Lots of Manchester Sleep Problems Help from Turkey & Its Tryptophan
Do you find yourself tossing and turning at night, trying anything to get that elusive promise of restful sleep? If so, you are not alone. Insomnia bothers millions, leaving many searching for natural answers to get the restorative rest they need. This Thanksgiving, you might find an unexpected help in a classic holiday food—turkey. With its high levels of tryptophan, turkey offers a yummy and healthful way to boost better sleep which is so important for our Manchester chiropractic patients at Manchester Chiropractic & Sports Injuries who are healing from back pain or neck pain.
WHAT IS TRYPTOPHAN?
Tryptophan is a vital amino acid that plays a key role in producing 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 boost these processes, making it easier to drift off into restful sleep. Just look around the room after your Manchester 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’re looking to enhance sleep quality. When combined with carbohydrates (think mashed potatoes or stuffing), tryptophan absorption is optimized, raising the likelihood of better relaxation and easier shifts into sleep.
Manchester Chiropractic & Sports Injuries found a clinical study by Abad and Guilleminault in Drugs & Aging quite interesting. (1) It features the role tryptophan plays in natural insomnia management. The research points out the ability of tryptophan-rich foods to promote better sleep patterns without the reliance on heavy pharmacological interventions—inspiring for anyone seeking gentle, food-based sleep remedies.
BENEFITS BEYOND SLEEP
Beyond facilitating insomnia, turkey’s tryptophan can have a greater effect on overall wellness:
- Mood Regulation: Serotonin taken from tryptophan isn’t just for sleep—it’s also a natural mood stabilizer, making your holidays a little brighter.
- Reduced Stress: A balanced serotonin-melatonin cycle can lead to stress levels, generating a calm mental state that supports physical health.
- Nutrition Boost: Turkey is not just about tryptophan! It’s also full of 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) Cheers to delicious meals, science-backed solutions, and a season of restful nights!
CONTACT Manchester Chiropractic & Sports Injuries
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.
