NOW Foods L-Tryptophan 500mg 60 Veg Capsules

What it is

NOW Foods L-Tryptophan 500 mg is a dietary supplement supplying free-form L-tryptophan in a bottle of 60 vegetarian capsules. Each capsule carries 500 mg of the amino acid, and the Supplement Facts panel declares a serving of two capsules supplying 1 g (1,000 mg). The bottle front is marked Non-GMO and Vegetarian/Vegan, the side banner reads "Amino Acids", and the panel records NOW Foods of Bloomingdale, Illinois as the manufacturer. It sits in our Amino Acids range alongside the rest of our Supplements.

What's inside

The only active ingredient is L-tryptophan, supplied in free-form. L-tryptophan is one of the nine essential amino acids, which is a precise nutritional term rather than a marketing one: the human body has no pathway to build it, so the entire supply has to arrive through the diet. In ordinary eating it comes bound up inside the protein of foods such as eggs, dairy, poultry, oats, soybeans and pumpkin seeds, where digestion has to break the protein chain apart to release it.

"Free-form" describes how the amino acid is presented here. Rather than being locked into a protein chain, each molecule is already separate and unbound, which is simply a different starting point for digestion than a protein-rich meal. It is the same form used across NOW's amino acid line, and it is why the panel can declare an exact milligram figure for the amino acid itself.

Four other ingredients are declared on the panel, and all four are there to build and stabilize the capsule rather than to add nutritional value:

• Hypromellose — the capsule shell itself, a plant-derived cellulose material, declared on the panel as "cellulose capsule".
• Rice flour — a bulking agent, used to fill out the capsule so the powder sits at a consistent volume.
• Ascorbyl palmitate — a fat-soluble form of ascorbic acid, used in supplement manufacturing as an antioxidant processing aid.
• Stearic acid — a fatty acid, noted on the panel as being from a vegetable source, used as a flow agent during encapsulation.

The panel also prints a note that natural color variation may occur in this product, which is normal for a capsule filled with a bulk amino acid powder. For background on how supplement labels are structured and what the asterisk convention on a front panel signifies, the FDA's own page on structure/function claims explains the labeling rule, and the NIH's Dietary Supplement Label Database holds filed label records for products of this kind.

Supplement Facts

How to use it

The label's Suggested Usage reads: take 1–2 capsules 2 to 3 times daily on an empty stomach, with the final dose at bedtime, or as directed by your physician. Note that the declared serving on the Supplement Facts panel is two capsules, so a two-capsule serving is what the 1 g figure refers to. Storage instructions are printed on the panel as well: store in a cool, dry place after opening.

At the lowest rate the label prints — one capsule twice a day — a 60-capsule bottle works out as a 30-day supply. Used at the top of the printed range it is finished appreciably sooner, so it is worth reading the usage line against how you actually intend to take it before ordering.

Who it's for

This is a single-ingredient amino acid supplement for adults aged 18 and over who are specifically looking for L-tryptophan rather than a blend. Because there is one active ingredient and no proprietary blend, what the bottle holds is easy to check against the panel — a point that matters to people who track their intake precisely, or who already take other supplements and want to know exactly what they are adding. The capsule shell is plant-derived hypromellose, and the front of the bottle is marked Vegetarian/Vegan, so it suits people avoiding gelatin capsules. Browse the wider Health & Wellness range for other single-ingredient options.

It is not suitable for everyone. The label carries a specific caution about medication, reproduced in full below, and anyone in those groups should speak to a clinician before starting.

Good to know

The caution printed 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 allergen statement is printed in full on the panel: 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. The panel also states the product is made and quality tested in the USA with globally sourced ingredients, and the label carries a circled K mark and a Non-GMO mark. General guidance on choosing and using supplements is available from the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements in Dietary supplements: what you need to know.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many capsules are in the bottle?

There are 60 vegetarian capsules in the bottle. The Supplement Facts panel lists a serving size of 2 veg capsules and 30 servings, and the front of the bottle is printed "60 Veg Capsules".

Is the 500 mg figure per capsule or per serving?

500 mg is the amount per capsule, and it is the figure printed on the front of the bottle. The Supplement Facts panel declares the two-capsule serving, which supplies 1 g (1,000 mg) of free-form L-tryptophan.

Is this product suitable for vegans?

The front of the bottle is marked Vegetarian/Vegan. The capsule shell is hypromellose, a plant-derived cellulose material, and the panel notes the stearic acid is from a vegetable source.

Does it contain any major allergens?

The panel states it is not manufactured with wheat, gluten, soy, milk, egg, fish, shellfish, tree nut or sesame ingredients. It also states the product is produced in a GMP facility that processes other ingredients containing these allergens, so anyone with a severe allergy should weigh that shared-facility note.

How is the order packaged for delivery?

Orders ship in plain, unmarked outer packaging. It will not show the Gear Isle name.

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.