L-tryptophan after its original outbreak in 1989. 

This led to the sale of tryptophan products from being sold in the US marketplace.  However, purification processes have been changed and improved, and it has been reintroduced in a safer form.

Additional Information for Tryptophan:

It is popularly believed that eating the tryptophan in turkey induces sleepiness, which is entirely possible due to proven effects of the amino acid. 

However, the content in the turkey is no higher than any other meat product, and it is scientifically shown this myth is perpetuated due to the body’s response to the introduction of large amounts of food, which causes a spike in insulin and is the main cause of sleepiness at holidays (sometimes aided by the consumption of alcohol).