Lots of Sitka Sleep Problems Help from Turkey & Its Tryptophan
Do you find yourself tossing and turning at night, chasing the elusive promise of restful sleep? If so, you are not alone. Insomnia affects millions, leaving many searching for natural answers to get the restorative rest they so want and desire. This Thanksgiving, you might find an unexpected ally in an iconic holiday staple—turkey. With its high concentrations of tryptophan, turkey offers a tasty and healthful way to support better sleep which is so important for our Sitka chiropractic patients at Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka who are healing from back pain or neck pain.
WHAT IS TRYPTOPHAN?
Tryptophan is a vital 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 responsible for overseeing your sleep-wake cycle. Eating tryptophan-rich foods like turkey can help boost these processes, making it simpler to fall off into restful sleep. Just look around the room after your Sitka 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 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, increasing the likelihood of improved relaxation and easier shifts into sleep.
Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka found a clinical study by Abad and Guilleminault in Drugs & Aging quite interesting. (1) It features the role tryptophan plays in natural insomnia management. The research emphasizes the ability of tryptophan-rich foods to promote better sleep patterns without relying on heavy pharmacological interventions—inspiring for anyone wanting 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 taken from tryptophan is not just for sleep—it’s also a natural mood stabilizer, making your holidays a little brighter.
- Reduced Stress: A balanced serotonin-melatonin cycle leads to lower stress levels, generating 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 bunch 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 support sleep. (2) Here is a shout-out to delicious meals, science-backed solutions, and a season of sleep-filled nights!
CONTACT Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka
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.
