Med. praxi. 2018;15(1):38-42 | DOI: 10.36290/med.2018.007

L-tryptofan – a nutraceutical with impact on mental health

MUDr. Dana Kamarádová, Ph.D.1, prof. MUDr. Vilím Šimánek, DrSc.2
1 Klinika psychiatrie, Fakultní nemocnice Olomouc
2 Ústav lékařské chemie a biochemie LF UP, Olomouc

L-tryptophan is an essential amino acid of the human diet. Apart from its incorporation into body proteins, L-tryptophan is theprecursor of serotonin and other neurotransmitters in the brain and gastro intestinal tract. This brief overview covers the role ofL-tryptophan in brain serotonin synthesis as an important factor in mood, cognition and social behaviour.

Keywords: L-tryptophan, nutrition, metabolites, 5-hydroxytryptophan, serotonin, mood disorder, behaviour

Published: March 1, 2018  Show citation

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Kamarádová D, Šimánek V. L-tryptofan – a nutraceutical with impact on mental health. Med. praxi. 2018;15(1):38-42. doi: 10.36290/med.2018.007.
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