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5-HTP
What Is 5-HTP?
5-HTP, or 5-hydroxytryptophan, is a natural product, extracted from the seed of the Griffonia simplicifolia plant.
5-HTP is the immediate precursor of serotonin. Low levels of serotonin are associated with sleep problems, depression, anxiety, compulsive disorders (including eating disorders), restless leg syndrome, migraines, fibromyalgia, and low pain threshold. Many people that are afflicted with one of these conditions often have others, which has led some researchers to label them collectively as "Low Serotonin Syndrome".
Studies have shown that 5-HTP can be helpful for those who:
5-HTP & the Basic Structure of Tryptophan Metabolism The diagram below illustrates the relationship of 5-HTP to other important brain chemicals; please look it over before proceeding.
5-HTP Improves Mood, and Alleviates Migraine and Fibromyalgia Pain
5-HTP is the immediate precursor to serotonin and it has been compared in double-blind studies of depression sufferers to many of the popular SSRI's (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) such as Prozac, Paxil, Luvox and Zoloft. It has shown comparable results to these drugs with (you guessed it) a MUCH milder side effect profile.4
The latest medical research on migraine headaches indicates that migraine sufferers experience periods of unusually high MAO activity during their headaches. MAO (monoamine oxidase) is an enzyme that breaks down serotonin. This is evidenced by the presence of serotonin metabolites (5-HIAA) in the urine of migraine sufferers during migraine attacks. Initially it was thought that these metabolites were caused by an increase in serotonin levels, but it is now understood that just the reverse is the case - that serotonin is being broken down at an abnormally rapid pace. The low serotonin levels in migraine sufferers is thought to lower their pain threshold. One of the most commonly prescribed migraine drugs (Imitrex) is a serotonin agonist, meaning that it acts in a way similar to or the same as serotonin itself. 5-HTP is not only effective in relieving migraine,5,9 but continued use tends to decrease the frequency and severity of migraine headaches*.
Fibromyalgia sufferers can understand their malaise using the migraine model, since the mechanism is the same.6 5-HTP is an effective, clinically proven way to treat symptoms of fibromyalgia.7,8 Fibromyalgia sufferers will notice that the beneficial effects of the 5-HTP will increase over time. Murray and Pizzorno, in their excellent book, Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine, suggest that fibromyalgia patients combine 5-HTP, St. John's Wort and Magnesium.4
5-HTP Improves Sleep
Melatonin (see diagram, above) is an important initiator of sleep. In numerous studies, 5-HTP has been shown to decrease the time required to get to sleep and to decrease the number of awakenings.4,10 Our "5-HTP Night Time Formula" contains added ingredients (valerian and hops) to promote sleep.
5-HTP Instructions
For sleep, take 100-300mg 30-45 minutes before bedtime.
5-HTP is a natural product, extracted from the seed of the Griffonia simplicifolia plant.
Attention dieters
Weight loss occurs when a person burns more calories than s/he ingests. Therefore, eating less, eating right, and exercising are essential to your weight loss program. Easier said than done! Additionally, it is important to focus on fat loss as opposed to just weight loss, since nobody has a reason to want to lose lean muscle tissue. The products we offer can be a valuable aid in your effort, if used responsibly. Our customers who heed this advice invariable succeed and often report to us that our products were helpful to them. Remember, it is impossible to "lose weight overnight" in a healthy manner. Permanent, healthy weight loss takes time and dedication. Good luck, we know you can do it!
Side Effects
Side effects are typically temporary nausea and stomach upset, which typically subsides within a few days to a few weeks.
Interactions
*Migraine sufferers should be aware that both analgesics and ergotamines can cause rebound headaches and that just stopping the use of these drugs can, by itself, decrease the frequency of migraine. However, stopping the use of analgesics and ergotamines presents a problem in itself, since the user will probably have to suffer through a period of headaches initially; that period should not be longer than about one week. Those of you who take Zomig should NOT take it while taking 5-HTP as Zomig is a specific 5-hydroxytrypatamine agonist; this combination is most unpleasant and may be dangerous.
References
Cangiano, C. Ceci, F. Cascino, A. Del Ben, M. Laviano, A. Muscaritoli, M. Antonucci, F. Rossi Fanelli, F, Eating behavior and adherence to dietary prescriptions in obese adult subjects treated with 5-hydroxytryptophan. American-journal-of-clinical-nutrition (USA). (Nov 1992). v. 56(5) p. 863-867. 1992 0002-9165.
Cangiano C Laviano A Del Ben M Preziosa I Angelico F Cascino A Rossi Fanelli F, Effects of oral 5-hydroxy-tryptophan on energy intake and macronutrient selection in non-insulin dependent diabetic patients. Int-J-Obes-Relat-Metab-Disord. 1998 Jul; 22(7): 648-54 1998 0307-0565.
Cangiano C Ceci F Cairella M Cascino A Del Ben M Laviano A Muscaritoli M Rossi Fanelli F, Effects of 5-hydroxytryptophan on eating behavior and adherence to dietary prescriptions in obese adult subjects. Adv-Exp-Med-Biol. 1991; 294: 591-3 1991 0065-2598.
