Health Care Encyclopedia
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TryptophanDefinition: Tryptophan is an amino acid necessary for normal growth in infants and for nitrogen balance in adults. It is an essential amino acid, which means your body cannot produce it -- you must get it from your diet.
Information: The body uses tryptophan to help make niacin and serotonin. Serotonin is thought to produce healthy sleep and a stable mood. In order for tryptophan in the diet to be changed into niacin, there needs to be�enough�vitamin B-6, riboflavin, and iron in the body. Tryptophan can be found in: - Turkey
- Chicken
- Milk
- Cheese
- Fish
- Eggs
- Tofu
- Soy
- Sesame seeds
- Pumpkin seeds
- Nuts
- Peanuts
- Peanut butter
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| Review Date: 5/1/2006
Reviewed By: Caroline M. Apovian, M.D., FACN, Associate Professor of Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine and Director, Nutrition & Weight Management Center, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMedHealthcare Network.
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