is l tryptophan a protein or peptide FAQ

There are no known interactions between L-tryptophan and foods or drinks. It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect L-tryptophan, but drinking alcohol while taking L-tryptophan may increase your risk for sleepiness or dizziness.

The most common side effects of L-tryptophan are listed below. These side effects may vary depending on the dose you are taking or the specific product you are using. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

L-tryptophan is used for many different reasons. However, its benefits are not well defined. Some common reasons that people use L-tryptophan include the following.

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking L-tryptophan.

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take L-tryptophan.

You should store L-tryptophan according to the product label. Most dietary supplements should be kept in a cool, dry location that is out of the reach of children and pets and not in direct sunlight.

L-tryptophan is an amino acid, which is a building block for protein. Your body uses L-tryptophan to make protein and produce important chemicals and hormones, such as serotonin, melatonin, and niacin. Although your body needs L-tryptophan to function, it cannot make L-tryptophan on its own. As a result, you must get it from your diet. L-tryptophan is naturally found in protein-rich foods, including meat, cheese, eggs, fish, tofu, and yogurt. Most people in the United States get enough L-tryptophan from the proteins in their diet. Your body makes the brain chemical serotonin from L-tryptophan. Serotonin plays an important role in brain function, behavior, and mood. But taking L-tryptophan does not always seem to increase serotonin levels in the brain. The benefits of L-tryptophan for reducing symptoms of anxiety or depression are not well defined. Your body also uses L-tryptophan to make melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone that helps your body set its circadian rhythm, which is like its internal clock. Your brain releases more melatonin when it is dark out, which signals your body to sleep. Taking high doses of L-tryptophan may make some people feel sleepy. But it is not clear what dose of L-tryptophan is needed, or whether it helps with sleep problems.

While less common, the most serious side effects of L-tryptophan are described below, along with what to do if they happen. Severe Allergic Reactions. L-tryptophan may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking L-tryptophan and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

L-tryptophan is a dietary supplement. It cannot be marketed to treat or cure a disease. Read and follow the directions on the specific product you are taking, or take it as recommended by your health care provider. Keep L-tryptophan out of the reach of children. L-tryptophan can affect your alertness or coordination. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how L-tryptophan affects you. Some people use L-tryptophan for sleep problems. If you have sleep problems, it is important to make sure that you have the right sleeping conditions and good sleep-related habits. This is known as good sleep hygiene. Learn more about sleep hygiene here. In the late 1980s, some people who took L-tryptophan supplements had a serious condition called eosinophilia myalgia syndrome (EMS). This seems to have been caused by harmful chemicals found in certain L-tryptophan products. These serious cases led the FDA to ban L-tryptophan products that were made outside of the United States. L-tryptophan itself did not cause this serious condition. But the FDA has not tested L-tryptophan products to confirm that they contain the ingredients stated on their labels. Some dietary supplements have been tested by third-party organizations to confirm that they contain the ingredients listed on their labels and do not contain any harmful chemicals. Learn more about how to choose a safe dietary supplement product here.

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if L-tryptophan is right for you. In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following. Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

If you or someone else has used too much L-tryptophan, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222. L-tryptophan is available in a wide range of doses. Read the product label closely and speak with a health care provider about how to use L-tryptophan safely. Do not take double or extra doses, even if you miss a dose.

Tryptophan is an amino acid. Amino acids are molecules that your body uses to make proteins, which help you to:

L-tryptophan is naturally found in animal and plant proteins. L-tryptophan is considered an essential amino acid because our bodies can't make it. It is important for the development and functioning of many organs in the body. After absorbing L-tryptophan from food, our bodies convert it to 5-HTP (5-hyrdoxytryptophan), and then to serotonin. Serotonin is a hormone that transmits signals between nerve cells. It also causes blood vessels to narrow. Changes in the level of serotonin in the brain can alter mood.