What is tryptophan?

It's an essential amino acid, one your body needs to function properly. But you have to get tryptophan through your diet or supplements because your body can't make it. The best sources for tryptophan are high protein foods such as oats, bananas, dried dates, dairy products, fish, many nuts, and poultry. Tryptophan is critical in helping your body produce proteins for muscle, hair, and skin.

Tryptophan can also help increase brain levels of both serotonin which provides a calming action at moderate levels, and melatonin, a sleep inducing hormone. For this reason, some experts believe tryptophan can be a safe and effective sleep aid when added to your diet as a supplement. In Europe, tryptophan is frequently prescribed to work in conjunction with an anti-depressant.

Learn about tryptophan supplements

Learn about Tryptopure

Look for the Tryptopure name on the bottle or ask your pharmacist for product containing Tryptopure from Ajinomoto.

It's important to note that you should talk with your physician about using Tryptopure. Tryptopure is not a drug but your physician should know of any and all supplements you are taking.