The Truth about L-Tryptophan:
Do You Really Need It At All?
by Ritchi Morris, Di. Sci., Ph.D., H.M.D., N.D.
Vital Quests, Associates for Health & Performance Improvement
INTRODUCTION
The furor raised by the conflict between governmental sources and holistically oriented people and practitioners over the possible toxicity of L-tryptophan has generated a profusion of phone calls, letters, and other types of inquiries to my office by professional/Olympic athletes, daily patients, relatives, etc.
This clamor reminds one of an anecdote: It seem some travelers were lost in a maze of trees when suddenly a terrific storm began. Amidst terrible claps of thunder, one of these lost souls fell to his knees, looked heavenward and said, "Oh, Lord, a little less noise (thunder) and a lot more lightening would be more appreciated." In a similar vein, thousands of Americans have felt lost in a quagmire of conflicting data and are searching for a healthy way out.
THE PROBLEM
In early November, 1989, the United States F.D.A. issued warnings against taking L-tryptophan. A series of media caverages explained that: .. numerous reports of a blood disorder were associated with it (L-tryptophan)...affected persons in most of the cases have reported taking L-tryptophan products before becoming ill. Doctors have reported 31 cases of the disorder, eosirbaphilia, a sometimes fatal disease whose symptoms are sharp muscular pain, fatigue, fever, and rashes. Eosinophilia is characterized by high counts of eosinophils, a type of white blood cell, and is associated with bronchial asthma, allergies, parasitic infections or reactions to medication."
Researchers at Texas A&M College discovered abnormal reactions and damage in the livers of their experimental animals (New York Times, 11/11/89). The syndrome can cause a fever as high as 105 degrees, weakness, muscle and joint pain and swelling
of the arms and legs. The muscle aches can be severe enough to prevent someone from carrying on routine activities. This ailment can also cause shortness of breath and pneumonia. The affliction's name is derived from the muscular aches or myalgia that accompanies it. It is a blood abnormality characterized by marked increases in the number of a type of white blood cells (eosinophils). The Esoinaphils ordinarily make up 1 or 2% of a white blood cell count. In this syndrome the eosinophil counts have been traced up to 30 times the normal amount.
On November 18th, 1989, the New York state Department of Health banned the sale and distribution of L-tryptophan: "The ban is effective immediately. All of the products should be off the shelves this weekend .... until it's clear what is the cause of the problem, our feeling here in New York is to be as safe as possible and get this product off the shelves," said Vicki Zeldin of the New York State Department of Health.
In New York there have been 12 confirmed cases thus far and federal officials have recorded 287 cases. Nationally, officials have asked doctors or other individuals to report cases to the State Health Department at 1-800-458-1158 or 518-458-6228. In New York City the number of the Health Department is 212-566-0954. At the writing of this article, the C.D.C. in Atlanta had issued statements linking the reason for this outbreak to one particular Japanese producer of L-tryptophan. In his February 8th, 1990 article in the Wall Street Journal, James Schiffman reports that C.D.C. investigators in Oregon had identified the Tokyo-based Showa Denko K.K. as the supplier of the tainted L-tryptcphan.
"In Oregon, health officials traced L-tryptophan taken by 43 people with the disease and found that in the case of 42 of them the substance was supplied by Showa Denko, said Larry Slutsker, a medical epidemiologist with the Oregon Health division. 12 lots of 5howa Denko L-tryptophan were implicated." (Wall Street Journal, Wednesday, January 31st/February 8th, 1990).
THE ROLE AND IMPORTANCE OF L-TRYPTOPHAN AND AMINO ACIDS
L-tryptophan is one of the eight essential amino acids. Its most widely publicized function is its role as a precursor for Serotonin (a neuro-transmitter commonly called the "serum of sleep"). Many people have had success using L-tryptophan to manage depression, insomnia, carbohydrate cravings and even jet lag. This has been demonstrated to be due to the conversion of L-tryptophan to Serotonin by the body. The Serotonin is then secreted by the Pons in our brain stem and it acts as an inhibitor to the Central Nervous System.
Recent indiscriminate use of large doses of L-tryptophan has been shown to cause abnormal liver changes. Reporting in the Journal of Nutrition, Michael E. Trulson, et al. of Texas A&M College gave doses of L-tryptophan (roughly equivalent to those amounts people take to induce sleep) to experimental rats. They then examined the animals' livers. The researchers say they found abnormally large spaces and fatty deposits (New York Daily News, 12/25/89).
Dr. Anthony LeRay, one of America's finest Applied Kinesiologists and Nutritionists in our clinic in Rockland County asserts: "To obtain the benefits of L-tryptophan most efficiently without experiencing the above side effects would be to optimize the conversion of L-tryptophan from food sources (e.g.: milk; red meats; turkey) by providing adequate co-factors that are necessary for the conversion to Serotonin in the body. These co-factors are Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Iron, and Vitamin B3 (Niacin)." Dr. LeRoy points out that an even more efficient process would be to activate a conversion of Serotonin to Melotonin cycle. Produced in the Pineal gland, Melotonin is the hormone known as the "regulator of regulators." That is, it controls all of the hormones and is especially important for people with multiple endocrine problems. Unfortunately, the scope of this article does not permit further explication of this process here. The essential Point to realize here is that L-tryptophan works synergistically with the other amino acids. It is dangerous to interrupt or interfere with the L-tryptophan could cause gross imbalances and essential biochemical processes of your body. Thus, certain minimum amounts of L-tryptcphan are absolutely necessary for the homeostasis (balance) and welfare of your body and mind.
