Parchem is excited to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday! This is a great time to be around friends, family, and of course, turkey! Our favorite part about the holiday is the food, and we are excited to take a closer look at what we think makes us all so sleepy after Thanksgiving dinner – Tryptophan.
Tryptophan [CAS# 73-22-3] is an amino acid and a precursor to neurotransmitters such as serotonin and melatonin. It is a common misconception that it is the Tryptophan present in turkey that causes us to feel tired after eating Thanksgiving dinner. Tryptophan has its strongest effects when it can reach the brain, and that occurs best on an empty stomach. While consuming a variety of foods rich in several amino acids, tryptophan is among the last, if at all, to reach the brain. When it comes down to it, the post-Thanksgiving dinner-tiredness is a result of a large meal, heavy in carbohydrates rather than the turkey itself.
While found naturally in certain animal and plant products, Tryptophan is commonly produced biosynthetically on an industrial scale. Tryptophan is utilized in the Nutritional, Pharmaceutical and Personal Care industries. As a result of its function as a precursor to serotonin production, Tryptophan is present in supplements that prevent depression. Likewise, Tryptophan’s ability to aid in melatonin production makes it useful in sleep aid supplements.
Parchem – fine & specialty chemicals is proud to be able to offer you the products you need, when you need them. We supply a wide range of specialty chemicals for uses across numerous applications and industries. With decades of experience and a passion for excellence, Parchem is guaranteed to be a valuable and reliable part of your supply chain.
Contact us here for more information on L-Tryptophan.
