Trippin' on Tryptophan

Turkey and its associated essential amino acid L-tryptophan have long been blamed for the inevitable lethargy that follows the Thanksgiving meal. Does turkey really deserve this reputation? Not so much. L-tryptophan can be metabolized into serotonin and melatonin, which would explain the sleepy after-effect. However, the relatively low levels of L-tryptophan in turkey will typically cause drowsiness only when consumed on an empty stomach. When’s the last time you saw a family member sit down to a big plate of turkey (and nothing else) on Thanksgiving?

So what’s really causing ‘the itis?’ More than likely, it’s the carbo load associated with the Turkey Day meal. Stuffing, roles, mashed potatoes, pie...the list goes on. When we consume a ton of carbohydrates, insulin is secreted by the pancreas, forcing amino acids that would typically compete with tryptophan to move from the bloodstream to muscle cells. L-tryptophan can then be synthesized into serotonin and melatonin, inducing that naptime feeling.

Some more possible causes? Any time you eat a large meal, your body’s blood supply will flow away from the brain and towards the digestive system. Your energy reserves will take a serious hit as your body works hard to digest a feast. Let’s not forget booze. In my family, jell-o shots and beer are equally as essential as cranberry sauce or green bean casserole to the traditional meal. Alcohol acts as a sedative, enhancing the effects of the overall meal.

And let’s be honest, some of us are looking for any excuse to catch up on some z’s. Happy napping,
all!

http://chemistry.about.com/od/holidaysseasons/a/tiredturkey.htm