Psychol Med. 1990 Nov;20(4):785-91.

Dieting reduces plasma tryptophan and alters brain 5-HT function in women.

Anderson IM, Parry-Billings M, Newsholme EA, Fairburn CG, Cowen PJ.

Source

University of Oxford, Department of Biochemistry.

Abstract

A three week low calorie diet significantly reduced both total plasma tryptophan and the ratio of tryptophan to competing amino acids in a group of 15 healthy volunteers. Despite a similar percentage weight loss the reduction in plasma tryptophan was greater in women than men. In addition, only in women was dieting associated with increased prolactin secretion following intravenous tryptophan, a measure of brain 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) function. These results suggest that dieting reduces the availability of circulating tryptophan for brain 5-HT synthesis. Women appear more vulnerable than men both to this effect and to its consequences for brain 5-HT function. Altered brain 5-HT function may play a part in some of the psychological consequences of dieting, including the development of clinical eating disorders.

PMID:: 2284387; [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

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Grant Support

Wellcome Trust/United Kingdom

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(L)-TRYPTOPHAN - HSDB

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