tryptophan
Protein building block
Tryptophan is an amino acid essential to human nutrition, obtained through diet rather than synthesized by the body.
It serves as a precursor to serotonin, a neurotransmitter affecting mood and sleep.
Turkey famously contains tryptophan, often blamed for post-Thanksgiving drowsiness—though the effect owes more to overeating than to the amino acid itself.
Wattled North American fowl
- drowsinessState of near-sleep
- feastElaborate ceremonial meal
- food comaDrowsiness after overeating
- postprandialFollowing a meal
myth · dinner · holiday meal · overeating · carbohydrates · sleepiness · digestion
Of food consumption
- proteinFolded amino chain
- supplementSomething added to complete
- essentialFundamentally necessary
- deficiencyLack of something needed
absorption · bioavailability · intake · RDA · food source · eggs · cheese · milk
Protein's molecular subunit
- protein synthesisAssembling amino acid chains
- melatoninCircadian rhythm regulator
- neurotransmitterSynaptic chemical messenger
- essential amino acidProtein component requiring ingestion
metabolism · biosynthesis · niacin · indole · precursor · codon · peptide · nitrogen
State of near-sleep
- melatoninCircadian rhythm regulator
- relaxationState of being unwound
- insomniaPersistent inability to rest
- restCessation of activity
bedtime · fatigue · somnolence · REM · circadian · sedation · sleep aid · warm milk
Prolonged low state
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
- wellbeingState of comfort and health
- mental healthEmotional and cognitive well-being
- happinessJoyful emotional state
brain chemistry · emotion · neurotransmitter · cognition · SSRI · antidepressant · regulation · psychology
turkey
Wattled North American fowl
- drowsinessState of near-sleep
- feastElaborate ceremonial meal
- food comaDrowsiness after overeating
postprandial · myth · dinner · holiday meal · overeating · carbohydrates · sleepiness · digestion
dietary
Of food consumption
- proteinFolded amino chain
- supplementSomething added to complete
- essentialFundamentally necessary
deficiency · absorption · bioavailability · intake · RDA · food source · eggs · cheese · milk · seeds
amino acid
Protein's molecular subunit
- protein synthesisAssembling amino acid chains
- melatoninCircadian rhythm regulator
- neurotransmitterSynaptic chemical messenger
essential amino acid · metabolism · biosynthesis · niacin · indole · precursor · codon · peptide · nitrogen · molecule
drowsiness
State of near-sleep
- melatoninCircadian rhythm regulator
- relaxationState of being unwound
- insomniaPersistent inability to rest
rest · bedtime · fatigue · somnolence · REM · circadian · sedation · sleep aid · warm milk · natural remedy
depression
Prolonged low state
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
- wellbeingState of comfort and health
- mental healthEmotional and cognitive well-being
happiness · brain chemistry · emotion · neurotransmitter · cognition · SSRI · antidepressant · regulation · psychology · calm
- sleep aidsmelatonin, sleeping pills, sleeping pill, sleep aid, Ambien
- Biochemicalsamino acid, amino acids, protein, proteins, DNA
- amino acidsalanine, arginine, asparagine, cysteine, glutamine
- Essential Amino Acidsleucine, isoleucine, valine, lysine, methionine
- chiral moleculesalanine, arginine, asparagine, cysteine, glutamine
- feed additivesvitamins, minerals, probiotics, prebiotics, enzymes
tryptophanglycine
Simplest amino acid
alanine · glutamate · serine · asparagine · aspartate
tryptophancaffeine
Methylxanthine stimulant compound
epinephrine · amphetamine · adrenaline · dopamine · cortisol