Tryptophan is an amino acid that is a precursor to Melatonin production in the brain and, yes, melatonin does make you sleepy. But it's not quite that simple. You see, even though turkey does contain tryptophan, it is about the same amount as in any other poultry and even less than is in, say, cheese. Tryptophan has to get in to the brain and to do that is must get past the gatekeeper. The gatekeeper is the blood brain barrier. And when tryptophan has to wait in line with all the other aminos to get in, the chances of you feeling any quick drowsiness effects are slim - but wait!
When you sit down for your typical Thanksgiving meal you aren't just having turkey. Chances are good that you are going to load up on the carbs: mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes (with baked on marshmallows!), pumpkin pie - should I go on? And when you take in all of those carbs your body produces insulin en masse which scrubs most of those aminos from the blood except for (you guessed it) Tryptophan. Suddenly that long line at the blood brain barrier isn't so crowded and tryptophan gets in and does its work. The brain produces melatonin and you fall asleep listening to Uncle Al talk about college bowl scenarios.
So this year when people are passing the Turkey-Tryptophan myth around the table, feel free to dish out a helping of the truth.
Happy Thanksgiving from Hoey Apothecary!
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