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The prescription of tryptophan for insomnia and anxiety used to be widespread a few decades ago. Tryptophan lost its fame when a supposed bad batch from Japan supposedly caused an autoimmune illness and a huge uproar in the States. Although the disease could definitely be traced to the faulty batch, the FDA unfairly prohibited its sale, which was very much favored by the pharmaceutical industry as Prozac was about to hit the market.
Today, Tryptophan is back, but its popularity is not. Several factors come into play with Tryptophan supplementation. A recent discovery of the amino acid to produce hydrogen peroxide leads to valid concern about its safety. If not administered with avocado or Russian red cabbage (peroxidase enzymes) to decompose hydrogen peroxide, the peroxide can damage cells and cause a variety of diseases in a patient. It should be compulsory to bind tryptophan with the enzymes.
If tryptophan is prescribed, it should only be done short-term. Since it contains relaxing properties, great for insomnia, nervousness or anxiety, it should be taken at bedtime. It was also found that tryptophan may be effective against Parkinson’s disease.
Turkey contains large amounts of tyrosine, yet it is not (despite popular belief) the tryptophan that causes sleepiness after a Thanksgiving gluttony, it can be attributed to the large amount of food consumed. Tryptophan is only effective as a free amino acid.
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