Why Aging People become Depressed, Fatigued, and Overweight.

www.lef.org
From Life Extension magazine comes this article by William Faloon on the clinical applications of L-tryptophan and its natural essential amino acid tryptophan.Tryptophan is the precursor to 5HT which with niacin and b-6 make serotonin in the liver using an enzyme tryptophan2,3-dioxygenase(TDO) if there is an excess another enzyme indoleamine2,3-dioxgenase(IDO) takes it free form in the bloodstream even if your brain needs it to make serotonin or down stream melatonin. As we age, these IDOs are eating up your good aminos because we produce more of these enzymes.Taking more tryptophan protein or 5HTP will be beaten unless we do two things. 1 take niacin as niacin deficiency requires tryptophan to be converted into niacin. 2 get curcumin aka tumeric in your diet as its anti-inflammatory properties will be protective of serotonin and you will feel better because you will have more of that happy go lucky serotonin in you. Clinical applications of L-tryptophan were discussed for sleep disorders, depression, PMS, carbohydrate cravings and weight loss. With depression so prevalent as well as sleep disorders this may be the future of clinical nutrition.
from Life Extension Magazine 2009 collector's edition pp 45-55