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L-Tryptophan is the essential amino acid that acts as a precursor to serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood, sleep, and appetite. By increasing serotonin levels, L-tryptophan can help alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety, reduce stress, and enhance overall emotional well-being.  L-tryptophan is also a precursor to melatonin, a hormone that can improve sleep quality

We like Metabolic Maintenance’s brand of L-tryptophan because this company has been supporting health and wellness with science-based formulas for over 40 years.  They use quality ingredients, free from common allergens and without unnecessary binders, preservatives or stearates.

About this product

L-tryptophan is an “essential” amino acid, found naturally in animal and plant proteins that our bodies can’t produce. It must be acquired from your diet.

Foods that contain tryptophan include chicken, turkey, fish, cheese, milk, nuts, seeds, and soy. L-tryptophan is needed to produce and maintain proteins, muscles, enzymes and neurotransmitters in the body. When our body absorbs tryptophan, it is converted into 5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan), and then later transformed into serotonin. Serotonin is a hormone that transmits signals between nerve cells. Changes in the level of serotonin in the brain can alter mood, which is why L-tryptophan is used to treat depression, anxiety and insomnia.

One of the most important benefits of L-tryptophan is its ability to improve duration and quality of sleep. After L-tryptophan is transformed into serotonin, the excess serotonin is transformed into melatonin (the sleep hormone). In depth studies have proven that increased levels of melatonin can treat insomnia and may resolve sleep disorders without side effects or the fear of addiction. See our article on melatonin for more information.

Healthy levels of serotonin and L-tryptophan are associated with mood and many researchers believe that an imbalance of these levels can trigger depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and other emotional issues. In a 2015 women’s study, it was discovered that taking L-tryptophan supplements daily at bedtime improved mood, cognitive ability, and the happiness of the participants. A 1985 study showed a significant reduction in anxiety of participants with diverse types of anxiety and a 2002 study on the effects of tryptophan on depression resulted in reduced symptoms of depression . It has been well documented that the higher the tryptophan levels, the better the mood.

L-tryptophan can significantly reduce the symptoms of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) including mood swings, tension and irritability. PMDD is classified as a depressive disorder which is not the same as clinical depression as it occurs only during the second half of the menstrual cycle, after ovulation, resolving within a few days of starting your period. PMDD affects 2-6% of women and differs from PMS in the severity of symptoms and the consequences of the mood changes. In a placebo-controlled trial, L-tryptophan significantly reduced the symptoms of PMDD and PMS including mood swings, tension, an irritability, improving overall emotional well-being.

For weight loss, L-tryptophan can play a role as low levels of serotonin have been related to an increase of appetite, but this has not been adequately studied. Tryptophan appears not to reduce weight directly, but it may contribute to blocking carbohydrate cravings. Also, an improved mood can reduce emotional eating and can lead to better adherence to a healthy diet and exercise routine.

As mentioned, tryptophan is the precursor of serotonin (5-HTP) and it is now known that low serotonin levels are related to the deterioration of cognitive performance, specifically memory. There are numerous studies examining the effect of tryptophan on memory and one possible explanation for the observed improvement may be the interaction between tryptophan and microtubule proteins that are key components in the functional development of neurons and neural network connectivity. This research may lead to cognitive improvements of patients with Alzheimer’s disease as well as others with impaired memory functions.

Contents

1 capsule provides:

Vitamin B-6 (as Pyridoxine HCl) 10 mg
L-Tryptophan (TryptoPure™) 500 mg

Other Ingredients: Vegetarian cellulose capsule

This product does not contain artificial flavoring or dyes, added fillers or binders, preservatives, stearates, ingredients of animal origin, dairy, egg, gluten, tree nut or peanut.

Cautions

Always take natural remedies under the supervision of your health care provider. L-tryptophan can interact with a variety of medications, including antidepressants such as SSRIs, MAO inhibitors, and tricyclic antidepressants which can cause a potentially life-threating excess of serotonin in the body known as serotonin syndrome. Consult your health care provider before taking L-tryptophan if you take medications for depression.

Use only under the supervision of a health care provider if taking sedative mediation (CNS depressants) as L-tryptophan may cause slowed breathing and sleepiness.

Do not use during pregnancy or lactation unless under the guidance of your physician; use of L-tryptophan is not generally recommended during pregnancy and there isn’t enough information regarding safe use during lactation.