0
3.47
11
The discussion about possible L-Tryptophan side effects has been heated and controversial for several decades.
This amino acid occurs naturally in countless staple food sources, and is well-tolerated by almost all people. The human brain requires Tryptophan as a part of the process by which it manufactures Serotonin, a critical neurotransmitter related to mood.
However, a well-publicized health scare from a few decades ago has left a lingering doubt about L-Tryptophan safety. This article will examine how Tryptophan supplements are supposed to work, review the facts of the 1990 health scare, examine L-Tryptophan side effects, and help you determine if this supplement is right for your needs.
Mood
Stress
Sleep- Precursor for serotonin synthesis
- Supports a calm, relaxed mood
- Promotes restful sleep patterns
Top L-Tryptophan Products* ❯L-Tryptophan Mechanism of Action
Related Topics
Before we examine the danger of L-Tryptophan side effects, it is important to understand how it normally works in the body.
Tryptophan is an essential amino acid. It is considered essential because the human body cannot produce it on its own, and it must be consumed through the diet. Many high protein foods have Tryptophan in them, including red meat, poultry, dairy, nuts, beans, tofu, seeds, and oats.
Sometimes dietary Tryptophan intake is lacking, and some people naturally utilize the Tryptophan they do eat inefficiently. In these cases supplementation may be useful.
When Tryptophan either from the diet or supplements is ingested, it is broken down in the liver into the compound 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) and other metabolites. The 5-HTP travels through the bloodstream to the brain, where it then is able to easily cross the blood brain barrier. Once inside the brain, the 5-HTP is converted into Serotonin.
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter which governs easy nerve cell communication. In addition to this function, Serotonin generates a variety of emotional cues. It famously produces a calming sensation which can override stress triggers and soothe anxious thoughts and nervousness. Serotonin accompanies positive feelings and a relaxed, satisfied mood.
L-tryptophan is also directly related to the production of Melatonin. Melatonin is the main hormone which is responsible for regulating circadian rhythm ( healthy sleep/wake cycles in the body). Serotonin in the brain is converted into Melatonin. During the day Serotonin production is highest, and production of Melatonin is low. When light levels fall at dusk, the body begins converting Serotonin to Melatonin at a faster rate; rising Melatonin levels helps prepare the body for deep, restorative sleep.
Why Supplement With Tryptophan?
Many people choose to add to dietary sources of Tryptophan with targeted supplements. Tryptophan supplements have been used for depression, anxiety, and promoting focus and calm in patients with ADHD. Similar results may be achieved by supplementing with 5 HTP. Benefits include general stress relief, enhanced mood, and improved sleep patterns. Users have reported that the overall reduction in brain “chatter” makes it easier to focus productively upon work.
5 HTP may cause slightly fewer side effects than L-Tryptophan, as it requires one less step for the production of Serotonin in the brain. However, some users report that 5-HTP did not work as well as Tryptophan for them personally. Trying both Tryptophan and 5-HTP supplements (at different times) may be necessary to see which works best for your personal physiology and needs.
A daily dosage of either supplement may provide a gentle yet noticeable lift in mood. Stress from work or home life is mitigated with 5-HTP or Tryptophan supplements, in a complementary fashion to the stress relief found with common vitamins like the B complex.
L-Tryptophan Side Effects
When used within a normal dosage range, Tryptophan side effects are rare and generally mild. The most commonly reported mild side effects are mostly gastrointestinal in nature and include heartburn, stomach pain, belching and flatulence, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. Headache, lightheadedness, and drowsiness are also common side effects.
Severe adverse effects are typically only observed when Tryptophan is used in excessive quantities (above 6 grams per day) or combined with other drugs that influence Serotonergic pathways in the brain. L-Tryptophan supplements should not be taken together with antidepressants (e.g. MAOIs or SSRIs), clonazepam (Klonopin), lorazepam (Ativan), phenobarbital (Donnatal), dextromethorphan (Robittusin DM, and other cough medicines), meperidine (Demerol), and tramadol (Ultram).
Use of Tryptophan together with these and other Serotonin-concentration altering drugs may cause Serotonin Syndrome. Serotonin Syndrome occurs when there is an excess of Serotonin in the brain.
Symptoms of Serotonin Syndrome include excessive sweating, irritation, fever, rapid changes in blood pressure, agitation, confusion or mania, and irregular heartbeat. In severe cases, if left untreated, Serotonin Syndrome can be fatal.
