what is l-tryptophan good for
For the hydrocarbon, see Triptane. Tryptophan (abbreviated as Trp or W; encoded by the codon UGG) is an Î±-amino acid that is used in the biosynthesis of proteins. It contains an Î±-amino group, an Î±-carboxylic acid group, and a side chain indole, classifying it as a non-polar, aromatic amino acid.
Ever since the FDA restricted the importation of tryptophan for use in dietary supplements, there has been an upsurge in the percentage of overweight and obese Americans. One could argue that a widespread serotonin deficiency is at least partially responsible for the record numbers of depressed, sleep-deprived, and overweight individuals.