Given a boost by celebrities in recovery from depression such as Jim Carrey, 5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan) is once again the up-and-coming nutritional supplement for the treatment of depression. 5-HTP supplies the source of the amino acid tryptophan in a form that readily enters the brain. The human brain converts tryptophan into the key mood regulator serotonin.
What is 5-HTP? 5-Hydroxytryptophan also known as 5-HTP is a chemical by-product of the protein building block L-tryptophan. 5-HTP is produced using the seeds of the Griffonia simplicifolia which is known African plant. In other words, 5-HTP is an amino acid that functions in the central nervous system and brain by enhancing the making of the chemical known as serotonin.
5-HTP is essential to overall health. It is used to treat many conditions like depression, obesity, carbohydrate craving, bulimia, insomnia, narcolepsy, sleep apnea, migraine, headaches, and fibromyalgia.
Two decades of evidence suggest that 5-HTP is a relatively safe supplement. Nonetheless, there are people who should avoid it. The most frequently reported adverse effects from 5-HTP are heartburn, nausea, and various kinds of stomach upset. 5-HTP can cause bloating, flatulence, and stomach rumbles. This side effect is due to the fact that the digestive tract makes its own serotonin, which may be overabundant until your body adjusts to the supplement. About 2 in 5 people who use the supplement experience these effects during the first 2 weeks of using it.
Specifically relating to anxiety disorders, 5 HTP anxiety supplementation combined with a healthy diet is reported to provide some amount of relief of anxiety symptoms. Whether taken with prescription medication or alone, many who take it report calmer, less depressed moods and less anxiety.
5 HTP can be used in conjunction with other natural supplements as well, though it is recommended to consult with a physician before starting or combining any medication or supplements. Some do find it possible to manage their anxiety with 5 HTP.
This rare condition of excess serotonin may cause agitation, confusion, heightened physical reflexes, racing pulse, and excessive sweating leading to hypertension, coma, and death.
With the "bad" carbs, there is a quick response in the form of a calming effect, but it is short-lived; our blood sugar levels get out of alignment (which can add to depression and anxiety) and the whole cycle starts again. Therefore, white carbs and other low-quality carbs are definitely not the way to boost serotonin.
There are reports that combining 5-HTP with the Parkinson's disease drug carbidopa can cause symptoms similar to those of the skin disease scleroderma. 5-HTP probably should not be combined with conventional antidepressants.
This does not mean you should stop your prescription antidepressant and put yourself on 5-HTP. Just the opposite: Almost all prescription medications for depression have to be tapered off gradually under your doctor's supervision. In the right circumnstances, however, 5-HTP might give your brain just the boost it needs to overcome depression and return to normal function.
What is 5-HTP? 5-Hydroxytryptophan also known as 5-HTP is a chemical by-product of the protein building block L-tryptophan. 5-HTP is produced using the seeds of the Griffonia simplicifolia which is known African plant. In other words, 5-HTP is an amino acid that functions in the central nervous system and brain by enhancing the making of the chemical known as serotonin.
5-HTP is essential to overall health. It is used to treat many conditions like depression, obesity, carbohydrate craving, bulimia, insomnia, narcolepsy, sleep apnea, migraine, headaches, and fibromyalgia.
Two decades of evidence suggest that 5-HTP is a relatively safe supplement. Nonetheless, there are people who should avoid it. The most frequently reported adverse effects from 5-HTP are heartburn, nausea, and various kinds of stomach upset. 5-HTP can cause bloating, flatulence, and stomach rumbles. This side effect is due to the fact that the digestive tract makes its own serotonin, which may be overabundant until your body adjusts to the supplement. About 2 in 5 people who use the supplement experience these effects during the first 2 weeks of using it.
Specifically relating to anxiety disorders, 5 HTP anxiety supplementation combined with a healthy diet is reported to provide some amount of relief of anxiety symptoms. Whether taken with prescription medication or alone, many who take it report calmer, less depressed moods and less anxiety.
5 HTP can be used in conjunction with other natural supplements as well, though it is recommended to consult with a physician before starting or combining any medication or supplements. Some do find it possible to manage their anxiety with 5 HTP.
This rare condition of excess serotonin may cause agitation, confusion, heightened physical reflexes, racing pulse, and excessive sweating leading to hypertension, coma, and death.
With the "bad" carbs, there is a quick response in the form of a calming effect, but it is short-lived; our blood sugar levels get out of alignment (which can add to depression and anxiety) and the whole cycle starts again. Therefore, white carbs and other low-quality carbs are definitely not the way to boost serotonin.
There are reports that combining 5-HTP with the Parkinson's disease drug carbidopa can cause symptoms similar to those of the skin disease scleroderma. 5-HTP probably should not be combined with conventional antidepressants.
This does not mean you should stop your prescription antidepressant and put yourself on 5-HTP. Just the opposite: Almost all prescription medications for depression have to be tapered off gradually under your doctor's supervision. In the right circumnstances, however, 5-HTP might give your brain just the boost it needs to overcome depression and return to normal function.
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