Thanksgiving is almost here and once again we will see pictures of turkeys and talk about tryp-to-phan. What is the origin of the word? I’m pretty sure it originated from the Greek word phan which means couch. And after you have a big turkey dinner, what do you do? You take a trip-to-couch. There you go!

So what is tryptophan, anyway? And why do people have a hard time staying awake after a Thanksgiving dinner? Tryptophan is an amino acid that the body uses in the processes of making vitamin B3 and serotonin, both of which help to regulate our sleep.

Usually, tryptophan doesn’t have much of an impact unless it’s taken on an empty stomach and in an amount larger than what we’re getting from our drumstick and a few pieces of white meat. That sounds like me. I am sure that a lot of people go into Thanksgiving dinner on an empty stomach and gorge themselves on turkey and a whole bunch of other stuff.

Overeating also has something to do with it and since the turkey is usually the biggest plate on the table, it usually gets all the blame and attention. It takes a lot of energy to digest a big feast (the average Thanksgiving meal contains 3,000 calories and 229 grams of fat), so blood is sent to the digestive process system, leaving the brain feeling a little tired and looking for a place to rest: trip-to-couch.

Final Word

So enjoy the meal, watch the carbohydrates and limit your alcohol intake for a safe Thanksgiving. If you get caught up in the festivities, remember you can always sleep it off on the couch. I am starting to yawn, just writing and thinking about it! I need a nap, where’s my blanket? Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Sincerely,
FOAMITE INDUSTRIES INC.

R.C. (Bob) Dimas

Be the best that you can be by doing whatever is necessary to improve the quality of your sleep!