As an essential amino acid, L-Tryptophan is necessary for normal growth in infants and for nitrogen balance in adults, which cannot be synthesized from more basic substances in humans and other animals, suggesting that it is obtained only by intake of tryptophan or tryptophan-containing proteins for human body, which is particularly plentiful in chocolate, oats, milk, cottage cheese, red meat, eggs, fish, poultry, sesame, almonds, buckwheat, spirulina, and peanuts, etc. It can be used as a nutritional supplement for use as an antidepressant, anxiolytic, and sleep aid. Thus, L-Tryptophan can be used for depression, anxiety, sleep apnea, premenstrual syndrome and many other problems. Besides, it can also be used in managing pain tolerance and managing weight.
It works by increasing the levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain called serotonin. People suffer from depression have an imbalance of serotonin and other brain chemicals. Thus, the increase of serotonin levels in the brain can improve symptoms of depression. L-Tryptopan serves as the precursor for the synthesis of serotonin, which is converted to serotonin in the body. As a result, the symptoms of depression and other problems are improved.
