Do you find yourself struggling to fall asleep at night, chasing the elusive promise of restful sleep? If so, you are not alone. Insomnia affects millions, leaving many looking
for natural answers to get the restorative rest
they need. This Thanksgiving, you might find an
unexpected ally 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 support better sleep which is so important for
our McHenry chiropractic patients at OrthoIllinois Chiropractic who are healing
from back pain or neck pain.
WHAT IS TRYPTOPHAN?
Tryptophan is a vital amino acid that is
important in the process of making
serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate
mood and sleep cycles. Serotonin is then converted into
melatonin, the hormone responsible for overseeing
your sleep-wake cycle. Consuming tryptophan-rich foods like turkey
can help increase these processes, making it simpler
to drift off into restful sleep. Just look around the room after
your McHenry 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 boost 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.
OrthoIllinois Chiropractic found a clinical study by Abad and
Guilleminault in Drugs & Aging quite interesting. (1) It highlights
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—inspiring for anyone seeking gentle, food-based sleep remedies.
Benefits Beyond Sleep
Beyond aiding with insomnia, turkey’s
tryptophan can have a greater effect on overall
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, 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 bunch of B vitamins.
Support Your Sleep This Thanksgiving
This holiday season, why not enjoy 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 sleep-filled nights!
CONTACT OrthoIllinois Chiropractic
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 helped with relief with The
Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management.
Make your McHenry chiropractic
appointment now.