Do you find yourself struggling to fall asleep at night, chasing the promised
dream of restful sleep? If so, you’re not alone. Insomnia bothers millions, leaving many looking
for natural answers to get the restorative rest
they need. This Thanksgiving, you might find an
unexpected friend in a classic 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 Ashburn chiropractic patients at Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn 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 helps regulate
mood and sleep cycles. Serotonin is then converted into
melatonin, the hormone in charge of overseeing
your sleep-wake cycle. Consuming tryptophan-rich foods like turkey
can help boost these processes, making it easier
to drift off into restful sleep. Just look around the room after
your Ashburn Thanksgiving dinner!
HOW TURKEY CAN HELP WITH INSOMNIA
Turkey is one of the most well-known
sources of tryptophan, and acknowledgement of 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 better relaxation and
easier transitions into sleep.
Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn found a clinical study by Abad and
Guilleminault in Drugs & Aging quite good. (1) It features
the role tryptophan plays in natural insomnia management. The
research points out the ability of tryptophan-rich foods to boost
better sleep patterns without the reliance on heavy
pharmacological interventions—encouraging for anyone looking
for gentle, food-based sleep remedies.
Benefits Beyond Sleep
Beyond facilitating insomnia, turkey’s
tryptophan can have a greater effect on general
wellness:
- Mood Regulation: Serotonin derived from
tryptophan isn’t 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 leads to lower stress levels, creating 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? Combine 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 sleep-filled nights!
CONTACT Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn
Listen to this PODCAST
with Dr. Chris DeVeau, on The Back Doctors Podcast with
Dr. Michael Johnson as he illustrates the difficulty an arm
pain patient had sleeping and how he fostered relief with The
Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management.
Make your Ashburn chiropractic
appointment soon.