Do you find yourself tossing and
turning at night, trying anything to get that promised
dream of restful sleep? If so, you are not alone. Insomnia bothers 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 a classic holiday food—turkey. A nutritional approach to health may be worth exploring! With its high concentrations of tryptophan, turkey offers a tasty
and healthful way to boost better sleep which is so important for
our Manchester chiropractic patients at Manchester Chiropractic & Sports Injuries 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 assists in regulating mood and sleep cycles. Serotonin is then changed into
melatonin, the hormone in charge of managing
your sleep-wake cycle. Eating tryptophan-rich foods like turkey
can help increase these processes, making it easier
to fall off into restful sleep. Just look around the room after
your Manchester Thanksgiving dinner!
HOW TURKEY CAN HELP WITH INSOMNIA
Turkey is one of the most well-known
sources of tryptophan, and thanks to its deliciously
lean protein, it’s a great addition to your diet if you are
looking to boost sleep quality. When paired with
carbohydrates (think mashed potatoes or stuffing), tryptophan absorption is optimized,
raising the likelihood of better relaxation and
easier shifts into sleep.
Manchester Chiropractic & Sports Injuries found a clinical study by Abad and
Guilleminault in Drugs & Aging quite good. (1) It highlights
the role tryptophan plays in natural insomnia management. The
research emphasizes the ability of tryptophan-rich foods to boost
better sleep patterns without relying on heavy
pharmacological interventions—encouraging for anyone seeking gentle, food-based sleep remedies.
Benefits Beyond Sleep
Beyond facilitating 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, allowing your holidays to be a little
brighter.
- Reduced Stress: A balanced serotonin-melatonin cycle can
lead to 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 indulge in your
Thanksgiving turkey with a side of thankfulness for the
sleep-enhancing benefits it offers? Pair 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 enhance
sleep. (2) Cheers to delicious meals, science-backed
solutions, and a season of restful nights!
CONTACT Manchester Chiropractic & Sports Injuries
Listen to this PODCAST
with Dr. Chris DeVeau, on The Back Doctors Podcast with
Dr. Michael Johnson as he describes the difficulty an arm
pain patient had sleeping and how he fostered relief with The
Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management.
Make your Manchester chiropractic
appointment now.