Effects of Tryptophan

For people who take in normal amounts of tryptophan through their diet, effects of tryptophan are usually positive. However, tryptophan supplements have been noted to produce effects that are both good and bad. The downside is that the bad effects can actually be serious, irreversible and even fatal. With this in mind, it's important to talk with your doctor or health care provider before taking tryptophan in supplement form.

Tryptophan: Biochemical and Health Implications

Tryptophan is an essential amino acid our bodies can't produce. This one fact makes the need for supplementation seem like a reasonable option, but since the tryptophan scare of in the late 1980s, most experts agree that the best way to provide your body's need of tryptophan is through diet rather than a supplement. This is due to the negative effects experienced by some individuals when taking tryptophan supplements. For many, side effects proved to be extreme and in some cases fatal.

With this history, you may wonder why tryptophan is available at all. The fact is that some states have banned its sale. However, tryptophan provides a vital element necessary for neurotransmitters like serotonin and melatonin. Without them, our brains don't function properly. Lack of tryptophan can result in serotonin deficiencies which result in depression or insomnia. If you suffer from these conditions you should talk to your doctor about whether or not tryptophan supplements may help.

Your doctor may suggest changing your diet to get the tryptophan you need. Eating food rich in tryptophan can alleviate both depression and insomnia. One other positive effect worth mentioning is that tryptophan helps our bodies create vitamin B3 which our bodies use to reduce cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood.

While tryptophan can help with depression and insomnia, the potential negative side effects are many. If you experience any of the following side effects while taking tryptophan, it's important to contact your doctor immediately.

EMS (Eosinophilia Myalgia Syndrome) is one of the main reasons tryptophan was recalled back in 1990. At the time it was a popular health food supplement until it was linked to EMS, a highly debilitating systemic disease which can cause permanent damage.

Side effects include flu-like symptoms in the acute phase along with the following:

• Burning rashes
• Breathing difficulties
• Contractures
• Dry, thickened skin or other skin changes
• Elevated eosinophil count (blood test is needed to determine)
• Fatigue
• Hair loss
• Intense muscle pain
• Nerve pain
• Spasms

As the disease progresses, it attacks a variety of areas of the body randomly. How severe the symptoms are can change from one individual to another.

Taking tryptophan supplements can also lead to serotonin syndrome which commonly occurs when people take medications that result in high levels of serotonin. This condition can also develop when taking combinations of certain drugs and dietary supplements. While the serotonin produced by your body is good—too much of it presents unpleasant physical symptoms. If levels get really high, severe serotonin syndrome can cause death if left untreated.

The good news is that once you stop taking the supplement or medication causing the problem, serotonin syndrome usually goes away.

Serotonin Syndrome Symptoms include:

• Confusion
• Diarrhea
• Difficulty walking
• Fast heartbeat
• Feeling faint
• Fever
• Hallucinations – seeing/hearing things
• Hives
• Itching
• Muscle spasms
• Sweating
• Swelling of the mouth or throat

While some of the above side effects are dangerous enough to be considered life-threatening, tryptophan is also known to manifest milder side effects that are more bothersome than dangerous. These include:

• Blurred vision
• Diarrhea
• Drowsiness
• Dry mouth
• Gas
• Headaches
• Heartburn
• Indigestion
• Light headedness
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Stomach pain
• Vomiting

With all the possible negative side effects produced by tryptophan supplements, is it really something you want to risk taking? Talk it over with your doctor to get his/her recommendation. He may want to run tests to see if your problems stem from something else such as a magnesium deficiency.

The problem is that until you actually take the tryptophan supplement there's no way of knowing how it will affect you. Many people have no negative side effects whatsoever. If you do decide to try it, stay aware of how you're feeling and stay in touch with your doctor. If you suspect any ill effects at all, no matter how minor, call your doctor.

For more information, books like Tryptophan: Biochemical and Health Implications which provides a comprehensive view of tryptophan, how it acts and the important role it plays in protein metabolism, can provide additional details and facts.

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