Tryptophan

Tryptophan is an Essential Amino Acid found in many foods, such as turkey. Being an Essential Amino Acid means it needs to be obtained from your daily diet, your body cannot produce it. Tryptophan is found in many common foods, such as meats, seeds, nuts, eggs, dairy products, spirulina and several plant sources. Tryptophan is involved in the body's process to make proteins, the neurotransmitters serotonin and melatonin and the B vitamin niacin.

 Tryptophan - Health Benefits

 Tryptophan - Substances Enhanced by

 Tryptophan - Metabolic Pathway

Environmental Toxins

 Tryptophan may reduce the toxic effects of Carbon Tetrachloride on the Liver.  ^[1]

Carbohydrates

 Dietary Carbohydrates facilitate the entry of Tryptophan into the Brain if they are consumed at the same time as Tryptophan.

 Apple Pectin may inhibit the diversion of Tryptophan into its toxic metabolite, Kynuerine, thereby increasing the amount of Tryptophan available for the synthesis of Proteins and Hormones.  This action of Apple Pectin occurs from Apple Pectin inhibiting the Tryptophan Pyrrolase enzyme.  ^[2]

Enzymes

 Chymotrypsin is the Endopeptidase Proteolytic Digestive Enzyme responsible for "breaking down" the Carboxyl Groups contained in Tryptophan.

 Tryptophan Hydroxylase catalyzes the conversion of Tryptophan to 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP).  ^[3]

 Tryptophan Pyrrolase catalyzes the conversion of Tryptophan to Kynurenine.

Minerals

 Magnesium may enhance the function of Tryptophan. 

 Zinc may enhance the function of Tryptophan.