If you are currently on medication for anxiety or depression, you should speak to your doctor before adding this supplement to your diet. It is best to consult with a physician before starting to use any supplement – including natural amino acids like L-Tryptophan.
In the event that you do experience side effects, sometimes reducing the dosage is enough to prevent future occurrence. If this supplement causes excessive sleepiness or stomach upset, two of the main side effects routinely mentioned in Tryptophan user reviews, try to reduce your dosage. If you still experience side effects, it might be best to cease treatment and try another Serotonin-boosting supplement.
Side Effects of Tryptophan – Related to EMS Outbreak?
Tryptophan is noted for typically having very few side effects if used appropriately. The human body has evolved over countless generations to extract the compound from common proteins like chicken or turkey, as well as vegetables like broccoli and spinach.
However, a significant health scare occurred surrounding the supplement in 1989-1990. About 1500 people who were taking Tryptophan supplements developed Eosinophilia-Myalgia Syndrome (EMS). EMS is a rare, potentially deadly disorder that affects multiple organ systems and the nervous system. The EMS outbreak resulted in many hospitalizations and 35 deaths. Tryptophan supplements were temporarily banned by the FDA in the USA.
After much research, the FDA concluded that all the cases of EMS were related to contaminated supplements from one plant in Japan. It is believed that the cases of EMS were not typical Tryptophan side effects, and instead were the result of improper handling techniques and contamination with a foreign substance.
Today the ban on Tryptophan supplements in all of their forms has been lifted by the FDA, and Tryptophan is on the FDA’s Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) list of substances.
L-Tryptophan Side Effects in Dogs
There has been an interesting trend in veterinary medicine of prescribing Tryptophan for dogs with behavioral problems. Often dubbed the “canine Prozac,” natural Tryptophan supplements may calm dogs with agitated nerves and separation anxiety. It may also ease aggression.
This therapy typically creates no major Tryptophan side effects in dogs. Some mild side effects including vomiting and diarrhea have been reported. Serious side effects may occur if Tryptophan is combined with other prescription medications which boost Serotonin. In these instances, as in humans, some dogs may face a risk of Serotonin Syndrome. For this reason, Tryptophan therapy is generally recommended only as a standalone treatment when no other medication is being given.
How to Increase Serotonin Levels
The most natural way to increase Serotonin levels is to supplement with additional Tryptophan via food sources. Poultry, nuts, fish, and many leafy green vegetable provide small amounts of Tryptophan. But for more acute cases of mood imbalance, food supplementation is neither practical nor does it provide sufficient dosages.
Supplementation with 5-HTP may lead to very similar effects with less side effects or sensitivity. L-Theanine is another common and very well-tolerated alternative. This glutamic acid also boosts Serotonin levels, providing strong anti-stress support.
Whichever supplement you choose, start with a low dosage and gradually increase it over time until a state of emotional balance is reached. With patience and gentle experimentation, these supplements make it possible to dramatically improve one’s daily emotional state with low risk of side effects.
- Hoes MJ, Loeffen T, Vree TB. Kinetics of L-tryptophan in depressive patients: a possible correlation between the plasma concentrations of L-tryptophan and some psychiatric rating scales. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 1981
- Segura R, Ventura JL. Effect of L-tryptophan supplementation on exercise performance. Int J Sports Med. 1988
- Kirkegaard C, Møller SE, Bjørum N. Addition of L-tryptophan to electroconvulsive treatment in endogenous depression. A double-blind study. Acta Psychiatr Scand. 1978
- Miller EM, Nieburg HA. L-tryptophan in the treatment of levodopa induced psychiatric disorders. Dis Nerv Syst. 1974
- Thorleifsdóttir B, Björnsson JK, Kjeld M, Kristbjarnarson H. Effects of L-tryptophan on daytime arousal. Neuropsychobiology. 1989
- Lamar M, Craig M, Daly EM, Cutter WJ, Tang C, Brammer M, Rubia K, Murphy DG. Acute tryptophan depletion promotes an anterior-to-posterior fMRI activation shift during task switching in older adults. Hum Brain Mapp. 2014
- Mace JL, Porter RJ, Dalrymple-Alford JC, Wesnes KA, Anderson TJ. The effects of acute tryptophan depletion on neuropsychological function, mood and movement in the healthy elderly. J Psychopharmacol. 2011
- Mitchell MJ, Daines GE, Thomas BL. Effect of L-tryptophan and phenylalanine on burning pain threshold. Phys Ther. 1987
Article last updated on: April 28th, 2018 by Nootriment