Do you find yourself tossing and
turning at night, trying anything to get that promised
dream of restful sleep? If so, you’re not alone. Insomnia affects millions, leaving many searching for natural solutions to get the restorative rest
they need. This Thanksgiving, you might find an
unexpected friend in a classic holiday food—turkey. A nutritional approach to health may be worth exploring! With its high concentrations of tryptophan, turkey offers a tasty
and healthful way to boost better sleep which is so important for
our Vancouver chiropractic patients at Vancouver Disc Centers 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 managing
your sleep-wake cycle. Eating tryptophan-rich foods like turkey
can help increase these processes, making it easier
to fall off into restful sleep. Just look around the room after
your Vancouver 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 enhanced,
raising the likelihood of improved relaxation and
easier shifts into sleep.
Vancouver Disc 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 points out the ability of tryptophan-rich foods to promote
better sleep patterns without relying on heavy
pharmacological interventions—encouraging for anyone looking
for gentle, food-based sleep remedies.
Benefits Beyond Sleep
Beyond facilitating insomnia, turkey’s
tryptophan can have a cascading effect on general
wellness:
- Mood Regulation: Serotonin taken 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 enjoy your
Thanksgiving turkey with a side of thankfulness for the
sleep-enhancing benefits it offers? Combine 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 Vancouver Disc Centers
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.
Schedule your Vancouver chiropractic
appointment soon.