You may think of tryptophan as the chemical that makes you sleepy after a big turkey dinner on Thanksgiving. However, researchers now know that tryptophan plays a key roll in intestinal inflammation and gut health.
Key Amino Acid
Tryptophan is an amino acid that is used by the brain and is converted into serotonin. Serotonin is important because it controls feelings of hunger, depression, anxiety, thirst and sleep. However, tryptophan has also been found to be an important nutrient when it comes to immune system functioning.
Tryptophan is a key amino acid that plays a role in digestive health. Â As researchers have gained an understanding of the role of tryptophan, they have discovered that low levels of the amino acid result in changes in healthy bacteria that are needed to maintain gut health. Health researchers now know that the immune system is highly connected to maintaining healthy bacteria in the intestinal system and eating foods high in probiotics is recommended.
Lack of tryptophan has been linked to changes in a person’s immune system that can result in changes to gut health. Symptoms of chronic gut conditions, such as irritable bowel disease, ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, including diarrhea, gas, bloating and constipation are often relieved by adding foods rich in tryptophan or tryptophan supplements. Individuals who have inflammation as part of an immune system disorder may also benefit from adding tryptophan to their diet.
There are a wide variety of foods that contain tryptophan, so adding it to your diet is not a difficult prospect. Eating foods such as beans, nuts, milk and cheese will give your diet a tryptophan boost. Also, foods such as red meat, turkey and shellfish are high in tryptophane.
– The Alternative Daily
