Byproducts from gut bacteria breaking down tryptophan, a dietary amino acid, can restore hormone-secreting gut cells reduced ...

Learn more about the gut microbiome's digestion of the amino acid tryptophan, which creates byproducts with potential for ...

When tryptophan hits our gut bacteria break it down into byproducts, but what they become depends on where they’re used. “If tryptophan hits our body’s cells, it tends to go get broken down ...

If you’re struggling to relax at night, this late-night snack is the best choice by offering sleep-promoting nutrients to help you relax.

How tryptophan influences mood Serotonin, often referred to as the ‘feel-good’ hormone, depends on tryptophan. Without sufficient levels of this amino acid, the body struggles to produce ...

“Tryptophan is an essential amino acid needed to make serotonin, a hormone that has many functions in our body, including balancing mood and sleep,” said sleep specialist Dr. Raj Dasgupta, an ...

This tryptophan/mood connection is an area of ongoing research. And while some are captivated by tryptophan’s potential, it’s not clear whether the excitement is warranted.

Still, Labuza said tryptophan is an essential amino acid -- it can help with sleep and depression and can be bought over the counter. It's just far more enjoyable when it comes with turkey.

Tryptophan is an amino acid, one of the nearly two dozen that form the building blocks of protein. The first problem with the turkey sleepiness explanation is that tryptophan is present at about the ...