Tryptophan and Thanksgiving?

For years now, I have been hearing that the reason people get tired and like to take naps on Thanksgiving is because of the all the tryptophan found in the turkey that we eat. The idea is that the amino acid, tryptophan, found in turkey increases serotonin, which makes us sleepy.

I am beginning to wonder if I am the only one who thinks that this is complete and utter B.S.!!!! I mean come on, give me and the poor turkey a break already.

First of all, I eat turkey ALL the time, and I don't get tired after eating it. I don't just eat turkey at Thanksgiving, I eat it at least weekly, it's low fat, high quality protein. By the way, there are other amino acids found in turkey, some other than tryptophan that actually stimulate our bodies, not make us drowsy.

Second, has anyone considered for a moment, that it might not be the turkey at all? And that it might actually be all the carbohydrates, like all the stuffing, mashed potatos, sweet potato casserole, cranberry relish, bread, pumpkin pie, etc, that we consume in massive, unprecedented proportions??

Oh yeah, don't forget that slice or two of turkey with all those carbs. Now, that must be the true culprit. The turkey, and not all the 95% else that we gorge on that day. But that's science for you (you know, ignore the obvious and go with the smallest thing we can microscopically study).

Now here's the kicker...Guess which food has the most PROFOUND impact on our serotonin levels?? Candy and sweets or better known simply as SUGAR!!! But the effects are short lived...lasting only a couple hours. Then for those of us addicted to sugar, a couple hours later, we're out to get our next fix. This is the whole idea behind low-carb or balanced meals (carbs, fats, protein), to help reduce the swings and provide a more stable consistent blood sugar and neurotransmitter levels.

Ok, how about some ancient trivia. The amino acid l-tryptophan, the pre-cursor to serotonin, was actually available over the counter in capsule form in health food stores up until the mid to late 80's (but a single bad batch produced in Japan in the late 80's, caused a wide spread alarm and it was quickly taken off the market and hasn't returned, and probably won't any time soon.).

Interestingly enough, around that same time, the new SSRI anti-depressants were created and released for human consumption. By the way, for those not inclined with scientific jargon, anti-depressants should really be called "FEEL GREAT" drugs, but that doesn't sound very professional. So let's call them anti-feel-bad drugs. That way you can continue to reference depression while you're taking the medicine. Makes sense to me...No, not really.

Anyway, these new SSRI's slow the reuptake of serotonin in our brains so that there is more serotonin available. And it should be noted that these new SSRI's also combine ways to increase serotonin and norepinephrine, which acts as a bit of stimulant to presumably to counter-act the effects of too much serotonin.

In closing and to recap...

• Serotonin, whose precursor is l-tryptophan (commonly found in turkey and other foods) is indeed a 'feel good' neurotransmitter.
• Eating simple carbohyrates is the fastest way to increase serotonin (not turkey).
• To slow that vicous cycle of sugar addiction, it's been suggested by nutritionists to eat protein and fat with the carbs in moderation for more balance and to reduce cravings.
• We can actually use FOOD (as well as bodywork, expressing our emotions, etc) to regulate our feel-good system.

Finally, consider the turkey (who if Benjamin Franklin had his way, the turkey would be our national symbol).

It's truly amazing to me that turkeys don't just sleep all day with HUGE smiles on their faces because of all that tryptophan they have coarsing through their system. They must truly be the most sleepy and happy, I mean, er, anti-depressed animals on the planet!! Of course, except around Thanksgiving.

Happy turkey day!