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Re: Foods that help you sleep

Posted by Richard Braznell on December 19, 1997 at 13:42:17:

In Reply to: Re: Foods that help you sleep posted by Kristina on December 18, 1997 at 06:22:57:

L-tryptophan is one of the 23 naturally occurring amino acids present in the proteins you eat that your body can break down and utilize. Poultry (especially turkey) is a protein source rich in tryptophan. The theory that has been presented is that tryptophan is a biochemical precursor to serotonin (a neurotransmitter involved in sleep and mood processes), so increase in tryptophan in the diet will lead to increase in serotonin. This has not been clinically proven. In amino acid metabolism, the body has a tendency to utilize what is available, and break down the excess amino acids into energy instead of protein building blocks. If you were tryptophan deficient, supplementation would help. A "normal" diet should provide adequate levels of tryptophan, vegetarian diets have a greater chance of deficiency unless carefully planned.

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