Isn’t tryptophan banned by the FDA, and can it be taken safely?
Tryptophan is an essential amino acid, meaning that the body cannot produce it and must ingest it through a food source. Our bodies require tryptophan as the precursor to serotonin, a hormone that regulates sleep, mood and appetite. 15-years ago, pharmaceutical-grade tryptophan was banned by the FDA due to the contamination of a batch synthetically sourced from genetically modifying a bacterium. This process was discontinued and synthetic tryptophan has remained available by prescription in Canada. Zenbev, however, is comprised of a natural source of tryptophan derived from organic pumpkin seeds, and formulated to be easily assimilated by the body. According to Health Canada, amino acids present in a protein configuration are not considered to be drugs; and therefore would not be considered to be subject to special measures as per the DIN (Drug Identification Number) Enforcement Directive and the Therapeutic Products Compliance Guide.
