Tryptophan is an essential amino acid, which is a subunit in protein molecules and acts as precursor of serotonin synthesis. (Nerissa L. Soh, Garry Walter, 2011) Serotonin is important in our body because it helps to regulate mood and anxiety. (Glenda Lindseth, Brian Helland, Julie Caspers, 2015) Therefore, low levels of serotonin in brain may lead to anxiety and depression. Since tryptophan cannot be synthesized by our body, thus we need to obtain tryptophan through our daily diet.
Even though some fruits and vegetables are high in serotonin, however they unable enter and access our central nervous system easily due to blood brain barrier. On the other hand, tryptophan, which is serotonin precursor can pass through our blood brain barrier …show more content…
Based on the results, tryptophan depletion showed lowered mood states in patients with major depressive disorders (MDD), with a family history of depressive disorders, or with major depressive disorders in remission. However, the mood of healthy participants who were subjected to tryptophan depletion do not showed any effects. (Ruhe HG, Mason NS, Schene AH, …show more content…
One double-blind crossover study had been conducted on eleven recovered patients with history of depression and who had suffered recurrent seasonal affective disorder. They were randomly assigned to receive two amino acids beverages, one containing tryptophan and another containing no tryptophan but otherwise identical. Based on the result, the beverages without tryptophan caused a transient recurrence of depressive symptoms. (Neumeister A, Praschak-Rieder N, Hesselmann B, Vitouch O, Rauh M, Barocka A, Kasper S, 1998)
Another double-blind study and crossover study involved ten formerly depressed patients. Based on the result, researchers found that tryptophan depletion was significantly related to increased depression and anxiety scale scores. This study confirmed that there was mood effect of tryptophan depletion in medicated, formerly depressed patients. (Spillmann MK, Van der Does AJ, Rankin MA, Vuolo RD, Alpert JE, Nierenberg AA, Rosenbaum JF, Hayden D, Schoenfeld D, Fava M,
Even though some fruits and vegetables are high in serotonin, however they unable enter and access our central nervous system easily due to blood brain barrier. On the other hand, tryptophan, which is serotonin precursor can pass through our blood brain barrier …show more content…
Based on the results, tryptophan depletion showed lowered mood states in patients with major depressive disorders (MDD), with a family history of depressive disorders, or with major depressive disorders in remission. However, the mood of healthy participants who were subjected to tryptophan depletion do not showed any effects. (Ruhe HG, Mason NS, Schene AH, …show more content…
One double-blind crossover study had been conducted on eleven recovered patients with history of depression and who had suffered recurrent seasonal affective disorder. They were randomly assigned to receive two amino acids beverages, one containing tryptophan and another containing no tryptophan but otherwise identical. Based on the result, the beverages without tryptophan caused a transient recurrence of depressive symptoms. (Neumeister A, Praschak-Rieder N, Hesselmann B, Vitouch O, Rauh M, Barocka A, Kasper S, 1998)
Another double-blind study and crossover study involved ten formerly depressed patients. Based on the result, researchers found that tryptophan depletion was significantly related to increased depression and anxiety scale scores. This study confirmed that there was mood effect of tryptophan depletion in medicated, formerly depressed patients. (Spillmann MK, Van der Does AJ, Rankin MA, Vuolo RD, Alpert JE, Nierenberg AA, Rosenbaum JF, Hayden D, Schoenfeld D, Fava M,