History of L-Tryptophan
L-Tryptophan was first discovered in 1901 by Sir Frederick Hopkins during hydrolysis of casein. Crude casein produces L-Tryptophan. It is also produced by plants and microorganisms. L-Tryptophan in humans comes from food containing protein. It is produced through industrial means through a fermentation of serine and indole using E.coli. Today it has been sold under the brand name Alti-Tryptophan. It is a commonly used drug for mood disorders, like depression and bipolar disorder. It is also available as a dietary supplement and has been used in treatment of alcoholics and smokers going through withdraw. In 1989 there was an outbreak of users developing eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome. Some cases resulted in death. All of the people experiencing the syndrome were taking L-Tryptophan from Japan. It was found to have toxins in it. At that time the FDA in the United States put a hold on all sales of L-Tryptophan. The hold on sales has been lifted and now most L-Tryptophan sales are as dietary supplements, which are not regulated by the FDA.
Overview of L-TryptophanL-Tryptophan is one of eight essential amino acids. It is found naturally in the body and it is also made synthetically. L-Tryptophan is used in biosynthesis and it is used in the process of making serotonin and niacin. It must be obtained through the diet and is found readily in protein containing foods. However, the cooking and processing of foods eliminates most of the L-Tryptophan they contain. The main benefit of L-Tryptophan is its antidepressant effects. A deficiency of L-Tryptophan can lead to depression or other mood disorders, among other health problems. L-Tryptophan helps to increase serotonin levels which work in the central nervous system to moderate mood. Taking an L-Tryptophan supplement can be very beneficial in many ways. Additionally, there are certain health conditions that can be well controlled through the use of this supplement.
Benefits of L-TryptophanL-Tryptophan is widely recognized as an antidepressant. The reason that it works in this way is because of how it processes in the body. L-Tryptophan processes into serotonin and niacin which both aid in regulation of mood and hormones. Serotonin works in the central nerve system. It helps to moderate emotions, mood, sleep, body temperature, sexuality, appetite and metabolism. It is a main controller of anger and aggression. Obviously, the better balance there is of serotonin in the body the better control a person has over their emotions and mood. This is directly linked to the antidepressant effects of L-Tryptophan. Taking a supplement can create a higher level of serotonin production in people who have low levels. Niacin, also known as Vitamin B3, helps the process of DNA repair and in production of steroid hormones. Steroid hormones work in many different ways, from regulating the body's natural time clock to controlling sexual urges. An imbalance of these hormones could cause mood swings, trouble sleeping and other issues. By introducing more L-Tryptophan to the body, it enables there to be more niacin production which can ensure these hormones stay balanced. The basic idea of the benefits from L-Tryptophan is to ensure that the work it does in the body is on track. People who lack enough L-Tryptophan may end up deficient in serotonin and niacin which then leads to problems. Low levels of serotonin and niacin can cause huge issues with controlling anger, aggression and moods. It can also cause problems sleeping and issues with sexual drive. People with low levels may also gain or loss rapid weight. There is a range of different things that can occur, some severe. People who are deficient usually will suffer from mood problems, ranging from depression to bipolar disorder to seasonal stress disorder. They may also suffer from obesity or have chronic sleeping problems. Usually people diagnosed with these problems will be shown to have lower than normal levels of serotonin and niacin.
Health Claims of L-TryptophanL-Tryptophan has many uses. It is mostly used as an antidepressant. Doctors have routinely prescribed L-Tryptophan to patients suffering from major depression because of the mood lifting benefits of the drug. It is often used in conjunction with Lithium. When other medications or combination of medications fail to produce results, L-Tryptophan can help reduce the need for a higher dose of Lithium by amplifying the results of the Lithium. Since L-Tryptophan is mainly a mood lifting drug, it is also used to help people who are trying to quit smoking to help balance out the withdrawal symptoms. It has also been shown to be beneficial to recovering alcoholics to also suppress withdrawal symptoms. The L-Tryptophan helps to increase the serotonin and niacin levels in the body so the body can better regulate those common feelings experienced during withdrawal. Taking L-Tryptophan will not make a person not want to smoke or drink, but rather it will help them be able to control their moods, emotions and face symptoms better. L-Tryptophan is also the chemical found in turkey that is said to lead to that sleepy effect that people get after eating turkey. With this in mind it has also served as a sleep aid when taken as a supplement. The same general sleepiness that comes after eating a turkey dinner can be produced through taking an L-Tryptophan supplement. It is a simple, non-chemical way to help with sleep problems. Additionally, it is natural and something that is not likely to become habit forming. L-Tryptophan also helps people during weight loss. Since serotonin helps regulate the appetite and L-Tryptophan helps produce serotonin, L-Tryptophan supplements can be very helpful as a diet aid because of this reaction. When taking L-Tryptophan a person's body will better be able to determine when it is hungry and when it is not. There is less confusion as the body's serotonin levels are high, which enables it to be more precise with appetite reactions. L-Tryptophan is used in these cases to help increase the levels of serotonin and niacin in the body. As mentioned, people who suffer from the above issues usually show low levels of serotonin and niacin when tested. By giving them an L-Tryptophan supplement these levels can be brought back up so the body can function normally.
Recommended Daily Allowance of L-TryptophanThe recommended daily allowance of L-Tryptophan varies based upon the reason for use. People taking it for depression may take a dosage as high as 3000 mg while someone using it to help quit smoking may only need 500 mg a day. No matter what dosage is taken it has been found that in order to benefit from it in any way it must be taken on an empty stomach. This is likely due to digestion so that none of the drug is lost during the process. L-Tryptophan may cause problems when taking with other medication. It may also cause manic episodes in certain patients with bipolar disorder. Anyone being treated for mood disorders is encouraged to discuss all medications and dosages with a trusted physician who knows their history and can track their progress and symptoms.
Summary of L-TryptophanMany supplements on the market are substances found in the body. L-Tryptophan is no different. Everybody has it occurring naturally in their body and most people will consume foods containing it on a daily basis. Supplements are not regulated by the FDA as chemically produced substances are, but they are less likely to cause adverse reactions or problems in the body like FDA regulated substances are. The reason why L-Tryptophan seems to be a popular supplement is that it can act as a way to boost the effects of serotonin and niacin in the body. When a person takes an L-Tryptophan supplement they are giving their body more of it so it can be used to make more serotonin and more niacin. The result of taking the supplement is improvement in mood and the ability to better control mood. There may also be other effects since serotonin and niacin control more than just mood and emotions. However, the main benefit and use for L-Tryptophan is as a way to balance moods, especially in those whose bodies do not naturally have that ability. L-Tryptophan has been tested in numerous studies and has been used for decades in the medical field. After the scare of 1989, though, L-Tryptophan has become more of a dietary supplement than a medically prescribed drug. The benefits are still the same, though. For a person suffering from a mood disorder L-Tryptophan may be able to provide the relief needed. The best thing about using L-Tryptophan over prescribed drugs is there is less risk for an allergic reaction or adverse effects since L-Tryptophan is something already found in the body. Of course, talking with a health care professional before taking L-Tryptophan is advised to ensure it will not react with any medication currently being taken. Like other mood enhancing supplements, such as SSRI, L-Tryptophan is most likely to be found where dietary supplements are sold. A good place to find it is online where it can be purchased cheaply and often in bulk orders. | |||||
