5 Benefits of Tryptophan

You’ve probably heard of Tryptophan before, it’s the amino acid found in turkey and in goji berries that is supposed to make you sleepy after Thanksgiving dinner. Actually, Tryptophan is an essential amino acid that is crucially important to how the body functions.  Tryptophan that is ingested through meat and other foods is turned into an amino acid known as 5-HTP once it’s in the body.  5-HTP is a precursor to Seratonin. Seratonin is a chemical released by your brain to calm and soothe your body. When taken as a dietary supplement 5-HTP can do great things for the body. Here are 5 of the benefits of taking 5-HTP supplements:

1. Better sleep – Taking regular low doses of 5-HTP can help you sleep more deeply and more regularly at night. Unlike other types of sleeping aids 5-HTP will not make you groggy and won’t make you dependent because it’s completely natural. If you’re having trouble sleeping at night because of stress try taking regular low does of 5-HTP and you’ll notice a difference in your ability to fall asleep and stay asleep.

2. PMDD – It’s only been in recent years that doctors have recognized a severe form of PMS called PMDD, Pre Menstrual Dysmorphic Disorder which can cause significant problems for women like extreme mood swings or irritability and sometimes irrational thoughts and behaviors. Studies have shown that 5-HTP is an effective way to manage PMDD when taken in the right dosage.

3. Better mood management – 5-HTP or the amino acid Tryptophan can also help you stabilize your moods.  If you have a tendency to be depressed but are not so depressed that you need anti-depressant or if you prefer to not take prescription anti-depressants 5-HTP can help you stabilize your mood naturally.

4. Relief of Fibromyalgia pain – If you have Fibromyalgia and suffer from debilitating soft tissue pain studies have shown that taking regular amounts of 5-HTP or eating foods that contain Tryptophan regularly can help alleviate the pain and stiffness associated with Fibromyalgia or other chronic pain illnesses.

5.  Menopause relief – Are you suffering from Menopause symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, and irritability? Increasing the amount of Tryptophan that you eat or taking 5-HTP can help you manage the symptoms of menopause.