You have probably heard of tryptophan, an essential amino acid that makes us feel better and certainly happier. It is perfect to take it when we feel a little more down or we feel stressed.
We want to tell you what the tryptophan, how it improves our body, in which foods we find it and if it is really good to increase our spirits.
As we said, tryptophan is one of the eight essential amino acids that our body needs to carry out all its functions correctly and without alterations. They are necessary for the creation of new cells, tryptophan or L-tryptophan, an amino acid introduced into medicine in 1963, designed, above all, to improve the quality of our sleep.
Tryptophan benefits
Then we will tell you what the benefits are of this amino acid that we need so much. It intervenes in the basic and vital processes of our body, it is one of the most important because thanks to it, we can synthesize the serotonin, un neutrotransmitter that exerts an influence on our central system, improving and controlling our mood.
La serotonin, As you know, it is known as the "Hormone of happiness"For this reason, it is so desired when we feel tired, in a bad mood, suffer from depression or psychological disorders. In addition, serotonin is a powerful tranquilizer, it also regulates the anxiety attacks that are overcome with food, so it helps us lose weight and control those impulses.
Furthermore, the tryptophan is also directly related to the production of melatonin, a substance that helps us improve our quality of sleep, preventing us from having insomnia, so it is perfect to take tryptophan to rest and also without having side effects.
Lastly, tryptophan is a percursor of vitamin B3 or niacin, which helps us have more energy and maintain a good nervous and digestive system and a well-cared-for skin.
We have to take into account that the tryptophan It is not synthesized in the body, we have to get it from food, supply it through food or through food supplements. Although in the first place, we will tell you about the place where we can find it naturally.
Foods rich in tryptophan
Next, we will tell you where we can naturally find tryptophan, this essential amino acid that, as its name says, is essential.
- Meats: In a diet rich in meat, we have to pay attention to white meat such as chicken, rabbit or turkey. Low in fat, rich in protein and tryptophan.
- Eggs: Eggs are perfect for taking care of our body, they contain quality proteins, vitamins, minerals and of course, tryptophan. It also highlights its contribution in niacin or vitamin B3, essential for the functioning of the body.
- Dairy products: You have probably heard and even tasted how a glass of milk before going to bed is good for a better rest. Dairy products are good for increasing tryptophan, which will also help us to generate more serotonin which favors the secretion of melotonin which, as we have already mentioned, helps us to rest and sleep better.
- Fish and seafood: we are talking about tuna, salmon, cod, sardines or halibut are rich in tryptophan. In addition, to provide us with omega 3 and zinc.
- Nuts: They are perfect foods to improve our body, although we have to be careful with their consumption, because they provide many calories without realizing it, the benefits they provide us are amazing. Do not stop taking walnuts, pistachios, cashews, chestnuts or pine nuts whenever you can, the recommended amount is 30 grams a day.
- Fruits: fruit is one of the best foods we should eat, it fills us with vitamins and gives us energy. The ideal is to consume fruits in season, therefore, find out well when it is time for: cherries, pineapple, avocado, banana.
- Vegetables: they are very healthy, they take care of our cardiovascular health and intestinal transit, they are ideal for regulating sleep and mood. We advise you to take more amounts of soybeans, lentils and beans to have more energy, better mood and better rest.
- Dark chocolate: many studies affirm that the consumption of dark chocolate is ideal to maintain a good attitude towards life, improves our mood, mitigates emotional weakness and keeps us away from sadness. Keep in mind, that it must be chocolate at least 70% cocoa.