Tryptophan

Tryptophan is an essential amino acid that allows serotonin to be synthesized. Niacin can be synthesized from tryptophan.

=Complements= -Biopterin -Vitamin B6 -Magnesium

=Antagonists= None Known

=Precursor of:= -Serotonin

=Needs= 3mg/kg./day

=Deficiency= -Anorexia -Depression -Manic-depression -Insomnia -Fibromyalgia -Pellagra -Suicidal thoughts

Though tryptophan is found in many protein-based foods, individuals w/ a serotonin deficiency require greater amounts of tryptophan.

=Therapeutic Indications= -Depression -Fibromyalgia -Insomnia -Migraines -Headaches -Night Terrors -Weight Loss (calms anxiety-related cravings) -Pain

=Contraindications= Using either MAOI-class or SSRI antidepressants

=Food Sources= Turkey, chicken, milk, almonds, wild game, pork, fish, dates, cottage cheese, beef liver, peanuts, lamb

=Therapeutic Dose= 200-3000mg.

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=============================================== //medical nutrition:// -Found in serum, and actively transported into brain, it competes with other AAs to get into brain • -Carbohydrate • -In suicidal depressed patients low Tryp binding sites occur. • Disorders • Carcinoid syndrome tumors causes tryptophan deficiency: diarrhea, flushing, CVD, bronchoconstriction and vasodilation • Hartnup’s disease- congential Tryp malabsorption syndrome

Function
• 1. Niacin synthesis • 2. Serotonin production [satya uses with gingko in depression] • 3. Melatonin precursor • 4. Proper brain function

• RDA –200mg/d • Avg.intake: 1-1 1/2 gm/d • Therapeutics .5-4 gm/d

• Sources: Cheese, meat, peanuts, cashews, granola, avocado • Deficiency: pellagra, depression, insomnia, suicidal thoughts

• HX Taken off the market eosinophilia myalgia (1989) – Prosac 1990 ¾ billion /year (2.5 billion)

Treatment
• 1. Insomnia – Trypt-> serotonin-> melatonin-> increases sleep quality and REM sleep (1-3gm), increases efficacy and toxicity of SSRI’s and other drugs. It accelerates antidepressant effects, reducing drug induces insomnia • 2. Depression 3-6gm/d = to imipramine, can use with niacinamide – 500mg bid, can use with tyrosine in the AM/ PMS too • 3. Mental disorders, including mania, psychosis, suicidal tendencies • 4. Pain syndromes – FMS 5htp100mg tid, - stops lactic acid production • 5. Schizophrenia – with niacin and Vitamin B6 • 6. Anorexia and bulimia 3gm/d plus B6 – 50mg ["great for"] • 7. Appetite suppression inc. GH and prolactin – inhibiting appetite • 8. Hartnup disease • 9. Carcinoid syndrome • 10. PMS • 11. Migraine headaches 500mg 4-6x/d, 5HTP – 200-600mg • 12. Tyrosine & 5HT reduce parathyroid hormone production –in vitro

Toxicity 7 gm/d/150 lb can – gastric irritation, vomiting, and head twitching.-8 gm teratogenic