Health Alert 171
Do you have trouble sleeping at night? You are not alone. According to a National Sleep Foundation study, a surprising 74% of Americans report trouble sleeping.1
There is a natural supplement that works very well and is extremely safe. It doesn’t “drug you”, it’s not addicting and it won’t make you feel drowsy the next morning. Unfortunately, because of the FDA, you may have some trouble getting it.
I’m talking about the nutrient tryptophan. Tryptophan is a naturally occurring amino acid. The FDA currently bans it from over the counter sales. In today’s Health Alert, I’m going to share my experience with tryptophan; you’ll see how it works, why it is the healthiest of all sleep aides and how you can still get it despite the FDA’s interference.
* Who is the FDA Protecting? *
I have used tryptophan for years to successfully treat insomnia. In 1989 an outbreak of a rare blood disorder appeared to be linked to tryptophan. The CDC and FDA immediately banned all sales of tryptophan. After further investigation it was discovered that it was not the tryptophan but a contamination problem at one manufacturer’s plant in making the supplement.2
Despite this the FDA has not allowed tryptophan to be reintroduced over the counter. But tryptophan is one of the best and safest treatments for insomnia and several other health problems. There can be no questioning the fact that tryptophan is much safer than any prescription drug for insomnia. It’s even safer than most OTC sleep aids.
Why won’t the FDA let you buy a simple amino acid? Let’s be realistic. It’s the amino acid that’s in milk and turkey. It’s the reason these foods are known to help you sleep better. Could anyone actually believe that the natural amino acid in turkey is as dangerous as Haldol, Halcion or Valium?
As you know, drug companies fund the FDA’s payroll. Drugging America to sleep is a huge and extremely profitable market. This is yet another classic case of the FDA protecting their bottom line and not your health.
* The Truth about Tryptophan *
The literature and my experience concur that tryptophan is useful for:4
• Effective treatment of insomnia
• Effective aid in the treatment of depression and mood stabilization
• Effectively controls hyperactivity in children
• Reduces appetite
• Enhances the release of growth hormone
• Effective aid in the treatment of migraine headaches
• Reduces some of the side effects of nicotine
• Protects the heart from coronary artery spasms
A sufficient amount of vitamin is necessary for the formation of tryptophan. You deplete vitamin B6 with stress. Tryptophan is required for the formation of serotonin.5 Serotonin is the neurotransmitter that keeps your mood stable. A lack of tryptophan is one of the reasons you can develop coronary artery spasms. In addition you also make the sleep hormone melatonin from tryptophan. It is slightly more natural to take tryptophan than melatonin because it allows your body to make as much as it “decides” it needs. Nutritional solutions like this should come first.
You can increase your intake of tryptophan through diet. Some good natural sources of
tryptophan are:6
• Milk
• Turkey
• Cottage Cheese
• Other Meats
• Brown rice
• Peanuts
• Soy protein
Tryptophan is perfectly safe and has no notable side effects. The contaminant that caused the ban is no longer a possibility. In fact, it’s not made by that method any more.
After years of letters from natural physicians protesting its ban and attesting to the safety of tryptophan the FDA has reintroduced tryptophan but by prescription only.
In light of the FDA’s current attack on supplements it is unlikely that you will be able to buy tryptophan over the counter again. But, you can ask your doctor to write you a prescription. If he is like most, he probably won’t know much about tryptophan’s use – or even that he can write for it. You will have to take the initiative. An effective dose is 500mg at bedtime.
Happy dreams!
Al Sears, MD
1. CNN.com “Poll finds sleep disorders on the rise in U.S.” April 1, 2002. http://www.cnn.com/2002/HEALTH/04/01/sleep.poll/index.html.
2. Gastelo, David. Hatfield, Fred. Dynamic Nutrition for Maximum Performance: A Complete Nutritional Guide for Peak Sports Performance, Avery Publishing Group, New York, 1997: 43-45.
3. CNN.com “Poll finds sleep disorders on the rise in U.S.” April 1, 2002. http://www.cnn.com/2002/HEALTH/04/01/sleep.poll/index.html.