Benefits of 5HTP or 5-Hydroxytryptophan

5-hydroxytryptophan or 5-HTP is a compound that is produced in the body from tryptophan which is an essential amino acid. 5HTP is then converted to an important chemical called serotonin. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter and one of its most important functions is to transport signals between neurons in the nervous system. An imbalance of serotonin may cause mood disorders.

But you must first get tryptophan from plants and animals sources because your body cannot manufacture it. Some examples of foods rich in tryptophan are beans, lentils, kelp, roasted chicken breast and lamb loin, cheese, milk, nuts, eggs, turkey, yellow fin tuna, cooked soybeans, lean beef, broiled halibut and shrimp, salmon and snapper.

If you want to rely solely on your diet to obtain tryptophan, take vitamin B6 or pyridoxine because it can influence the rate at which tryptophan is converted to serotonin. Another alternative is to take 5 HTP supplement which is the extract of seeds or beans of the West African griffonia simplicifolia shrub.

What Is 5-Hydroxytryptophan Good For?

Depression, Insomnia and Compulsive Disorders

5-hydroxytryptophan helps the body produce serotonin. The pineal gland in the brain will then synthesize serotonin and converts it to melatonin. Melatonin modulates sleeping and waking patterns or the body's circadian rhythm.

Serotonin imbalance can cause problems such as anxiety, depression, insomnia, obsessive compulsive disorder, mood disorders, over eating and tension headaches. Insomnia is also associated with low melatonin levels. Some studies suggest that melatonin has anti oxidant activities and helps strengthen the immune system. Melatonin may reduce the risk of breast cancer, irritable bowel syndrome and prostate cancer.

Taking 5-hydroxytryptophan supplements is therefore a great alternative to taking antidepressants, SSRI or sleeping pills which can cause side effects. It is also cheaper compared to taking pharmaceutical medicines.

Fibromyalgia

Researchers discovered that the level of 5-HTP is low in people with symptoms of fibromyalgia. Symptoms of fibromyalgia include morning stiffness, fatigue, fibro fog, pain severity and sleeping disorders. Getting sufficient amount of 5HTP may improve the symptoms.

Weight Loss

Some studies on overweight men and women with and without diabetes suggest that 5-HTP has the potential to reduce appetite. Taking it makes a person eat less because it creates a feeling of fullness which will then lead to weight loss.

5 HTP Side Effects and Dosage

Health care professionals would mostly likely recommend 50mg of 5-HTP daily and a maximum of 150mg depending on the reasons you are taking it and other factors such as age and health condition. Aging is a contributing factor to serotonin imbalance. Unless recommended by a doctor, higher dosage isn't recommended because it may cause toxicity.

Side effects of taking 5HTP supplement may include diarrhea, drowsiness, feeling full, heartburn, nausea and stomach upset. If you are taking any type of medication, always check with your doctor first before taking 5-HTP supplement to avoid interactions. If you are taking serotonin reuptake inhibitors, do not take 5-HTP supplement because it may result in too much serotonin and lead to serotonin syndrome.

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