Tag: Ems

The link between contaminated L-tryptophan supplements and a serious health condition known as eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome (EMS) in the late 1980s shows that you can take too much tryptophan from supplements. While modern manufacturing standards have improved, understanding the risks associated with excessive intake is vital for safety, particularly when using supplements.

In 1989, over 1,500 people fell ill and 37 died from a rare condition called eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome (EMS), which was definitively linked to a contaminated batch of L-tryptophan supplements. These tragic events raise the important question: **Can tryptophan be harmful**? The answer depends heavily on the source and dosage.

While L-tryptophan is an essential amino acid crucial for the body's production of serotonin, consuming too much tryptophan, particularly from supplements, can lead to a range of mild to severe and potentially life-threatening side effects. Unlike dietary sources, supplements allow for significantly higher intake, bypassing the natural regulatory processes of the body.