Hostname: page-component-7c8c6479df-fqc5m Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-03-18T02:19:30.269Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Tryptophan and depression: can diet alone be the answer?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 June 2014

Nerissa L. Soh*
Affiliation:
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, Northern Sydney Central Coast Area Health, North Ryde New South Wales, Australia
Garry Walter
Affiliation:
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, Northern Sydney Central Coast Area Health, North Ryde New South Wales, Australia Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
*
Dr Nerissa L. Soh, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, Northern Sydney Central Coast Area Health, Coral Tree Family Service, PO Box 142, North Ryde NSW 1670, Australia. Tel: +61 2 8877 5371; Fax: +61 2 9887 2941; E-mail: nsoh@nsccahs.health.nsw.gov.au

Extract

Objective: To compare the scientific content of recent general media articles on tryptophan, diet and depression, with recent empirical research into dietary manipulation of tryptophan published in the scientific literature.

Method: A review of the recent empirical research into the role of tryptophan in depression, focusing on dietary methods to influence tryptophan levels. In parallel, a review of recent articles in the general English language media regarding tryptophan and mood.

Results: Empirical evidence for improving mood through dietary manipulation of tryptophan is lacking, and it is difficult to change plasma tryptophan levels through diet alone. Tryptophan supplementation and depletion studies suggest that altering tryptophan levels may only benefit certain groups of patients who have a personal or family history of depression. Scientific studies also focus on elucidating mechanisms in depression, rather than treating depression by changing tryptophan levels. However, general media articles often recommend diets and foods to increase blood tryptophan levels and raise brain serotonin levels. Such recommendations are not supported by scientific studies.

Conclusion: It is very difficult to alter blood tryptophan levels through dietary methods alone, outside of a laboratory or research setting. Only a small number of lay articles provide sound advice, with general media reports on tryptophan often being hyperbolic and misleading. A clinician should be aware of the type of (mis)information a patient may have accessed and have the scientific knowledge to explain the impracticalities of influencing tryptophan levels through diet alone.

