What are the functions of tryptophan?

Many people don’t know much about tryptophan. In fact, tryptophan is a precursor substance for the biosynthesis of auxin in plants. In clinical practice, tryptophan has also been used for a long time. It has a good effect on treating insomnia, helping to stabilize emotions, and producing serotonin in the blood.

1. Tryptophan is an important precursor substance for the biosynthesis of auxin in plants , and auxin can be synthesized through tryptophan. More than 95% of tryptophan in the human body is broken down by tryptophan-2,3-oxygenase in liver cells. When liver cells are damaged, the amount and activity of this enzyme decreases. Diseases caused by disorders in the tryptophan metabolism process can be seen in liver dysfunction, tryptophanuria, hydroxykynureninuria and xanthonic aciduria. The latter three are hereditary diseases caused by disorders in the main metabolic pathway from tryptophan to niacin and coenzyme I.

2. Tryptophan in plasma is divided into two parts: free and albumin-bound . About 90% of tryptophan is bound to albumin for transport, and 10% is free tryptophan. More than 95% of tryptophan in the human body is broken down by tryptophan-2,3-oxygenase in liver cells. When liver cells are damaged, the content and activity of this enzyme decrease, and the ability to decompose tryptophan decreases, resulting in an increase in the tryptophan concentration in plasma.

3. Mainly treat insomnia and help stabilize emotions. It works together with vitamin B6, niacin and magnesium in the brain to produce serotonin in the blood, which is an essential neurotransmitter and a neurohormone that allows people to sleep normally. A sufficient amount of vitamin B6 is necessary for the formation of tryptophan, which is necessary for the formation of serotonin.