Is Tryptophan compatible with breastfeeding? Do we have alternatives for Tryptophan?

Tryptophan

July 21, 2017 (Low Risk)

Essential amino acid that is not produced by the body and must be taken from the diet.
It is naturally found in many proteins of animal and plant origin (eggs, milk, cheese, soy, marine fish, nuts).
It is a precursor of serotonin (George 1989, Yurcheshen 2015) through its metabolite 5-HTP or Oxitriptan (see card) and is credited with antioxidant properties (Tsopmo 2009).
There is no conclusive scientific evidence that tryptophan supplements are effective on depression, insomnia, attention deficit, other diseases or improvement of physical performance (Yurcheshen 2015).
It has been associated to a serious outbreak of Eosinophilia-Myalgia Syndrome with more than 1,500 cases and 37 deaths occurring in the 1990s, possibly caused by contaminated or poorly prepared batches of tryptophan (Falk 2011, Allen 2011, Sachs 2013, Yurcheshen 2015, Mediine Plus 2015). The FDA has launched a precautionary measure by withdrawing it from the market for years. At high doses it may cause side effects that are harmful to health (Fernstrom 2012).

Tryptophan is a natural component of breast milk, with higher concentration in colostrum than in mature milk (Zarando 1989, Kamimura 1991) which is believed to have a circadian rhythm that regulates the sleep pattern and behavior of the infant ( Heine 1995, Cubero 2005).
By taking tryptophan or alpha-lactalbumin (a high tryptophan-containing protein) tryptophan levels in breast milk is not increased (Dowlati 2015), but plasma prolactin concentration doest it (Chaney 1982, Cowen 1985) .

With a comprehensive diet, tryptophan supplements are not needed at all, as their effectiveness has not been proven yet in any disease or disorder.
Whenever used, a moderate consumption is recommended, making sure a reliable source since poisoning has been reported in the past.


See below the information of this related product:

Alternatives

Very Low Risk

Compatible. Not risky for breastfeeding or infant.

Low Risk

Moderately safe. Mild risk possible. Follow up recommended. Read the Comment.

High Risk

Poorly safe. Evaluate carefully. Use a safer alternative. Read the Comment.

Very High Risk

Not recommended. Cessation of breastfeeding or alternative.

Synonyms

  • L-Tryptophan

Writings

  • τρυπτοφάνη (Greek)
  • تريبتوفان (Arabic)
  • Триптофан (Cyrillic)
  • 色氨酸 (Chinese)
  • L-トリプトファン (Japanese)
  • C11H12N2O2 (Molecular formula)

Drug trade names

References

  1. Dowlati Y, Ravindran AV, Maheux M, Steiner M, Stewart DE, Meyer JH. No effect of oral L-tryptophan or alpha-lactalbumin on total tryptophan levels in breast milk. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol. 2015Abstract
  2. Yurcheshen M, Seehuus M, Pigeon W. Updates on Nutraceutical Sleep Therapeutics and Investigational Research. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2015Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  3. MedlinePlus. L-tryptophan. MedlinePlus Supplements 2015 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  4. Mediine Plus. L-triptofano. MedlinePlus suplementos. 2015 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  5. Sachs HC; Committee On Drugs. The transfer of drugs and therapeutics into human breast milk: an update on selected topics. Pediatrics. 2013Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  6. Fernstrom JD. Effects and side effects associated with the non-nutritional use of tryptophan by humans. J Nutr. 2012Abstract
  7. Allen JA, Peterson A, Sufit R, Hinchcliff ME, Mahoney JM, Wood TA, Miller FW, Whitfield ML, Varga J. Post-epidemic eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome associated with L-tryptophan. Arthritis Rheum. 2011Abstract
  8. Falk H, Briss P. Environmental- and injury-related epidemic-assistance investigations, 1946-2005. Am J Epidemiol. 2011Abstract
  9. Tsopmo A, Diehl-Jones BW, Aluko RE, Kitts DD, Elisia I, Friel JK. Tryptophan released from mother's milk has antioxidant properties. Pediatr Res. 2009Abstract
  10. Cubero J, Valero V, Sánchez J, Rivero M, Parvez H, Rodríguez AB, Barriga C. The circadian rhythm of tryptophan in breast milk affects the rhythms of 6-sulfatoxymelatonin and sleep in newborn. Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2005Abstract
  11. Carretti N, Bertazzo A, Comai S, Costa CV, Allegri G, Petraglia F. Serum tryptophan and 5-hydroxytryptophan at birth and during post-partum days. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2003Abstract
  12. AAP - American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Drugs. Transfer of drugs and other chemicals into human milk. Pediatrics. 2001Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  13. Heine WE. The significance of tryptophan in infant nutrition. Adv Exp Med Biol. 1999Abstract
  14. Villalpando S, Butte NF, Flores-Huerta S, Thotathuchery M. Qualitative analysis of human milk produced by women consuming a maize-predominant diet typical of rural Mexico. Ann Nutr Metab. 1998Abstract
  15. Heine W, Radke M, Wutzke KD. The significance of tryptophan in human nutrition. Amino Acids. 1995Abstract
  16. Kamimura S, Eguchi K, Sekiba K. Tryptophan and its metabolite concentrations in human plasma and breast milk during the perinatal period. Acta Med Okayama. 1991Abstract
  17. Zanardo V, Bacolla G, Biasiolo M, Allegri G. Free and bound tryptophan in human milk during early lactation. Biol Neonate. 1989Abstract
  18. George CF, Millar TW, Hanly PJ, Kryger MH. The effect of L-tryptophan on daytime sleep latency in normals: correlation with blood levels. Sleep. 1989Abstract
  19. Cowen PJ, Gadhvi H, Gosden B, Kolakowska T. Responses of prolactin and growth hormone to L-tryptophan infusion: effects in normal subjects and schizophrenic patients receiving neuroleptics. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 1985Abstract
  20. Green AR, Aronson JK, Cowen PJ. The pharmacokinetics of L-tryptophan following its intravenous and oral administration. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 1985Abstract
  21. Messinis IE, Souvatzoglou A, Fais N, Lolis D. Histamine H1 receptor participation in the control of prolactin secretion in postpartum. J Endocrinol Invest. 1985Abstract
  22. Charney DS, Heninger GR, Reinhard JF Jr, Sternberg DE, Hafstead KM. The effect of IV L-tryptophan on prolactin, growth hormone, and mood in healthy subjects. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 1982Abstract
  23. Møller SE. Pharmacokinetics of tryptophan, renal handling of kynurenine and the effect of nicotinamide on its appearance in plasma and urine following L-tryptophan loading of healthy subjects. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 1981Abstract
  24. Magnussen I, Nielsen-Kudsk F. Bioavailability and related pharmacokinetics in man of orally administered L-5-hydroxytryptophan in steady state. Acta Pharmacol Toxicol (Copenh). 1980Abstract
  25. Magnussen I, Nielsen-Kudsk F. Pharmacokinetics of intravenously administered L-5-hydroxytryptophan in man. Acta Pharmacol Toxicol (Copenh). 1979Abstract