Book between plants with supplement capsules

Knowledge blog > Micronutrient dictionary

Tryptophane

Themen dieses Blogartikels:

Table of Contents

What is Tryptophane?

Tryptophane is an essential amino acid and cannot be produced by the body itself.

What are the functions of Tryptophane?

Tryptophane is naturally proteinogenic, which means that you need tryptophan to build proteins. Tryptophane is also glucogenic, meaning it can be used to generate energy by feeding it into the citrate cycle, and ketogenic, meaning it can be used to form ketone bodies. These are mainly formed by the body during phases of prolonged fasting in order to ensure energy supply. Tryptophan is also needed to produce the neurotransmitters serotonin and melatonin.¹

Advertisment

  • Essential amino acid L-tryptophan obtained from natural fermentation
  • Premium quality without fillers or additives
  • 440mg per capsule
  • Starting substance for serotonin
  • Supports inner peace, balance & happiness
  • Helps as a stress regulator

What makes Tryptophane unique?

Tryptophane is one of the most important amino acids for the brain and a good reason to eat organic dark chocolate². Tryptophane is important for mood and falling asleep.³

How much Tryptophane do you need per day?

To date, there is no recommendation from the German Nutrition Society (DGE) regarding the intake of tryptophan. However, it is assumed that the daily requirement of an adult is around 5 mg tryptophan per kilogram of body weight.⁵ So if you weigh 70 kg, for example, you need approx. 350 mg tryptophan per day.

When do you need Tryptophane most?

The need for tryptophane is particularly increased during stress and in old age. Tryptophane may also be necessary if serotonin levels are too low⁴. Serotonin is crucial for the functioning of the circulatory system, performance, brain function and the immune system. Serotonin is also used to produce melatonin, the sleep hormone. This messenger substance is also an important antioxidant.

How does an Tryptophane deficiency develop and how does it manifest itself?

A tryptophane deficiency is rare and can develop as a result of an unbalanced diet or an eating disorder, for example. In addition, certain metabolic disorders can lead to the body absorbing too little tryptophane. The consequences can be manifold - they range from mood swings, depression and anxiety to concentration problems, sleep disorders and muscle problems. In affected children, growth and development can be impaired.⁶

What happens if there is an overdose of Tryptophane?

The essential amino acid tryptophane can be prescribed by a doctor to help you fall asleep. The recommended daily dose is 1 g tryptophan. This can be increased to up to 2 g tryptophane per day if necessary and after consulting a doctor. Possible side effects include dizziness, headaches and photosensitivity⁷. An overdose can lead to so-called serotonin syndrome⁸: The drug-induced serotonin excess can trigger life-threatening symptoms such as cramps, kidney damage, shock and coma.⁹

Which foods are particularly high in Tryptophane?

Tryptophane is mainly found in cocoa, oatmeal, spirulina, pumpkin seeds, soybeans and cashew nuts.

Advertisment

Display of all MITOcare supplements with the active ingredient L-tryptophan

Further blog articles on the topic

Glutamine
What is glutamine, what function and effect does it have on your well-being?
Read article
Lysin
Was ist Lysin, welche Funktion und Wirkung hat es auf dein Wohlbefinden?
Read article
Threonine

What is Threonine, what function and effect does it have on your well-being?

Read article
Phenylalanine

What is Phenylalanine, what function and effect does it have on your well-being?

Read article
Methionine
What is methionine, what function and effect does it have on your well-being?
Read article
Valine

What is Valine, what function and effect does it have on your well-being?

Read article
Amino acid deficiency - what are the causes and symptoms?
As organic compounds, amino acids play an important role in the human body - but not all of them in the same way. In this article, you will not only find out exactly what amino acids are and what functions they perform, but also how you can recognize a deficiency and take targeted action against it.
Read article
Amino acids & sport: why you need protein building blocks
Amino acids are important for success in training. Find out all about their function and how to take them correctly.
Read article
Why the protein shake is no longer enough - next level: amino acids
Proteins are among the most important building blocks of our cells. Proteins are macromolecules that are made up of amino acids. Here you can find out more about the optimal supply of amino acids and reasons why protein shakes alone are no longer enough.
Read article
More muscle mass through epigenetics & mitochondrial power
In this article, we'll dive deep into the science behind muscle building, including the latest findings in epigenetics and mitochondrial function.
Read article

This dictionary entry is based on carefully researched sources:

Bibliography & Sources