Health related information and news from around the world.

While it is obviously wisest to obtain as much tryptophan as possible from the diet, some nutritionists have recommended taking an additional one gram daily in the form of L-tryptophan supplements. Until late 1989, these were available over the counter in most healthfood stores. However, at that time they were linked to a rare blood disorder called eosinophilia. Most L-tryptophan supplements were immediately recalled, and all stocks have since been removed from store shelves. When and if the FDA concludes that they are not the cause of eosinophilia, and are once more considered safe, they may again become available.

Should this occur, you will want to know that L-tryptophan supplements are usually available in 250 or 500 mg tablets. They metabolize rapidly in the bloodstream and can induce drowsiness within 30 minutes. Drowsiness, incidentally, is a good sign that tryptophan has reached the brain and has broken down into serotonin. For this reason, tryptophan nutrition is best carried out just prior to bedtime.

Most nutritionists suggest that, without medical supervision, tryptophan supplements should be limited to a maximum of one gram per day. (However, manufacturer’s labels have suggested that up to two grams may be taken.) Naturally, if any adverse side effects occur, dosage should be terminated immediately. In practice, adverse side effects are extremely unlikely but very large doses could possibly cause bladder problems. As pain tolerance increases, most nutritionists recommend reducing intake of supplements and relying, if possible, on dietary sources alone.

Prolonged intake of L-tryptophan may lead to depletion of vitamin B6. Too, a sufficiency of vitamin B3 is necessary to maintain tryptophan levels in the brain.

For optimum results, when and if L-tryptophan supplements again become available, it would seem best to combine tryptophan nutrition with daily supplements of vitamins Ñ and the  complex.

*54\30\4*

Related Posts:

• NATURAL SLEEP – LIFE GOES ON WHILE WE ARE ASLEEP (INTRODUCTION)
• CORRECT BREATHING – CONCLUSION
• COFFEE – SAUERKRAUT (FERMENTED WHITE CABBAGE) (INTRODUCTION)
• SUGAR – ALTERNATIVES TO REFINED SUGAR
• HELPFUL DIETS FOR THE SICK A – GENERAL ADVICE (KIND OF FOOD)
• SESAME SEEDS – EXCELLENT FOR THE LIVER 3
• CHRONIC CONSTIPATION – NATURAL REMEDIES 2
• EPILEPSY – TRAGIC HEREDITARY FACTORS (GENETIC PREDISPOSITIONS)
• THE KIDNEYS – HARMFUL INFLUENCES (SUGAR)
• LEG ULCERS (FEELING OF DIZZINESS)