Today, we celebrate Thanksgiving, a holiday that honors a shared meal between the English colonists who settled in Plymouth, Massachusetts, and the Wampanoag people, the Native Americans who lived in the region. The fall harvest feast shared between these two groups symbolizes gratitude and community, making the first Thanksgiving in 1621 a meaningful tradition for many.
Since 1863, Thanksgiving has been a national holiday, celebrated on the last Thursday of November each year. Traditions have evolved, and many consider Thanksgiving a time to spend with family and friends, amid parades, football games, and the hunt for the best Black Friday deals!
In honor of today’s holiday, let’s talk about the centerpiece of many Thanksgiving tables, the turkey.
Turkey meat is rich in an amino acid called tryptophan. We all need tryptophan for the proteins, muscles, enzymes, and neurotransmitters in our bodies to function correctly. As an “essential amino acid,” we need to obtain tryptophan through our diet, since it's vital for maintaining our health and well-being.
Tryptophan plays a major role in the production melatonin and serotonin, hormones involved in several pathways in our bodies. Melatonin is an antioxidant, a substance that protects cells from the type of damage that can lead to cancer. Free radicals, unstable molecules produced by oxidative processes in metabolism, can accumulate in cells and tissues, damaging DNA. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals, preventing DNA damage that can cause cancer. In addition, melatonin regulates the sleep cycle; disruption of this cycle can cause many health issues. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that facilitates communication between different parts of the nervous system. Serotonin control pathways are involved in regulating mood, and research has linked low levels of serotonin to depression.
Tryptophan also helps the body produce vitamin B3, a coenzyme needed for the proper function of enzymes in the skin, nerves, and digestive tract. As a precursor to vitamin B3, tryptophan plays another essential role in metabolism.
Additionally, tryptophan is essential for the immune system! The function of many anti-cancer immune cells, including T cells, depends on tryptophan. T cells need tryptophan to grow and expand, which is crucial for the immune system to effectively fight cancer. Without enough tryptophan, T cells die faster than they can perform their immune functions. Dendritic cells, the immune cells needed to initiate an immune response, also rely on tryptophan.
Cancer cells have evolved to take advantage of the immune system’s reliance on tryptophan by upregulating an enzyme called indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), which breaks down tryptophan in the tissues surrounding a tumor.
On behalf of Labroots, I want to wish everyone a safe and Happy Thanksgiving today. Enjoy the day and enjoy the turkey!
Sources: Int J Biochem Cell Biol, Int J Tryptophan Res, Exp Molec Med