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Tryptophan
Tryptophan is a nutritionally essential amino acid. Essential amino
acids are those that cannot be created by other compounds of the
human body. Amino acids are groups of chemical substances that
form proteins. Proteins are extremely complex, naturally occurring
substances made of amino acids that are essential to the body's
structure and function.Tryptophan is essential for normal growth and
proper balance of nitrogen in the body. Nitrogen is a natural element
that is an essential building block of amino acids and nucleic acids.
Nucleic acids are substances found in all living things that play a
major role in the continuation of life.
The molecular structure of tryptophan.
Tryptophan is the preceding part of several important biocehmicals, including serotonin, melatonin, and
niacin (vitamin B3). Serotonin is a chemical messenger that contributes to feelings of well-being,
happiness, exerts a calming effect, and regulates sleep. Melatonin is a naturally occurring chemical that
can cause a sleepy feeling. A form of tryptophan, known as L-tryptophan, is found in turkey, pork, chicken,
and cheese. Since L-tryptophan has a sleep inducing effect, this is one reason you may feel sleepy after
eating turkey. When eating foods containing tryptophan, digestion causes other amino acids to be released
in the blood. These amino acids compete to enter the brain via a gateway known as the blood brain barrier.
However, when tryptophan is combined with foods (e.g., breads, cookies, cakes) containing
carbohydrates, the carbohydrates help carry L-tryptophan across the blood barrier so it does not need to
wait in line.
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Also, some amino acids that compete with tryptophan leave the blood and enter muscles, leaving more
tryptoman in the blood. For L-tryptophan to have this sleep inducing effect in humans, it needs to be
combined with. The chemical name of tryptophan is 2-Amino-3-(3-indolyl)-propionic acid.
