NOW Foods L-Tryptophan 500mg 120 Veg Capsules

What it is

NOW Foods L-Tryptophan 500 mg is a dietary supplement supplying free-form L-tryptophan in a bottle of 120 vegetarian capsules. The panel is about as short as a supplement panel gets: one active ingredient, no vitamin blend, no botanical extract and no proprietary blend. A serving is two capsules, which together provide 1 gram (1,000 mg) of L-tryptophan, and the bottle holds 60 of those servings. On the bottle the product sits under a banner reading "Amino Acids", which is also how we group it in our amino acid supplements range.

The front of the bottle carries a Non-GMO mark, a kosher symbol and the line "Vegetarian/Vegan". NOW Foods has printed "Family owned since 1968." on the panel, and the bottle states that the product is made and quality tested in the USA with globally sourced ingredients.

What's inside

There is exactly one active ingredient in this formula, which makes the label unusually easy to read.

• L-Tryptophan (Free-Form) — 1 g (1,000 mg) per 2-capsule serving. L-tryptophan is one of the essential amino acids. The bottle puts it plainly: it "is not synthesized by the body and must be obtained from the diet", which is what "essential" means in nutrition labeling. In everyday eating people encounter it as part of dietary protein, in foods such as poultry, eggs, dairy and pumpkin seeds. "Free-form" is the label's own wording and describes the amino acid presented on its own rather than bound into a longer protein chain. The Supplement Facts panel marks this ingredient with a double asterisk and states "Daily Value not established", the standard notation for a nutrient with no official Daily Value set for it.

The remaining ingredients are the capsule and the manufacturing aids, transcribed from the panel exactly as printed:

• Hypromellose (cellulose capsule) — the capsule shell itself, a cellulose capsule rather than a gelatin one.
• Rice Flour — a common plant-based bulking agent used to fill out a capsule to a consistent volume.
• Ascorbyl Palmitate — a fat-soluble form of ascorbic acid used in small amounts as a processing aid.
• Stearic Acid (vegetable source) — a flow agent that keeps powder moving evenly through encapsulation equipment. The label specifies the vegetable source.

Nothing else appears on the panel. For general background on how dietary supplements are labeled and regulated, the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements consumer overview and the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database are useful starting points. Neither is connected to this product or to this store.

Supplement Facts

How to use it

The bottle's Suggested Usage reads: "Take 1-2 capsules 2 to 3 times daily on an empty stomach, with final dose at bedtime, or as directed by your physician." That is the manufacturer's wording in full, and the closing phrase "or as directed by your physician" is part of it rather than our addition.

Note that the panel's serving and the usage line are two different things: the panel defines a serving as two capsules delivering 1 gram, while the usage line gives a daily pattern. How much of the bottle a given routine uses therefore depends on where in that printed range you and your healthcare professional settle. For storage, the label says to store in a cool, dry place after opening, and it notes that natural color variation may occur in this product.

Who it's for

This is a single-ingredient amino acid supplement for adults, and the label restricts it plainly: "For adults only." It suits someone who wants one amino acid at a defined amount rather than a multi-ingredient formula, and a 120-capsule bottle suits someone already settled on the product rather than trying it for the first time. The front of the bottle prints "Vegetarian/Vegan" and carries a kosher symbol, so the dietary marks are the manufacturer's own rather than our reading of the ingredient list.

It is not suitable for children, and the label directs several groups to speak to a physician first — see the section below. If you are comparing formats or sizes, the wider supplements range sits alongside this one.

Good to know

The printed Caution on the bottle reads: "For adults only. Consult physician if pregnant/nursing, taking medication (especially antidepressants such as SSRIs and MAOIs), or have a medical condition. May cause drowsiness. Do not use with alcoholic beverages or while operating heavy machinery. Keep out of reach of children."

The drowsiness note and the machinery note are the manufacturer's own and are worth reading before you plan around this product. The allergen statement is printed as: "Not manufactured with wheat, gluten, soy, milk, egg, fish, shellfish, tree nut or sesame ingredients. Produced in a GMP facility that processes other ingredients containing these allergens." That second sentence matters as much as the first if you are highly sensitive — shared-facility wording is not the same as an allergen-free statement.

The bottle gives the maker as NOW FOODS, 395 S. Glen Ellyn Rd., Bloomingdale, IL 60108, USA. General guidance on using supplements alongside medication is published by NCCIH and in the FDA's questions and answers on dietary supplements. Neither body endorses this or any other product.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many capsules are in the bottle, and how many servings is that?

The bottle holds 120 vegetarian capsules, which is 60 servings. The Supplement Facts panel sets a serving at 2 veg capsules, and two capsules together supply 1 g (1,000 mg) of free-form L-tryptophan.

Is this suitable for vegetarians and vegans?

The front of the bottle prints "Vegetarian/Vegan", so that designation comes from the manufacturer. Reading across the panel, the capsule is listed as hypromellose rather than gelatin, and the stearic acid is specified as vegetable source. A kosher symbol and a Non-GMO mark are also printed on the front.

Does it contain any common allergens?

The label states it is "not manufactured with wheat, gluten, soy, milk, egg, fish, shellfish, tree nut or sesame ingredients." It also states that it is produced in a GMP facility that processes other ingredients containing these allergens, so anyone with a severe allergy should weigh that shared-facility wording and speak to their own healthcare professional.

When does the label say to take it?

The Suggested Usage is 1-2 capsules, 2 to 3 times daily, on an empty stomach, with the final dose at bedtime, or as directed by your physician. The bottle also carries a caution that the product may cause drowsiness and should not be used with alcoholic beverages or while operating heavy machinery.

How is this order packaged for delivery?

Your order ships in plain, unbranded outer packaging. It will not show the Gear Isle name. Inside, the product arrives in the manufacturer's own bottle as pictured.

Product information compiled and reviewed by the Gear Isle product team. We transcribe supplement facts directly from manufacturer packaging. Found an error? Tell us.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Dietary supplement for adults 18 and over. Consult a licensed healthcare professional before use, especially if you have a medical condition, heart concerns, or take prescription medication (including nitrates). Keep out of reach of children.