THERE'S GOOD NEWS, GREAT NEWS AND A CAUTION
Given the foregoing data, one can surmise the floodtide of inquiries visited upon our offices. After all, sleep disturbances, PMS, and/or nervous dysfunctions, take their toll upon our professional and Olympic/world class athletes as well as students, professional and business people. Indeed, most any situation wherein high pressure/stress is endemic - pressure to succeed or win in any shape or manner
- breeds fears and anxieties in profusion. One recent case epitomizes this syndrome: Mr. W. C., a poorly aging criminal lawyer of some local fame in central Pennsylvania, has suffered for years from sleep disturbances, impotence, etc. This is probably due to the nefarious nature of his practice and clients and/or his opulent lifestyle. The years have not been kind to this once fair wrestler and sometime upper body part builder. He attributes this to the poor sleep, lack thereof, and heavy stress of his career. Some "locker room pharmacist" or self-proclaimed nutritionist told him to take L-tryptophan It has helped him but, now what? Back to the sagging skin, wrinkles, lethargy and dark circles under his eyes???
Well, there are several bits of GOOD NEWS for W.C. and everyone! L-tryptophan is totally unnecessary in the above contexts. Yes, the F.D.A. is correct - you should not ingest extra dosages of L-tryptophan; there's no reason to take L-tryptophan for the above disturbances. Furthermore and most important, chemical sleep medications are largely unnecessary also. Reputable studies reveal that these medications do not induce a true sleep state and actually deprive individuals of their all-important/mandatory REM periods (dreaming). One needs only to read the novel "I'm Dancing As Fast I Can" in order to realize the seductively addictive side effects of these chemical potions (has anyone seen Elvis Presley lately?).
Here's the GREAT NEWS: Those of us who are Homeopaths, Naturopaths, and/or master Herbalists have never recommended L-tryptophan for the above problems. I have treated hundreds and hundreds of Olympic and/or professional athletes, actors, actresses, students, and professional and business people for these disturbances and NEVER, NEVER relied upon L-tryptophan. That's right! There is a plethora of herbal, homeopathic, and Bach Flower remedies which act very effectively as soporifics without any reported side effects. Due to the limited scope of this article, only a few salient substances are explored.
The world of herbs provides many plants which have somnifacient properties. The Chinese method of treatment for people with nervous insomnia, PMS, etc., utilizes several herbs in tea or beverage form which I have found to be particularly effective. "Chi-Hsueh-Ts'ao" (Catnip), from the mint family, mixes well with Scullcap, celery seeds, and valerian root in a tea. The other highly effective Chinese/Japanese herb is "Lu-Ts'ao" ao" or "Lai-Mei-Ts'' ao" (Wild Hops). This is the very same plant found in beer. The active ingredient that acts as a sedative and anodyne (pain killer) is Lupulin. "Lu1t's' ao" (hops) can be employed in several different fashions such as teas, "pillows," poultices, and fomenta-tions. Specific applications are discussed below.
There are several homeopathics which serve well as remedies for the aforementioned problem. It must be emphasized that in Homeopathy as well as Herbology each set of symptoms presents a unique pattern which must be diagnosed and treated accordingly. However, generally there have been remedies which are traditional favorites. Valeriana Officinalis is widely used as a sedative. Another mainstay is Passiflora Incarnata. Also, depending upon the synptornatology, Dhix Vomica, or Ignatia Amara, or Hyoscyanaas Niger can be assigned. lastly, Chamomilla has been utilized in pellets, tincture, salve, and/or a tea very effectively. Two favorites of many that I've recommended with great success are:
1. The "Morrisip" - Take one half ounce each of Catnip, Scullcap, Valerian Root, and Passiflora and mix together in a container. Pour one quart of boiling water over this mixture. Cover the container and allow this infusion to stand for 20-30 minutes and then strain it. One cupful should be taken three to four times a day one hour after meals and about one half hour before bedtime. Honey may be used as a sweetener according to taste.
2. The "Hop Pillow" - Fill a muslin or cotton bag loosely with hops, tie the opening securely and attach the bag to your regular pillow with a basting thread (of course, the muslin bag or pillowcase will need to be washed). Thus, the hops should be replaced or renewed monthly.
In sum, one can see viable and valid natural alternatives to L-tryptophan for abating or eradicating sleep disturbances, PMS, or nervous dysfunctions. While L-tryptophan is important to certain essential biochemical processes, the world of herbs and botanicals provides a myriad of remedies that obviate the necessity to use L-tryptophan or chemical formulations. These substances have demonstrated their efficacy over hundreds of years in the Chinese and homeopathic treatment modalities. Today, they are available at most reputable health food sources either as individual or in combination formulas designed to address the above problems.
A WORD OF CAUTION:
Herbalists point out that plant medicines often widely vary in the amounts of their active substances. They also point to the inconsistent quality of many herbal medications. Paul Bergner a Medical Herbalist writing in Health World (March/April, 1990) states that there are many factors which can contribute to the inconsistent levels of active substances in plants. The plant must be identified properly at harvesting, the correct plant part mist be used, the plant harvested in the proper season, and it must be free from adulterants. He further points out that, although individual expert Herbalists may be able to accomplish these things consistently, such care is rare on a commercial level. For some plants, standardized extracts can solve the prablem of consistency, while still maintaining the properties of the whole plant.
If you have any questions, concerns, or need more information, feel free to contact me.
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