Type
Review Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2011

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1.Elango, R, Ball, R, Pencharz, P.Amino acid requirements in humans: with a special emphasis on the metabolic availability of amino acids. Amino Acids 2009;37:1927.Google Scholar
2.Shaw, KA, Turner, J, Del Mar, C.Tryptophan and 5-hydroxytryptophan for depression. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2002;1:Art No CD003198.Google Scholar
3.Benton, D, Donohoe, RT.The effects of nutrients on mood. Public Health Nutr 1999;2:403409.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
4.Bellisle, F, Blundell, JE, Dye, L et al. Functional food science and behaviour and psychological functions. Br J Nutr 1998;80:S173S193.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
5.Wurtman, RJ, Wurtman, JJ.Carbohydrates and depression. Science 1989;260:5057.Google ScholarPubMed
6.Young, SN.Some effects of dietary components (amino acids, carbohydrate, folic acid) on brain serotonin synthesis, mood, and behavior. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 1991;69:893903.Google Scholar
7.Merens, W, Willem Van der Does, AJ, Spinhoven, P.The effects of serotonin manipulations on emotional information processing and mood. J Affect Disord 2007;103:4362.Google Scholar
8.Markus, CR, Panhuysen, G, Tuiten, A, Koppeschaar, H, Fekkes, D, Peters, ML.Does carbohydrate-rich, protein-poor food prevent a deterioration of mood and cognitive performance of stress-prone subjects when subjected to a stressful task? Appetite 1998;31:4965.Google Scholar
9.Wurtman, RJ, Wurtman, JJ, Regan, MM, McDermott, JM, Tsay, RH, Breu, JJ.Effects of normal meals rich in carbohydrates or proteins on plasma tryptophan and tyrosine ratios. Am J Clin Nutr 2003;77:128132.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
10.Attenburrow, MJ, Williams, C, Odontiadis, J et al. The effect of a nutritional source of tryptophan on dieting-induced changes in brain 5-HT function. Psychol Med 2003;33:13811386.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
11.Schweiger, U, Laessle, R, Kittl, S, Dickhaut, B, Schweiger, M, Pirke, KM.Macronutrient intake, plasma large neutral amino acids and mood during weight-reducing diets. J Neural Transm 1986;67:7786.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
12.Dougherty, DM, Marsh-Richard, DM, Mathias, CW et al. Comparison of 50- and 100-g L-tryptophan depletion and loading formulations for altering 5-HT synthesis: pharmacokinetics, side effects, and mood states. Psychopharmacology 2008;198:431445.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
13.Booij, L, Merens, W, Markus, CR, Van der Does, AJ.Diet rich in alpha-lactalbumin improves memory in unmedicated recovered depressed patients and matched controls. J Psychopharmacol 2006;20:526535.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
14.Firk, C, Markus, CR.Mood and cortisol responses following tryptophan-rich hydrolyzed protein and acute stress in healthy subjects with high and low cognitive reactivity to depression. Clin Nutr 2009;28:266271.Google Scholar
15.Merens, W, Booij, L, Markus, R, Zitman, FG, Onkenhout, W, Van der Does, AJ.The effects of a diet enriched with alpha-lactalbumin on mood and cortisol response in unmedicated recovered depressed subjects and controls. Br J Nutr 2005;94:415422.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
16.Beulens, JW, Bindels, JG, De, GC, Alles, MS, Wouters-Wesseling, W.Alpha-lactalbumin combined with a regular diet increases plasma Trp-LNAA ratio. Physiol Behav 2004;81:585593.Google Scholar
17.Murphy, SE, Longhitano, C, Ayres, RE, Cowen, PJ, Harmer, CJ.Tryptophan supplementation induces a positive bias in the processing of emotional material in healthy female volunteers. Psychopharmacology 2006;187:121130.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
18.Moreno, FA, McGahuey, CA, Freeman, MP, Delgado, PL.Sex differences in depressive response during monoamine depletions in remitted depressive subjects. J Clin Psychiatry 2006;67:16181623.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
19.Markus, CR, Firk, C, Gerhardt, C, Kloek, J, Smolders, GF.Effect of different tryptophan sources on amino acids availability to the brain and mood in healthy volunteers. Psychopharmacology 2008;201:107114.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
20.Porter, RJ, Phipps, AJ, Gallagher, P, Scott, A, Stevenson, PS, O'Brien, JT.Effects of acute tryptophan depletion on mood and cognitive functioning in older recovered depressed subjects. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry 2005;13:607615.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
21.Moreno, FA, Heninger, GR, McGahuey, CA, Delgado, PL.Tryptophan depletion and risk of depression relapse: a prospective study of tryptophan depletion as a potential predictor of depressive episodes. Biol Psychiatry 2000;48:327329.Google Scholar
22.Booij, L, Van der, DW, Benkelfat, C et al. Predictors of mood response to acute tryptophan depletion. A reanalysis. Neuropsychopharmacology 2002;27:852861.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
23.Klaassen, T, Riedel, WJ, Van, SA, Deutz, NE, Honig, A, van Praag, HM.Mood effects of 24-hour tryptophan depletion in healthy first-degree relatives of patients with affective disorders. Biol Psychiatry 1999;46:489497.Google Scholar
24.Booij, L, Van der Does, AJ, Haffmans, PM, Riedel, WJ.Acute tryptophan depletion in depressed patients treated with a selective serotonin-noradrenalin reuptake inhibitor: augmentation of antidepressant response? J Affect Disord 2005;86:305311.Google Scholar
25.Delgado, PL, Price, LH, Miller, HL et al. Serotonin and the neurobiology of depression. Effects of tryptophan depletion in drug-free depressed patients. Arch Gen Psychiatry 1994;51:865874.Google Scholar
26.Roiser, JP, Levy, J, Fromm, SJ et al. The effects of tryptophan depletion on neural responses to emotional words in remitted depression. Biol Psychiatry 2009;66:441450.Google Scholar
