L-TRYPTOPHAN - THE FEEL GOOD ESSENTIAL AMINO ACID

L-tryptophan is an essential amino acid that is a precursor to serotonin, a neurotransmitter that regulates our moods, appetites, and sensory perception. It is found in a variety of plant and animal proteins, and is an essential part of our daily diet. Although there is a variety of foods that contain L-tryptophan, such as meats, fish, dairy, mangoes, barley, brown rice, sunflower seeds, bananas and peanuts, much of it is lost through cooking and processing.

Although turkey meat does contain L-tryptophan, and is thought to be the cause of the soporific after effects of a Thanksgiving dinner, the amounts are in fact no higher than they are in chicken. As it is known to increase serotonin levels in the brain, L-tryptophan has, for some time, been used as an effective sleep aid. This is supported by clinical research that confirms its sedative effects, and has also shown it to have a positive impact on other conditions associated with low serotinin levels or low brain activity.

Research has also found L-tryptophan is effective in treating premenstrual dysphoric disorder (a severe form of PMS), and seasonal affective disorder (a depressive mood brought on by winter and lack of sunlight).

In addition to being used as a sleep aid, an anti-depressant or as an adjunct to other anti-depressant drugs, it is currently used to treat anxiety, attention deficit disorder (ADD), and to discourage smoking.

Like any dietary supplement, it is important to source a pure, reputable product, free from any impurities. IAS offers a pharmaceutical grade product of German origin, extracted from plant material and does not contain any filling agents other than cellulose.