Do you find yourself struggling to fall asleep at night, chasing the elusive promise of restful sleep? If so, you are not the
only one. Insomnia affects millions, leaving many looking
for natural solutions to get the restorative rest
they so want and desire. This Thanksgiving, you might find an
unexpected help in an iconic holiday food—turkey. A nutritional approach to health may be worth exploring! With its high levels of tryptophan, turkey offers a tasty
and healthful way to boost better sleep which is so important for
our Groton chiropractic patients at Shoreline Medical Services/ Hutter Chiropractic Office who are healing
from back pain or neck pain.
WHAT IS TRYPTOPHAN?
Tryptophan is an essential amino acid that is
important in the process of 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. Consuming tryptophan-rich foods like turkey
can help increase these processes, making it simpler
to drift off into restful sleep. Just look around the room after
your Groton Thanksgiving dinner!
HOW TURKEY CAN HELP WITH INSOMNIA
Turkey is one of the most highly recognized
sources of tryptophan, and thanks to its deliciously
lean protein, it’s a terrific addition to your diet if you are
looking to boost sleep quality. When combined with
carbohydrates (think mashed potatoes or stuffing), tryptophan absorption is optimized,
increasing the likelihood of improved relaxation and
easier shifts into sleep.
Shoreline Medical Services/ Hutter Chiropractic Office 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 points out the ability of tryptophan-rich foods to boost
better sleep patterns without relying on heavy
pharmacological interventions—encouraging 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 isn’t 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 packed with lean protein, essential nutrients like selenium,
and a host 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? 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 support
sleep. (2) Cheers to delicious meals, science-backed
solutions, and a season of sleep-filled nights!
CONTACT Shoreline Medical Services/ Hutter Chiropractic Office
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.
Schedule your Groton chiropractic
appointment soon.