5-HTP Hydroxytryptophan

5-HTP is a metabolite of the amino acid tryptophan. It is the direct precursor of the neurotransmitter serotonin.

Serotonin is an inhibitory neurotransmitter, the one associated with calm. It soothes and comforts us from worry and stress. Stress causes the heightened release of serotonin, and if the stress lasts too long, it leads to serotonin depletion. Research strongly implies that boosted brain serotonin serves as a "stress immunizer.”

When it comes to the ups and downs of mood disorders, serotonin seems to play the role of regulator. Low serotonin levels are associated with irritability, aggression, impatience, and anxiety. Evidence suggests that serotonin inhibits aggressive behaviour in experimental animals and humans. A lack of good parental care, e.g., abusive parenting while growing up, can permanently damage the serotonin system.

Abundant laboratory research suggests there is a deficiency of serotonin or serotonin activity in the brains of most depressed persons. Suicidal patients show a significant decrease in serotonin levels.

5-HTP differs from tryptophan in that it slightly increases the activity of an energizing neurotransmitter, nor epinephrine, as well as the calming one, serotonin. In some clinical trials, 5-HTP outperformed tryptophan in treating mood disorders. The greater the agitation associated with depression, the more likely the response to 5-HTP.

The suggested dosage range of 5-HTP is 50-1200 mg. per day; its usual range is 100-600 mg. However, some depressed persons find relief from a daily dose as small as 25 mg. which involves splitting the purchased capsules or tablets.

For some people, 5-HTP has an extremely narrow therapeutic window. The proper dosage may lie within a range as small as 10-25 mg. per day. Side effects of too high a dose may include hypomania, dermatitis, and increased aggressiveness.

A conservative starting dose for 5-HTP is 25 mg. a day. Many people notice a favorable mood effect within one or two days of beginning supplementation. Gradually boosting the dose by 25 mg. every four days increases the chances of finding a person's therapeutic window.

As with tryptophan, it is important to take 5-HTP away from any protein food. One product manufacturer suggests taking it 20 minutes before or three hours after a protein meal.

Side Effects

Occasional side effects reported with the use of 5-HTP include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. If any of these problems occur, they can usually be minimized by backing off to a lower dose, and then gradually increasing the dosage. Taking the supplement with meals may also help.

Beta-endorphin

Administration of 5-HTP to patients with either migraines or tension headaches resulted in higher levels of plasma and mononuclear cell beta-endorphin, which may provide an explanation for 5-HTP’s analgesic effects in patients with headaches.

Melatonin Synthesis

5-HTP is also the precursor for melatonin, which is synthesized from serotonin.

Neurotransmitter

5-HTP is the immediate precursor for serotonin, which is a neurotransmitter that regulates moods and emotions.

Anxiety

A group of patients diagnosed with anxiety syndromes were treated with 5-HTP in conjunction with carbodopa. A significant reduction in anxiety was observed on three different anxiety scales.

Depression

One type of depression is characterized by a deficiency of serotonin.In these individuals, 5-HTP decreased the incidence of depressive episodes. Compared to SSRIs, 5-HTP was found to be as effective as fluvoxamine, yet 5-HTP produced significantly fewer and less severe side effects. Several studies have reported 5-HTP to be as effective as tricyclic antidepressants.

Fibromyalgia

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, fibromyalgia patients treated with 5-HTP registered significant improvements in all of the clinical parameters that were studied. improvements in the number of tender points, anxiety, pain intensity, quality of sleep, and fatigue.

Headache

The authors of one double-blind study called 5-HTP moderately effective and remarkably safe, with 48 percent of patients experiencing greater than 50 percent reduction in frequency and severity of headaches. In a study with children who experienced recurrent headaches those treated with 5-HTP experienced a 70% reduction in the frequency of headaches compared to a 11% reduction in the placebo control group. In another study lasting for 8 weeks, there was no statistical difference in frequency or severity of headaches between individuals in the 5HTP and the placebo group. However, in the 2 weeks following treatment, the patients who had been treated with 5-HTP had a significant reduction in the use of analgesics and a corresponding reduction in the number of days with headaches.

Migraines

71 percent of patients treated with 5-HTP experienced significant improvement. 5-HTP was more effective at reducing the intensity and duration rather than the frequency of the attacks with only minor side effects. The authors state that 5-HTP could be a treatment of choice in the prophylaxis of migraine. Results from a long-term prospective study suggests that 5-HTP produces beneficial changes in the underlying central nervous system (CNS) abnormalities that are associated with migraine headaches.

Obesity

In a double-blind study, obese patients receiving 5-HTP experienced early satiety, reduced carbohydrate intake, and significant weight loss. The authors state that 5-HTP may be safely used to treat obesity.

Sleep Disorders

5-HTP stimulates the production of melatonin. In one study, patients suffering from mild insomnia experienced significant improvement taking 100mg of 5-HTP before bedtime.

Symptoms and Causes of Deficency

Since humans can synthesize 5-HTP, there is no deficiency condition directly associated with it. Diets low in tryptophan will result in reduced production of serotonin and melatonin, which can cause depression and sleep disturbances.

Dietary Sources

5-HTP does not occur in foods. However, foods containing high levels of tryptophan will promote the synthesis of 5-HTP. High tryptophan-containing foods include meats (beef, pork, lamb, and wild game), poultry (chicken and turkey), seafood (tuna, salmon, halibut, and shrimp), cottage cheese, Swiss cheese, peanuts, cashews, and avocado

More info: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez