“Although several amino acids can be acutely or chronically toxic, even lethal, when too much is eaten, tryptophan is the only amino acid that is also carcinogenic. (It can also produce a variety of toxic metabolites, and it is very susceptible to damage by radiation.) Since tryptophan is the precursor serotonin, the amount of tryptophan in the diet can have important effects on the way the organism responds stress, and the way it develops, adapts, and ages.” -Ray Peat
This is an interesting quote, thanks for posting it Cari.
I wonder if anyone has any thoughts on the use of the supplement whey powder, used by many athletes as a protein source. In addition to being very high in tryptophan it is also in many cases sourced from companies engaged in modern day cheese manufacturing where vegetable rennet is used as opposed to the bacteria in animal sourced rennet used in traditional cheese making.
Author
J.R.K