Definition

Tryptophan is an essential amino acid–amino acids being the building blocks of proteins. This amino acid is essential because the body cannot produce it using other amino acids, meaning it must come from one’s diet. Tryptophan is the precursor to serotonin and is naturally fluorescent.

Health considerations

If an insufficient amount of essential amino acids are consumed consistently, those doing so may run the risk of being diagnosed with protein deficiencies such as kwashiorkor or marasmus. These deficiencies are often noted with symptoms such as bloated abdomen and fatigue, much the same as the symptoms of general malnourishment.

May be found in

Soy, seaweed, whitefish, cheese, milk, molluscs, egg whites, seal, whale

References

WIKI Books
Self Nutrition Data

Alternative Spellings and Names

Trp, W

Leave a comment

*