Abstract
It is well established that the ratio of the plasma tryptophan concentration to those of the other large neutral ammo acids determines the transport of tryptophan into the brain. Brain tryptophan levels, in turn, control production of the neurotransmitter serotonin. Protein-rich meals, when consumed in the morning after an overnight fast, have been shown to decrease the plasma tryptophan ratio, while carbohydrate-rich meals have the opposite effect. We now show that these meals have similar effects when consumed for lunch, even if they are preceded by a small breakfast meal.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 211-217 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Journal of Neural Transmission |
Volume | 65 |
Issue number | 3-4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Sep 1986 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Tryptophan
- amino acid
- carbohydrate
- human
- protein
- serotonin
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Neurology
- Clinical Neurology
- Psychiatry and Mental health
- Biological Psychiatry