Do you find yourself tossing and
turning at night, trying anything to get that 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 need. This Thanksgiving, you might find an
unexpected friend in an iconic holiday food—turkey. A nutritional approach to health may be worth exploring! With its high concentrations of tryptophan, turkey offers a yummy
and healthful way to support better sleep which is so important for
our San Jose chiropractic patients at Chiropractic Solutions who are healing
from back pain or neck pain.
WHAT IS TRYPTOPHAN?
Tryptophan is a vital amino acid that plays a key role in making
serotonin, a neurotransmitter that assists in regulating mood and sleep cycles. Serotonin is then changed into
melatonin, the hormone in charge of managing
your sleep-wake cycle. Consuming tryptophan-rich foods like turkey
can help increase these processes, making it easier
to drift off into restful sleep. Just look around the room after
your San Jose Thanksgiving dinner!
HOW TURKEY CAN HELP WITH INSOMNIA
Turkey is one of the most highly recognized
sources of tryptophan, and acknowledgement of its deliciously
lean protein, it’s a terrific addition to your diet if you are
looking to enhance sleep quality. When combined with
carbohydrates (think mashed potatoes or stuffing), tryptophan absorption is optimized,
increasing the likelihood of improved relaxation and
easier shifts into sleep.
Chiropractic Solutions found a clinical study by Abad and
Guilleminault in Drugs & Aging quite interesting. (1) It highlights
the role tryptophan has in natural insomnia management. The
research points out the ability of tryptophan-rich foods to boost
better sleep patterns without the reliance on heavy
pharmacological interventions—inspiring for anyone looking
for gentle, food-based sleep remedies.
Benefits Beyond Sleep
Beyond aiding with insomnia, turkey’s
tryptophan can have a cascading effect on general
wellness:
- Mood Regulation: Serotonin derived from
tryptophan isn’t just for sleep—it’s also a natural mood
stabilizer, allowing your holidays to be a little
brighter.
- Reduced Stress: A balanced serotonin-melatonin cycle leads to lower stress levels, generating a calm
mental state that supports physical health.
- Nutrition Boost: Turkey is not just about tryptophan! It’s
also packed with lean protein, essential nutrients like selenium,
and a bunch of B vitamins.
Support Your Sleep This Thanksgiving
This holiday season, why not enjoy your
Thanksgiving turkey with a side of thankfulness 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 support
sleep. (2) Here is a shout-out to delicious meals, science-backed
solutions, and a season of restful nights!
CONTACT Chiropractic Solutions
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.
Schedule your San Jose chiropractic
appointment now.