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TryptophanTryptophan is an essential amino acid well known as a natural relaxant. It increases melatonin levels in the body. The hormone melatonin causes sleepiness. Tryptophan is the starting point of serotonin. The amount of tyrptophan in the body directly affects the amount of active serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is responsible for your mood, your ability to sleep well, and your food cravings. Because of its role in making serotonin, this amino acid plays an important role in regulating mood, sleep cycles, and the perception of pain. Proper absorption of tryptophan requires vitamin B6, vitamin C, folic acid, and magnesium. Vitamin B6 can actually reduce the risk of toxic buildup from this amino acid and its by-products. Remember to add these nutrients to get the most from tryptophan.
Food Sources: Good sources food sources include turkey, milk, and cheese. It is also available in flesh foods, eggs, and some nuts and seeds. Lower amounts are found in corn and other cereal grains. Vegetarian sources include nutritional yeast, soy, almonds, algae, and spirulina.
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