1. What Is L-Tryptophan?
L-Tryptophan is an essential amino acid and one of the precursors of conversion in the human body. It cannot be synthesized by the human body and must be taken from food and health foods. Its molecular weight is also the largest among all natural amino acids.
The biggest function of tryptophan is to serve as a precursor of "serotonin" and "melatonin". These two hormones (or endocrine hormones) can help the human body relax and regulate sleep clock substances.
Sufficient tryptophan must be taken to secrete enough serotonin and melatonin, so tryptophan is also called "the accelerator of happy hormones".
According to the structure, it can be divided into left-handed tryptophan (L-tryptophan) and right-handed (R-tryptophan). Generally, the left-handed tryptophan is absorbed by the human body and sent to the brain for use, because the L isomer form conforms to the natural structure of the biological system and participates in protein synthesis and other biosynthetic processes.
What Are the Effects of l-Tryptophan?
1. Improve sleep and help fall asleep
According to a study by the Royal Society of Natural Sciences, insufficient tryptophan will reduce the amount of serotonin synthesis in the body. This will in turn reduce the brain's tryptophan melatonin conversion and affect sleep and biological clocks. Supplementing enough tryptophan from food can improve this situation, thereby achieving the effect of helping sleep and improving sleep conditions.
2. Boost spirits and make you happy
As the intake of tryptophan increases, serotonin secretion will also increase. Serotonin can affect the brain's limbic system and central nervous system, bringing the body effects of boosting spirits and making you happy.
3. Improve anxiety and depression
L tryptophan supplement can help regulate neuronal communication, improve mood and relieve symptoms of anxiety and depression.
4. Improves Premenstrual Syndrome in Women
A study published in the journal Biological Psychiatry showed that women who consume tryptophan during the luteal phase (approximately the 15th to 28th day of the menstrual cycle) can help improve symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, including irritability, mood swings, and irritability.
5. Maintain Youth and Regulate Inflammation
A 2019 Frontiers research review showed that tryptophan helps regulate inflammatory responses, balance metabolism, and maintain brain function. In addition, when the human body ages, the NAD+ in the body decreases, and the liver can help convert tryptophan into NAD+. Supplementing tryptophan can help the body maintain youthful vitality.
Three Major Groups Suitable for Tryptophan Supplementation
◆ Shift workers
Unstable working hours and the need to frequently adjust the biological clock can easily cause physiological day and night reversal and poor sleep quality. Supplementing tryptophan can help improve this situation.
◆ Menopausal women
Tryptophan supplementation can effectively improve the emotional instability, inability to relax and insomnia problems that occur during menopause.
◆ People who are under great pressure and prone to tension
Students and office workers often face heavy schoolwork and work pressure. Tryptophan supplementation can help relieve and improve mood to face daily challenges.