Lots of Toronto 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 are not alone. Insomnia affects 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 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 Toronto chiropractic patients at Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre who are healing from back pain or neck pain.
WHAT IS TRYPTOPHAN?
Tryptophan is an essential 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 responsible for overseeing 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 Toronto 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 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 enhanced, increasing the likelihood of better relaxation and easier shifts into sleep.
Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre found a clinical study by Abad and Guilleminault in Drugs & Aging quite interesting. (1) It highlights the role tryptophan plays in natural insomnia management. The research emphasizes the ability of tryptophan-rich foods to boost better sleep patterns without the reliance on heavy pharmacological interventions—encouraging for anyone seeking 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 is not 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 packed with 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 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) Cheers to delicious meals, science-backed solutions, and a season of restful nights!
CONTACT Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre
Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Chris DeVeau, on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he describes the difficulty an arm pain patient had sleeping and how he fostered relief with The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management.
