Tryptophan is an amino acid that helps to synthesize serotonin, the "pleasure hormone, " and so is associated with the treatment and prevention of depression, anxiety and may even aid in the process of weight loss.
Tryptophan can be found in some foods like bittersweet chocolate and nuts but can also be bought in pharmacies because it exists in the form of food supplement.
Benefits of tryptophan
The benefits of tryptophan can be:
- Combat depression,
- Controlling anxiety,
- Raise the mood,
- Improve memory,
- Regulate sleep,
- Help control weight.
The benefits of tryptophan arise because this amino acid helps to form the hormone serotonin that is essential to prevent disorders resulting from stress such as depression and anxiety. The hormone serotonin helps in the formation of the hormone melatonin that regulates the rhythm the body's internal biological clock.
Where to Find Tryptophan
Tryptophan can be found in foods like cheese, Brazil nuts, avocados or peas or in nutritional supplements. See more examples in: Foods rich in tryptophan
Tryptophan supplements can be found in the form of tablets, capsules or powder and are marketed in health food stores, pharmacies or drugstores.
Tryptophan helps you lose weight
Tryptophan slims because, by producing serotonin, it helps control the anxiety that often leads to compulsive and uncontrolled food consumption. Reduction of serotonin synthesis has been associated with increased carbohydrate appetite.
Food is often associated with feelings, so in states of anxiety and depression can consume foods that give more pleasure and which are more caloric like chocolate that helps raise the production of serotonin and the sensation of pleasure.
If, during the daily diet of ingesting tryptophan source foods, the need to compensate for the production of serotonin with the exaggerated intake of chocolate or other foods that increase pleasure is less and that is why the tryptophan intake is related to weight loss.
