Efeito e possíveis benefícios do triptofano no transtorno da ansiedade

Abstract

Anxiety disorder is a frequent and notorious problem in today's lifestyle. The World Health Organization highlights the occurrence of a global and regional prevalence of anxiety disorder. Brazil is the country with the highest number of anxious people in the world. The regulation of mood and anxiety are relate to the neurotransmitter serotonin, with the amino acid tryptophan being its main precursor. Tryptophan is an essential amino acid, that is, the human body cannot synthesize it, being obtained through dietary protein. Possibly, the context of low available tryptophan concentrations for brain serotonin synthesis may contribute to increased anxiety, eating change style, and may hypothetically modify mood by managing the brain's uptake of tryptophan. This systematic review aimed to point out whether the intake of foods rich in tryptophan helps in emotional well-being as a way of contributing to the reduction of the progression of anxiety symptoms. Scientific articles from randomized clinical trials on electronic platforms, published in the last 10 years, which had as a primary or secondary outcome of the analysis, whether tryptophan was favorable or not to anxiety symptoms in men and women over 18 years were reviewed. The study focused on analyzing results through supplementation techniques with a protein hydrolyzate and through dietary methods. The results suggests a positive tendency to consume foods rich in tryptophan so that its effect on the release of serotonin in the CNS brings its due benefits on anxiety disorders, and the intervention of hydrolyzed protein supplement suggests that the alteration of tryptophan levels may benefit the groups observed, however, it opens up gaps for further large-scale research on the effect of tryptophan on anxiety disorder. Although the publications found demonstrate modest positive effects on mood states, well-being and anxiety disorders, the results are inconsistent, given that few clinical studies have addressed the effects of dietary tryptophan consumption on anxiety disorders, as well as the impact of use of this supplementation modifies the activity of serotonin synapses in the central nervous system. New randomized clinical trials that objectively seek to improve mood and observable clinical outcomes of anxiety disorders through dietary manipulation of tryptophan are need.