Tag: Kynurenine

Approximately 95% of dietary tryptophan is catabolized through the kynurenine pathway, with a small but crucial fraction converted into serotonin and melatonin. This essential amino acid plays a multifaceted role in human health, acting as a precursor for vital neurotransmitters and influencing inflammation, metabolism, and immunity.

Over 90% of dietary tryptophan is typically metabolized through the kynurenine pathway, rather than the more well-known serotonin pathway. The 'activation' of tryptophan metabolism is not a single event but a complex process influenced by a dynamic interplay of enzymes, dietary factors, stress, and the gut microbiome. This balance dictates how this essential amino acid is utilized by the body.