Difference between revisions of "5-HTP"
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| − | See also : [[serotonin]] | + | See also : [[serotonin]]<br> |
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5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan) is a compound produced in the body from the amino acid tryptophan. It is a precursor to the neurotransmitter serotonin and the hormone melatonin. | 5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan) is a compound produced in the body from the amino acid tryptophan. It is a precursor to the neurotransmitter serotonin and the hormone melatonin. | ||
| − | + | == Sources of 5-HTP == | |
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| − | Sources of 5-HTP | + | |
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5-HTP is manufactured from the seeds of an African plant, Griffonia simplicifolia. It is found in health food stores, online, and at some drug stores. | 5-HTP is manufactured from the seeds of an African plant, Griffonia simplicifolia. It is found in health food stores, online, and at some drug stores. | ||
| − | + | ==Special Precautions of 5-HTP== | |
| − | + | *Potential side effects of 5-HTP include nausea, dizziness, and diarrhea. Rarely, allergic reaction to the supplement may occur. | |
| − | + | *The safety of 5-HTP in pregnant or nursing women and people with liver or kidney disease has not been established. | |
| − | + | *Children with Down's syndrome should not take 5-HTP. | |
| − | + | *Peak X : In 1998, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported having detected a chemical compound known as "peak x" in some 5-HTP products. Peak x had been previously associated with the supplement tryptophan, which is made into 5-HTP in the body. | |
| − | + | *Eosinophilia-Myalgia Syndrome : Tryptophan was taken off the market when thousands of people developed a severe blood disorder called Eosinophilia - Myalgia Syndrome (EMS). The cause was later traced to a contaminant found only in batches of tryptophan manufactured by one Japanese company, Showa Denko. | |
| − | + | *Showa Denko, the source of up to 60% of all the tryptophan sold in the United States, had used an untested manufacturing process that reduced the amount of activated charcoal used to filter fermented raw tryptophan. Some reports suggest that purity may be a potential problem for 5-HTP as well. No cases of EMS resulting from 5-HTP use have been reported, however. | |
| − | + | ==The benefits of 5-HTP are== | |
| − | + | *5-HTP supplements have become popular because it is thought that providing the body with 5-HTP in pill form can boost the body's serotonin levels, similar to the antidepressants that are thought to increase the amount of serotonin available to the brain. | |
| − | 5-HTP is most commonly used for depression. Because it is thought to work like serotonin antidepressants, 5-HTP has also been used for other conditions for which these antidepressants are prescribed, such as anxiety, insomnia, fibromyalgia, and migraine. | + | *For Depression : 5-HTP is most commonly used for depression. Because it is thought to work like serotonin antidepressants, 5-HTP has also been used for other conditions for which these antidepressants are prescribed, such as anxiety, insomnia, fibromyalgia, and migraine. Several small clinical trials have found that 5-HTP is as effective as antidepressants |
| − | + | * For Anxiety | |
| − | + | * for Insomnia : Serotonin is converted into melatonin, a hormone need to regulate sleep-wake cycles. Because 5-HTP is thought to increase serotonin levels, it may increase melatonin and help normalize sleep patterns. | |
| − | + | *For Fibromyalgia : Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by fatigue, widespread pain in the muscles, ligaments and tendons, and multiple tender points.A double-blind, placebo controlled study looked at 5-HTP or placebo in 50 people with fibromyalgia. After four weeks, there was improvement in pain, stiffness, anxiety, fatigue, and sleep. Side effects were mild and transient. | |
| − | + | * For Migraine : Some research indicates that 5-HTP may prevent migraines and reduce the frequency and severity of migraines, however large randomized controlled trials are needed. | |
| − | Several small clinical trials have found that 5-HTP is as effective as antidepressants | + | * For Weight Loss : According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), there is not yet enough scientific evidence to rate the effectiveness of taking 5-HTP supplements for weight loss or obesity. However, the NIH notes that some preliminary research indicates that 5-HTP may help curb appetite, decrease caloric intake, and reduce weight in obese people. |
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| − | Fibromyalgia | + | |
| − | Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by fatigue, widespread pain in the muscles, ligaments and tendons, and multiple tender points. | + | |
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| − | A double-blind, placebo controlled study looked at 5-HTP or placebo in 50 people with fibromyalgia. After four weeks, there was improvement in pain, stiffness, anxiety, fatigue, and sleep. Side effects were mild and transient. | + | |
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[[Category:Treatments]] | [[Category:Treatments]] | ||
[[Category:herbal medicine]] | [[Category:herbal medicine]] | ||
Revision as of 01:34, 15 August 2012
See also : serotonin
5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan) is a compound produced in the body from the amino acid tryptophan. It is a precursor to the neurotransmitter serotonin and the hormone melatonin.
Sources of 5-HTP
5-HTP is manufactured from the seeds of an African plant, Griffonia simplicifolia. It is found in health food stores, online, and at some drug stores.
Special Precautions of 5-HTP
- Potential side effects of 5-HTP include nausea, dizziness, and diarrhea. Rarely, allergic reaction to the supplement may occur.
- The safety of 5-HTP in pregnant or nursing women and people with liver or kidney disease has not been established.
- Children with Down's syndrome should not take 5-HTP.
- Peak X : In 1998, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported having detected a chemical compound known as "peak x" in some 5-HTP products. Peak x had been previously associated with the supplement tryptophan, which is made into 5-HTP in the body.
- Eosinophilia-Myalgia Syndrome : Tryptophan was taken off the market when thousands of people developed a severe blood disorder called Eosinophilia - Myalgia Syndrome (EMS). The cause was later traced to a contaminant found only in batches of tryptophan manufactured by one Japanese company, Showa Denko.
- Showa Denko, the source of up to 60% of all the tryptophan sold in the United States, had used an untested manufacturing process that reduced the amount of activated charcoal used to filter fermented raw tryptophan. Some reports suggest that purity may be a potential problem for 5-HTP as well. No cases of EMS resulting from 5-HTP use have been reported, however.
The benefits of 5-HTP are
- 5-HTP supplements have become popular because it is thought that providing the body with 5-HTP in pill form can boost the body's serotonin levels, similar to the antidepressants that are thought to increase the amount of serotonin available to the brain.
- For Depression : 5-HTP is most commonly used for depression. Because it is thought to work like serotonin antidepressants, 5-HTP has also been used for other conditions for which these antidepressants are prescribed, such as anxiety, insomnia, fibromyalgia, and migraine. Several small clinical trials have found that 5-HTP is as effective as antidepressants
- For Anxiety
- for Insomnia : Serotonin is converted into melatonin, a hormone need to regulate sleep-wake cycles. Because 5-HTP is thought to increase serotonin levels, it may increase melatonin and help normalize sleep patterns.
- For Fibromyalgia : Fibromyalgia is a chronic condition characterized by fatigue, widespread pain in the muscles, ligaments and tendons, and multiple tender points.A double-blind, placebo controlled study looked at 5-HTP or placebo in 50 people with fibromyalgia. After four weeks, there was improvement in pain, stiffness, anxiety, fatigue, and sleep. Side effects were mild and transient.
- For Migraine : Some research indicates that 5-HTP may prevent migraines and reduce the frequency and severity of migraines, however large randomized controlled trials are needed.
- For Weight Loss : According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), there is not yet enough scientific evidence to rate the effectiveness of taking 5-HTP supplements for weight loss or obesity. However, the NIH notes that some preliminary research indicates that 5-HTP may help curb appetite, decrease caloric intake, and reduce weight in obese people.
