Lots of Baton Rouge Sleep Problems Help from Turkey & Its Tryptophan
Do you find yourself tossing and turning at night, chasing the promised dream of restful sleep? If so, you’re not the only one. Insomnia bothers millions, leaving many searching for natural answers to get the restorative rest they so want and desire. This Thanksgiving, you might find an unexpected ally in a classic holiday staple—turkey. With its high concentrations of tryptophan, turkey offers a tasty and healthful way to boost better sleep which is so important for our Baton Rouge chiropractic patients at Medical Spine and Sports Injury and Rehab Centers who are healing from back pain or neck pain.
WHAT IS TRYPTOPHAN?
Tryptophan is a vital amino acid that plays a key role in producing serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood and sleep cycles. Serotonin is then converted into melatonin, the hormone responsible for overseeing your sleep-wake cycle. Consuming tryptophan-rich foods like turkey can help boost these processes, making it easier to drift off into restful sleep. Just look around the room after your Baton Rouge Thanksgiving dinner!
HOW TURKEY CAN HELP WITH INSOMNIA
Turkey is one of the most well-known sources of tryptophan, and acknowledgement of its deliciously lean protein, it’s a great addition to your diet if you are looking to enhance sleep quality. When paired with carbohydrates (think mashed potatoes or stuffing), tryptophan absorption is optimized, increasing the likelihood of improved relaxation and easier shifts into sleep.
Medical Spine and Sports Injury and Rehab Centers found a clinical study by Abad and Guilleminault in Drugs & Aging quite good. (1) It highlights the role tryptophan has in natural insomnia management. The research emphasizes the ability of tryptophan-rich foods to boost better sleep patterns without relying on heavy pharmacological interventions—encouraging for anyone wanting gentle, food-based sleep remedies.
BENEFITS BEYOND SLEEP
Beyond aiding with insomnia, turkey’s tryptophan can have a greater effect on overall wellness:
- Mood Regulation: Serotonin derived from tryptophan isn’t just for sleep—it’s also a natural mood stabilizer, making your holidays a little brighter.
- Reduced Stress: A balanced serotonin-melatonin cycle leads to lower stress levels, creating a calm mental state that supports physical health.
- Nutrition Boost: Turkey is not just about tryptophan! It’s also full of lean protein, essential nutrients like selenium, and a host of B vitamins.
SUPPORT YOUR SLEEP THIS THANKSGIVING
This holiday season, why not indulge in your Thanksgiving turkey with a side of gratitude for the sleep-enhancing benefits it offers? Pair it with other healthy, tryptophan-friendly foods like bananas or milk—studies, such as one in the Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition, suggest these can also enhance sleep. (2) Here is a shout-out to delicious meals, science-backed solutions, and a season of sleep-filled nights!
CONTACT Medical Spine and Sports Injury and Rehab Centers
Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Chris DeVeau, on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he illustrates the difficulty an arm pain patient had sleeping and how he fostered relief with The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management.
