Relationship Between L-Tryptophan And Serotonin

What is the relationship between L-tryptophan and serotonin. What is the reaction for synthesis of serotonin from L-tryptophan?

L-tryptophan is the sole precursor of serotonin and plays a significant role in brain serotonin synthesis. In addition to being a precursor to this metabolic pathway, L-tryptophan is also the precursor to kynurenine synthesis (Richard D., et al., 2009).

Research has shown that this essential amino acid is an important factor in mood, behavior, and cognition (Sainio EL. et al., 1996).

Tryptophan is distributed throughout the circulatory system once consumed in the diet. Only 1% of dietary amino acid is used for serotonin synthesis in our brains. This low amount of brain serotonin compared to the body’s concentration