L-Tryptophan is one of the amino acids that make up a complete protein. It was also used by millions of people as a safe, inexpensive and effective supplement to treat insomnia, depression, anxiety, migraines, and assist in pain reduction and weight loss.

In 1989, a Japanese company made a contaminated batch of

L-Tryptophan. This one batch caused thousands of cases of (EMS), eosinophilia myalgia syndrome. Thirty-nine cases resulted in death.

The FDA subsequently banned the sale of L-Tryptophan to the public as a dietary supplement on March 22nd 1990. Four days later, in a lead featured article in "Newsweek" Prozac was introduced to the general public.

Although the loss of life is very unfortunate, the timing of these events plus the banning of L-Tryptophan appears highly unusual considering the amount of deaths that occur each year from prescription drugs.

However, L-Tryptophan was never completely removed from the market. It was continually used in baby food, and was available for use in animal husbandry.

L-Tryptophan is essential to life and is needed for our bodies to maintain a balanced emotional state. Since L-Tryptophan increases the production of serotonin and antidepressants only speed up the firing of serotonin into the brain, it may be worthwhile to thoroughly research L-Tryptophan before considering antidepressants.

Additional things I've learned about L-Tryptophan:

1. It must compete with other amino acids to get across the blood brain barrier.

2. Vitamin B6 (a co-enzyme) must be present to help make the conversion from L-Tryptophan to serotonin.

3. Taking L-Tryptophan with juice, (such as orange juice) will help get it across the blood brain barrier.

4. If your body is low in niacin, L-Tryptophan will be used to make niacin and not serotonin.

5. It is best to take L-Tryptophan on an empty stomach.

6. Some information supports the notion that additional Vitamin C and B complex vitamin supplementation supports L-Tryptophan's conversion to serotonin.