27.Blomstrand, E, Møller, K, Secher, NH, Nybo, L.Effect of carbohydrate ingestion on brain exchange of amino acids during sustained exercise in human subjects. Acta Physiol Scand 2005;185:203209.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
28.Praschak-Rieder, N, Wilson, AA, Hussey, D et al. Effects of tryptophan depletion on the serotonin transporter in healthy humans. Biol Psychiatry 2005;58:825830.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
29.Nishizawa, S, Benkelfat, C, Young, SN et al. Differences between males and females in rates of serotonin synthesis in human brain. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 1997;94:53085313.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
30.Salomon, RM, Kennedy, JS, Johnson, BW et al. Association of a critical CSF tryptophan threshold level with depressive relapse. Neuropsychopharmacology 2003;28:956960.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
31.Hood, SD, Bell, CJ, Nutt, DJ.Acute tryptophan depletion. Part I: rationale and methodology. Aust N Z J Psychiatry 2005;39:558564.Google Scholar
32.Bell, CJ, Hood, SD, Nutt, DJ.Acute tryptophan depletion. Part II: clinical effects and implications. Aust N Z J Psychiatry 2005;39:565574.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
33.Hakkarainen, R, Partonen, T, Haukka, J, Virtamo, J, Albanes, D, Lonnqvist, J.Association of dietary amino acids with low mood. Depress Anxiety 2003;18:8994.Google Scholar
34.Markus, CR.Effects of carbohydrates on brain tryptophan availability and stress performance. Biol Psychol 2007;76:8390.Google Scholar
35.Mercieca, T. The natural way to get happy. Sunday Telegraph 2010:4.Google Scholar
36Feed your desire. The Toronto 12 February 2010.Google Scholar
37.Priesmeyer, M. Winter dragging you down? Here's a complete menu for beating the winter blues. Star Tribune 4 June 2009.Google Scholar
38Food that fills you up and keeps you slim. Prevention (India) 1 February 2010.Google Scholar
39.Krishnan, PR. Nutrition for those grey cells. The Hindu 28 January 2010.Google Scholar
40Food and your mood. Tufts University Health and Nutrition Letter 2010;27:45.Google Scholar
41.Khicha, P. Don't count sheep to sleep. The Hindu 22 November 2009.Google Scholar
42Mood boosters: foods that reduce stress. Marie Claire Magazine 4 November 2009.Google Scholar
43.Jones, C. Eat yourself HAPPY! Mirror 26 October 2009.Google Scholar
44.Pierleoni, A. No gray, author says: keep your brain exercised. The Sacramento Bee 22 October 2009.Google Scholar
45.Caradas, A. Eat your way to optimum brain function. Business Day (South Africa) 14 October 2009.Google Scholar
46.Fischer, K. The seven. The Mail on Sunday 6 September 2009.Google Scholar
47.Roberts, L. What's your FAT FATE? You don't need a crystal ball to discover whether you're going to struggle to stay in your skinny jeans – just take our quiz instead. The News of the World 14 July 2009.Google Scholar
48Winter harvest. The West Australian 4 June 2009.Google Scholar
49.Shaheen, E. Bananas add tropical aura. Gulf Daily News 22 March 2009.Google Scholar
50.Gan, E. Happy food for a lousy mood; certain kinds of food do make you feel and sleep better. Today (Singapore) 11 November 2008.Google Scholar
51.Fuller, B. Darker days. Illawarra mercury, Section: You 2008: 1617.Google Scholar
52.Highfield, R. Chocolate unlocks good feelings; a healthy reason to indulge: a key ingredient stimulates serotonin, which regulates emotions. Daily Telegraph, Section: Body and Health 7 June 2008.Google Scholar
53Food Standards Australia and New Zealand. NUTTAB 2006 Online version: foods that contain tryptophan. URL www.foodstandards.gov.au, http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/consumerinformation/nuttab2006/onlineversionintroduction/onlineversion.cfm?&action=nutrientFoods&nutrientID=TRYPFD, 2010 [Last updated on 8 January 2010; accessed on 18 January 2010].Google Scholar
54Food myths. Northern Territory News/Sunday Territorian, Section: BBQ Brainiac 2010: 14.Google Scholar
55.Aubrey, A. A myth examined: can Turkey make you tired? National Public Radio: Morning Edition 27 November 2008.Google Scholar
56.Rajiv, M. When food makes you feel good. The Hindu 5 January 2008.Google Scholar
57.Stanely, N, Milroy, P, Govindji, A. I'm so tired I'm falling asleep at work: when I sit still I fall asleep, which is embarrassing, especially during meetings at work. I only drink alcohol at weekends and have eight hours' sleep a night. What can I do? The Observer Magazine 2008:91.Google Scholar
58.Bailey, J. Happy meals. Allure 2009;19:113.Google Scholar
59Filipinos on holiday food mood advised to watch their diet, mood swings. Philippines News Agency 23 December 2009.Google Scholar
60Time to bust-a-mood about food. Daily Camera 14 August 2009.Google Scholar
61No ordinary bedtime story. Manila Bulletin, Section: Well-Being 24 November 2009.Google Scholar
62.Taylor, V. The science of food cravings; or why we never binge on broccoli. The Hamilton Spectator 3 April 2009.Google Scholar
63.Jacobs, D. Fairness, not size, matters most; the desire to be treated fairly rules with most workers. Vancouver Sun, Section: Weekend Review 19 July 2008.Google Scholar
64.King, J. How food instead of pills lifted my mood. The Mail on Sunday 27 April 2008.Google Scholar
65.Fernstrom, JD.Can nutrient supplements modify brain function? Am J Clin Nutr 2000;71:1669S1675S.Google Scholar
66.Barrett, S. Notes on the tryptophan disaster. Quackwatch, URL http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/DSH/trypto.html, 2010 [Last updated on 22 December 2001; accessed on 18 January 2010].Google Scholar
67.Leathwood, PDPPollet, P.Diet-induced mood changes in normal populations. J Psychiatr Res 1982;17:147154.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
68.Forrest, CM, Mackay, GM, Stoy, N et al. Tryptophan loading induces oxidative stress. Free Radic Res 2004;38: 11671171.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
69.Robinson, OJ, Sahakian, BJ.Acute tryptophan depletion evokes negative mood in healthy females who have previously experienced concurrent negative mood and tryptophan depletion. Psychopharmacology 2009;205:227235.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed