What Are the Functions of Tryptophan?

Tryptophan is an important precursor of auxin biosynthesis in plants, which is ubiquitous in higher plants; it is also the precursor of 5-HT, an important neurotransmitter in the human body; it can be used in nutritional supplements and milk for pregnant women Special milk powder for young children, used for niacin deficiency (pellagra), as a sedative, can regulate mental rhythm, improve sleep, and is also one of the raw materials for compound amino acid infusion.

1. Tryptophan essential can regulate mood

Tryptophan is an important precursor to the brain chemical serotonin, which helps regulate mood. The decrease in tryptophan level in the blood caused by dieting will reduce the level of serotonin in the brain, causing depression, self-blame, anger and other negative emotions. Canadian researchers found that a daily intake of 3 grams of tryptophan can enhance people's self-confidence. The research team divided 98 volunteers into two groups, one group took 1 gram of tryptophan per meal for 12 days; the other group was a placebo control group. After 12 days, the two groups switched experimental methods and continued for another 12 days. All volunteers completed a daily questionnaire throughout the experiment to assess their emotional state and behavior. The results of the study found that tryptophan has a stronger lasting influence on human behavior than emotions. People's positive behavior increased after taking tryptophan.

2. Tryptophan is essential to prevent pellagra

Pellagra is caused by the lack of niacin in human tissues. The most typical symptom is dermatitis, which often appears symmetrically on the exposed parts of the limbs. place. Pellagra mostly occurs in areas where niacin is deficient, especially in people whose main food is corn. The niacin content in corn is actually not very low, but because the niacin in corn is bound, it cannot be absorbed and utilized by the human body, and it contains very little tryptophan. In the human body, the essential tryptophan can be converted into niacin, so foods rich in tryptophan are also rich in niacin.

3. Tryptophan essentials improve sleep

Serotonin, produced by tryptophan, neutralizes the effects of epinephrine and norepinephrine and can alter sleep duration. The serotonin in the animal's brain decreases, and it will show abnormal behavior and symptoms such as insomnia. Eating some food before going to bed can increase the content of tryptophan in the body, thereby producing more serotonin, and making people fall asleep faster.

Amino acids can be produced after most proteins are hydrolyzed. However, the content of tryptophan in protein is low, usually less than 2%. Therefore, you should usually pay attention to supplementing foods with high tryptophan content. Among the foods we eat, the ones with higher tryptophan content per 100 grams of food include: sea crab (containing 801 mg), tofu skin (containing 715 mg), meat floss (containing 710 mg), raw watermelon seeds (containing 631 mg) mg), soybeans (485 mg), black sesame (402 mg), whole milk powder (372 mg), raw sunflower seeds (365 mg). Moderate consumption of these foods is of great benefit to enhancing the health of the body.