Food High in Tryptophan

People who suffer from depression or insomnia may be interested in adding food high in tryptophan to their diet. Tryptophan is one essential amino acid the body can't make, so dietary sources are important.

Tryptophan plays a part in forming muscles, but it has also been shown to help with depression and insomnia. This is mostly likely due to the fact that it plays an important part in the body's production of serotonin and melatonin. As tryptophan is digested, the brain changes it into serotonin. When our bodies lack serotonin, the chances of becoming depressed or suffering from insomnia increase. It is not only needed to help regulate our mood and sleep, but it also transmits nerve impulses from the brain and as a neurotransmitter controls feelings like thirst and hunger. This is also the reason it affects our mood and sleep.

To be sure you're getting enough tryptophan, it is available in supplements in some states but you can get it through diet. One way or another, it's important to make sure you provide your body with this essential amino acid especially if you struggle with bouts of depression.

When eating food high in tryptophan, to reap the best results it's best to eat them on an empty stomach for better absorption. These foods include:

• Baked potato with skin
• Bananas
• Beans
• Beef
• Cheddar cheese
• Chicken
• Cottage cheese
• Eggs
• Fish
• Gruyere cheese
• Hazelnuts
• Hummus
• Lentils
• Kelp
• Milk
• Nuts
• Peanuts
• Rice (brown and white)
• Pumpkin seeds
• Sesame seeds
• Shellfish
• Soy milk
• Soybean nuts
• Sunflower seeds
• Swiss cheese
• Tofu
• Tuna
• Turkey
• Yogurt

Think about how groggy you feel after eating Thanksgiving dinner. Turkey is one food that's high in tryptophan. It is suggested that eating foods higher in carbs increases tryptophan absorption and as a result serotonin production.

If you have trouble sleeping or struggle with depression, it's important to remember that the body does not produce tryptophan. You must get it through supplements or by eating foods rich in tryptophan.

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