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Best L-Tryptophan Supplements for Sleep
There are a multitude of nutrients that the human body needs to function effectively on a day to day basis. These compounds are used to create hormones, allow enzymatic reactions, and assist in the production of energy.
With this in mind, they are integral to your health.
Interestingly, there is some recent evidence to suggest that the supplementation of certain nutrients can actually enhance function beyond what could we would typically consider to be ‘normal’.
Which brings us to the topic of today’s article, Tryptophan.
 | Best Overall Source Naturals L-Tryptophan 1500mg | Most potent Great choice Extremely effective |  |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Most Affordable Bulk Supplements Pure L-Tryptophan Powder | Great option Powder form Extremely affordable | |
 | High Quality Now L-Tryptophan Capsules 500mg | Scientifically supported Extremely high quality Can’t go wrong | |
What is Tryptophan?
Tryptophan is a specific type of protein known as an essential amino acid.  This particular amino acid is considered essential because it is vital to the maintenance of normal health and function, however it cannot be produced within the body.
As a result, tryptophan must be obtained through diet, or of course, through supplementation (most commonly in the form of L-Trytophan).
Tryptophan can be found in high amounts in oats, bananas, milk, tuna, cheese, chicken, turkey, and peanuts.
Somewhat inconveniently, tryptophan cannot be stored for long periods within the human body. As such, it also happens to be the least commonly appearing amino acid in the body.
After consumption it is metabolically transformed to bioactive metabolites including serotonin, melatonin, kynurenine, and the vitamin niacin (nicotinamide).
Tryptophan is so important because it is converted into a specific molecule known as 5-hydroxytryptophan (of 5-HTP for short) in the brain. 5-HTP is an important compound that is used to produce the hormone serotonin.
Additionally, in a very similar manner, tryptophan is also used in the production of the key hormone Melatonin.
And this is where this amazing amino acids provides all of its health benefits.
What are the Benefits of Taking Tryptophan?
Given that tryptophan is such an important compound, it stands to reason that its supplementation can offer us a myriad of health benefits. As a result, we have taken an objective look at the research to determine where it offers us the most merit.
The Best Tryptophan Product Reviews
As tryptophan offers some pretty incredible health benefits, we wanted to give you some great options that you can begin to use immediately.
| Best Overall Source Naturals L-Tryptophan 1500mg | Most potent Great choice Extremely effective | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most Affordable Bulk Supplements Pure L-Tryptophan Powder | Great option Powder form Extremely affordable | |
| High Quality Now L-Tryptophan Capsules 500mg | Scientifically supported Extremely high quality Can’t go wrong | |
Source Naturals L-Tryptophan 1500mg
Our first option by Source Naturals is one of the most potent available on the market at the moment, in which it provides a whopping dosage of 1500mg pure L-Tryptophan per serve.Â
This is a great choice for those after high dosed, extremely effective option.
BulkSupplements Pure L-Tryptophan Powder
This great option by BulkSupplements is quite different to the others on this list as it comes in powder form, rather than a more traditional capsule. While this may be slightly less convenient for some individuals, it does mean that you can tailor your dosage as you sit fit.
Additionally, this particular product is extremely affordable, making it the ideal option for those on a tight budget.
Now L-Tryptophan Capsules 500mg
Our final option by NOW supplements is a great choice. It provides a scientifically supported dosage of 500mg per serve, offering everything you need to boost health.
As an added bonus, it is also of an extremely high quality, and is very affordable – you really can’t go wrong.
What is the Optimal Tryptophan Dosage?
The current recommended daily intake for tryptophan varies from 250-425mg per day, however a commonly used dosage in research studies is 500mg per day. This is because a tolerable upper limit is yet to be established, with some research demonstrating that you can consume up to 8 grams per day for 8 weeks without experiencing any severe side effects.
With this in mind, we recommend you keep your dosage to between 500mg and 4g per day.
Does Tryptophan Have Any Side Effects?
Tryptophan can cause some side effects in susceptible individuals. These may include:
- Heartburn
- Stomach pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Headaches
- Drowsiness
- Dry mouth
Additionally, there is evidence to suggest that tryptophan supplements may cause some complications during pregnancy and breast feeding scenarios, so avoid supplementation if in either of these settings.
Conclusion
Tryptophan is an essential amino acid that plays a multitude of health important roles within the human body. As a result, its supplementation can offer you with a huge amount of benefit.
With this in mind, it has demonstrated the capacity to improve sleep duration and sleep quality, reduce symptoms of depression and dementia, enhance exercise performance, and even help promote weight loss.
As always, if you have had any experience using this interesting supplement then we would love to hear about it – so drop us a comment and we will get back to you ASAP!