Do you find yourself struggling to fall asleep at night, chasing the promised
dream of restful sleep? If so, you’re not the
only one. Insomnia affects millions, leaving many looking
for natural answers to get the restorative rest
they so want and desire. This Thanksgiving, you might find an
unexpected friend in an iconic holiday staple—turkey. A nutritional approach to health may be worth exploring! With its high concentrations of tryptophan, turkey offers a yummy
and healthful way to support better sleep which is so important for
our New Roads chiropractic patients at New Roads Chiropractic Center who are healing
from back pain or neck pain.
WHAT IS TRYPTOPHAN?
Tryptophan is an essential amino acid that is
important in the process of making
serotonin, a neurotransmitter that assists in regulating mood and sleep cycles. Serotonin is then changed into
melatonin, the hormone in charge of 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 New Roads Thanksgiving dinner!
HOW TURKEY CAN HELP WITH INSOMNIA
Turkey is one of the most highly recognized
sources of tryptophan, and thanks to its deliciously
lean protein, it’s a terrific addition to your diet if you are
looking to enhance sleep quality. When paired with
carbohydrates (think mashed potatoes or stuffing), tryptophan absorption is optimized,
increasing the likelihood of improved relaxation and
easier transitions into sleep.
New Roads Chiropractic Center found a clinical study by Abad and
Guilleminault in Drugs & Aging quite interesting. (1) It features
the role tryptophan has in natural insomnia management. The
research emphasizes the ability of tryptophan-rich foods to boost
better sleep patterns without relying on heavy
pharmacological interventions—encouraging for anyone wanting 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, allowing your holidays to be a little
brighter.
- Reduced Stress: A balanced serotonin-melatonin cycle leads to lower 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 indulge in your
Thanksgiving turkey with a side of gratitude 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 New Roads Chiropractic Center
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 New Roads chiropractic
appointment now.