Murray, Michael, ND, Pizzorno, Joseph, ND, Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine, second ed. Prima Publishing, Rocklin. 1998.
Birdsall TC, 5-Hydroxytryptophan: a clinically-effective serotonin precursor. Altern Med Rev 1998 Aug;3(4):271-80.
Nicolodi M, Sicuteri F, Fibromyalgia and migraine, two faces of the same mechanism. Serotonin as the common clue for pathogenesis and therapy. Adv Exp Med Biol 1996;398:373-9.
Juhl JH, Fibromyalgia and the serotonin pathway. Altern Med Rev 1998 Oct;3(5):367-75.
Caruso I, Sarzi Puttini P, Cazzola M, Azzolini V, Double-blind study of 5-hydroxytryptophan versus placebo in the treatment of primary fibromyalgia syndrome. J Int Med Res 1990 May-Jun;18(3):201-9.
De Benedittis G, Massei R, Serotonin precursors in chronic primary headache. A double-blind cross-over study with L-5-hydroxytryptophan vs. placebo. J Neurosurg Sci 1985 Jul-Sep;29(3):239-48.
De Giorgis G, Miletto R, Iannuccelli M, Camuffo M, Scerni S, Headache in association with sleep disorders in children: a psychodiagnostic evaluation and controlled clinical study--L-5-HTP versus placebo. Drugs Exp Clin Res 1987;13(7):425-33.
Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trials
Alino, J. J., J. L. Gutierrez and M. L. Iglesias (1976). "5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) and a MAOI (nialamide) in the treatment of depressions. A double-blind controlled study." Int Pharmacopsychiatry 11(1): 8-15.
Cangiano, C., A. Laviano, M. Del Ben, I. Preziosa, F. Angelico, A. Cascino and F. Rossi-Fanelli (1998). "Effects of oral 5-hydroxy-tryptophan on energy intake and macronutrient selection in non-insulin dependent diabetic patients." Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord 22(7): 648-54.
Caruso, I., P. Sarzi Puttini, M. Cazzola and V. Azzolini (1990). "Double-blind study of 5-hydroxytryptophan versus placebo in the treatment of primary fibromyalgia syndrome." J Int Med Res 18(3): 201-9.
Ceci, F., C. Cangiano, M. Cairella, A. Cascino, M. Del Ben, M. Muscaritoli, L. Sibilia and F. Rossi Fanelli (1989). "The effects of oral 5-hydroxytryptophan administration on feeding behavior in obese adult female subjects." J Neural Transm 76(2): 109-17.
De Benedittis, G. and R. Massei (1985). "Serotonin precursors in chronic primary headache. A double-blind cross- over study with L-5-hydroxytryptophan vs. placebo." J Neurosurg Sci 29(3): 239-48.
De Giorgis, G., R. Miletto, M. Iannuccelli, M. Camuffo and S. Scerni (1987). "Headache in association with sleep disorders in children: a psychodiagnostic evaluation and controlled clinical study--L-5-HTP versus placebo." Drugs Exp Clin Res 13(7): 425-33.
Gijsman, H. J., J. M. van Gerven, M. L. de Kam, R. C. Schoemaker, M. S. Pieters, M. Weemaes, R. de Rijk, J. van Der Post and A. F. Cohen (2002). "Placebo-controlled comparison of three dose-regimens of 5- hydroxytryptophan challenge test in healthy volunteers." J Clin Psychopharmacol 22(2): 183-9.
Kahn, R. S., H. G. Westenberg, W. M. Verhoeven, C. C. Gispen-de Wied and W. D. Kamerbeek (1987). "Effect of a serotonin precursor and uptake inhibitor in anxiety disorders; a double-blind comparison of 5-hydroxytryptophan, clomipramine and placebo." Int Clin Psychopharmacol 2(1): 33-45.
Longo, G., I. Rudoi, M. Iannuccelli, R. Strinati and F. Panizon (1984). "[Treatment of essential headache in developmental age with L-5-HTP (cross over double-blind study versus placebo)]." Pediatr Med Chir 6(2): 241-5.
Maissen, C. P. and H. P. Ludin (1991). "[Comparison of the effect of 5-hydroxytryptophan and propranolol in the interval treatment of migraine]." Schweiz Med Wochenschr 121(43): 1585-90.
Nardini, M., R. De Stefano, M. Iannuccelli, R. Borghesi and N. Battistini (1983). "Treatment of depression with L-5-hydroxytryptophan combined with chlorimipramine, a double-blind study." Int J Clin Pharmacol Res 3(4): 239-50.
Ribeiro, C. A. (2000). "L-5-Hydroxytryptophan in the prophylaxis of chronic tension-type headache: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. For the Portuguese Head Society." Headache 40(6): 451-6.
Rousseau, J. J. (1987). "Effects of a levo-5-hydroxytryptophan-dihydroergocristine combination on depression and neuropsychic performance: a double-blind placebo- controlled clinical trial in elderly patients." Clin Ther 9(3): 267-72.
This website and these statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please consult a properly trained medical practitioner for medical advice.
