Do you find yourself struggling to fall asleep at night, chasing the elusive promise 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 ally in an iconic holiday food—turkey. A nutritional approach to health may be worth exploring! With its high levels of tryptophan, turkey offers a yummy
and healthful way to boost better sleep which is so important for
our Montreal chiropractic patients at Dr. Hoang's Chiropractic Clinic who are healing
from back pain or neck pain.
WHAT IS TRYPTOPHAN?
Tryptophan is a vital amino acid that is
important in the process of producing
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 simpler
to fall off into restful sleep. Just look around the room after
your Montreal Thanksgiving dinner!
HOW TURKEY CAN HELP WITH INSOMNIA
Turkey is one of the most highly recognized
sources of tryptophan, and acknowledgement of its deliciously
lean protein, it’s a great addition to your diet if you are
looking to enhance sleep quality. When combined with
carbohydrates (think mashed potatoes or stuffing), tryptophan absorption is optimized,
increasing the likelihood of better relaxation and
easier shifts into sleep.
Dr. Hoang's Chiropractic Clinic found a clinical study by Abad and
Guilleminault in Drugs & Aging quite interesting. (1) It features
the role tryptophan plays in natural insomnia management. The
research emphasizes the ability of tryptophan-rich foods to promote
better sleep patterns without relying on heavy
pharmacological interventions—inspiring for anyone seeking gentle, food-based sleep remedies.
Benefits Beyond Sleep
Beyond aiding with insomnia, turkey’s
tryptophan can have a cascading effect on general
wellness:
- Mood Regulation: Serotonin derived from
tryptophan is not 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 indulge in your
Thanksgiving turkey with a side of gratitude 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) Here is a shout-out to delicious meals, science-backed
solutions, and a season of sleep-filled nights!
CONTACT Dr. Hoang's Chiropractic Clinic
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 helped with relief with The
Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management.
Make your Montreal chiropractic
appointment now.