nicotinamide + tryptophan

Nicotinamide + tryptophan is a combination of two nutrients—nicotinamide (a form of vitamin B3) and the essential amino acid tryptophan—used primarily as a dietary supplement. This combination has been studied for its potential antidepressant effects, particularly in patients with unipolar depression. Nicotinamide is included to inhibit the peripheral breakdown of tryptophan by reducing liver tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase activity, thereby increasing plasma levels of tryptophan and enhancing its availability for serotonin synthesis in the brain. Clinical studies suggest that this combination may be as effective as imipramine (a tricyclic antidepressant) when dosed appropriately, with efficacy linked to increased plasma tryptophan concentrations[1][2][3]. The supplement has also been evaluated alongside vitamin B6 for mood improvement in healthy subjects[3].

Other names

tryptophan-nicotinamide