Tryptophan: One of the Eight Essential Amino Acids

One if the most commonly known and useful amino acids, Tryptophan is an essential amino acid that we must get from our diets or from supplements. The other seven essential amino acids are isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, and valine.

One of the main functions of Tryptophan is the production of niacin and serotonin, an important neurotransmitter that plays a key role in mood and sleep patterns. Because it can be used to control serotonin levels, Tryptophan is commonly used as a natural alternative to antidepressants. The benefits of using it to control depression include:

Unlike serotonin, Tryptophan can cross the blood-brain barrier for quicker, and more effective depression relief
Since it is all natural, Tryptophan doesn’t have the negative and harsh side effects of most conventional antidepressants
It is a naturally occurring compound found in most foods, so supplements are not regulated as a drug and are much cheaper than prescription antidepressants

Aside from its link to depression and other mood and personality disorders, low serotonin levels have also been linked to obesity. In some cases Tryptophan has been recommended to balance serotonin levels, working as an appetite suppressant and thus aiding in weight loss.

Commonly associated with the drowsy feeling following a large turkey dinner, Tryptophan can also be used as a mild sleep aid. The serotonin produced by it is a precursor to melatonin, a hormone vital to the sleep process. It is widely believed that combining melatonin and Tryptophan supplements can be an effective alternative to some dependence-forming prescription sleep aids.

If you have any questions about this or any of our other supplements, please contact us and we will be happy to help you.

Tryptophan: One of Eight Essential Amino Acids