The Amino Acid Competition: How Protein Affects Brain Chemistry
Why Does Eating More Protein Sometimes Make You Feel Worse?
Large neutral amino acids compete for the same transporter to enter the brain, creating a biochemical competition where eating more protein can actually reduce the brain uptake of specific amino acids like tryptophan. This competition explains why high-protein meals don’t necessarily improve mood or cognitive function, and why the ratio of amino acids matters more than the absolute amount of any single amino acid consumed.