Role of essential amino acid tryptophan in causing sleep disorders and anxiety-depressive disorders

Sleep is one of the most important and vital physiological processes in the human body. In addition to the length of daylight hours, the nature of work activity, bad habits (smoking, alcohol abuse, excessive consumption of caffeine-containing drinks, psychostimulants), the factors that violate the duration and quality of sleep include the nature and style of nutrition, as well as eating habits that affect daily intake vital nutrients (vitamins, essential amino acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, etc.). Tryptophan is one of the essential amino acids associated with sleep disturbance. Given the high clinical significance of sleep disorders in the development of neurological diseases and mental disorders, the interest of researchers in the study of modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors for sleep disorders is growing. Objective: to analyze and systematize the results of fundamental and clinical studies of recent years on the role of tryptophan in the development of sleep disorders and anxiety-depressive disorders in adults. Materials and methods. This thematic review included available full-text publications obtained as a result of a literary search in the domestic (E-Library) and foreign databases (PubMed, Scopus, Oxford University Press, Springer, Web of Science Core Collection). Results. The role of tryptophan as a key link in the synthesis of melatonin and serotonin in the occurrence of sleep disorders and anxiety-depressive disorders is significant and can be used for further study. Conclusion. Based on the review of the literature, it can be concluded that one of the important mechanisms of sleep disturbance and the occurrence of anxiety and depressive disorders is insufficient intake of tryptophan in the body. This pattern is a consequence of the consumption of food with a low content of this essential amino acid. Considering the consequences that tryptophan depletion can lead to in the human body, competent nutritional support is a necessary measure.

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