Do you find yourself tossing and
turning at night, chasing the 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 so want and desire. This Thanksgiving, you might find an
unexpected help in an iconic 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 boost better sleep which is so important for
our Tonawanda chiropractic patients at Chiropractic Spine Sports And Rehabilitation who are healing
from back pain or neck pain.
WHAT IS TRYPTOPHAN?
Tryptophan is an essential amino acid that plays a key role in making
serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate
mood and sleep cycles. Serotonin is then converted into
melatonin, the hormone in charge of 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 Tonawanda 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 terrific addition to your diet if you’re
looking to boost sleep quality. When paired with
carbohydrates (think mashed potatoes or stuffing), tryptophan absorption is optimized,
raising the likelihood of improved relaxation and
easier shifts into sleep.
Chiropractic Spine Sports And Rehabilitation found a clinical study by Abad and
Guilleminault in Drugs & Aging quite interesting. (1) It highlights
the role tryptophan plays in natural insomnia management. The
research points out the ability of tryptophan-rich foods to boost
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 cascading effect on overall
wellness:
- Mood Regulation: Serotonin derived from
tryptophan isn’t 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 can
lead to stress levels, creating 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 enhance
sleep. (2) Here is a shout-out to delicious meals, science-backed
solutions, and a season of restful nights!
CONTACT Chiropractic Spine Sports And Rehabilitation
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.
Make your Tonawanda chiropractic
appointment now.