L-tryptophan

L-Tryptophan helps treat depression and lift mood

L-Tryptophan is an essential amino acid that we must have for positive wellbeing and good mental attitude. It helps to create Serotonin, which is a neurotransmitter for wellbeing and also helps other mind and body functions. As we do not produce this amino acid naturally, it’s important that we take it in through our diet and also in supplement form if required.

As one of the 20 standard amino acids and also an essential amino acid, tryptophan is vital to our diet. Quite simply, we cannot function without it. Tryptophan food sources are numerous and varied, but it can sometimes be difficult for the body to process this valuable amino acid effectively.

Tryptophan can’t be made naturally by our bodies, so we need to get it from other sources, like food or an L-Tryptophan supplement. It’s an essential building block, helping to convert the proteins behind our key bodily and mental functions, while L-Tryptophan also acts as a precursor to serotonin production.

Regulating key functions such as appetite, sleep and positive moods, there are also a number of wider L-Tryptophan benefits. It can lessen anxiety and help with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). And research has also indicated that L-Tryptophan may help people to quit smoking, and with specific conditions such as premenstrual dysphoric disorder and seasonal affective disorder, or SAD. SAD is triggered by a lack of sunlight in the winter months, which can darken our moods and lead to depression. 

Tryptophan food sources Vs an L-tryptophan supplement

There are many good, everyday food sources of L-tryptophan including:

• Fish – including cod, salmon, and tuna fillet.
• Meats – especially turkey and chicken
• Fruits – such as bananas, pineapple, kiwis, and plums
• Grains – rice, quinoa and whole wheat pasta
• Chocolate (especially dark chocolate)
• Seeds – including sesame seeds and pumpkin seeds.
• Dairy products – whole milk is best, although reduced fat milk is also a good source, as well as Greek yoghurt.

However, many of the foods that contain this key amino acid can have tryptophan’s potency diminished severely by cooking and processing. An L-Tryptophan supplement can help here.

As we’ve discovered, it’s essential that we get enough tryptophan to ensure we function properly. Having diminished tryptophan levels has been linked to lower general brain activity, while there are a lot of studies demonstrating that low serotonin levels are directly related to depression.

As tryptophan plays a key role in the creation of serotonin, using an L-Tryptophan depression remedy can help treat one of the world’s biggest medical conditions. It’s estimated that between 10 and 14 million people are medically depressed in any given year – and that’s in the US alone.

With l-tryptophan depression is tackled

As L-Tryptophan helps increase serotonin levels, using an L-Tryptophan depression treatment can be beneficial. Although there are plenty of tryptophan food sources that help us produce the body’s pleasure and mood enhancer serotonin, if food and diet are an issue then tryptophan depression remedies can provide a valuable serotonin boost.

With l-tryptophan sleep is deep and rejuvenating

An L-Tryptophan dosage helps production of melatonin – a natural hormone that regulates our sleep and waking patterns. L-Tryptophan does this by not only providing the stimulus for serotonin production but also melatonin production – so we get more/better quality sleep. With L-Tryptophan sleep is better and so our mood is positively affected too. And enhanced sleep comes with the reassurance that L-Tryptophan side effects – if experienced at all – are minimal.

L-tryptophan vs 5-HTP

Both L-Tryptophan and 5HTP help promote the natural production of serotonin. The key difference in L-Tryptophan v’s 5HTP is in the source of their main ingredient.

The difference between the two is:

• 5HTP is derived from seeds.
• The tryptophan in L-Tryptophan is derived from plants.

5HTP is also known as hydroxytryptophan 5HTP, and a natural precursor to serotonin. In fact, the body metabolizes tryptophan into hydroxytryptophan 5HTP which is then converted into serotonin.

Our L-Tryptophan is of the highest quality – it’s made in Germany and capsulated in the USA, ensuring the highest purity level, which ultimately means L-Tryptophan side effects are minimal. With L-Tryptophan sleep and mood are enhanced; it’s a natural feel-good serotonin facilitator and a safe way to stay feeling positive.

Caution:

Avoid combining L-Tryptophan with other serotonin increasing agents such as 5HTP or SSRI drugs, such as Prozac, without your physician’s advice.

Frequently Asked Questions About L-Tryptophan

Disclaimer: Please note that only your own physician can determine your precise needs, but in order to give you some information these answers are based upon the ‘average person’ and clinical / published results.