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General
Description
L-5-Hydroxytryptophan, or 5-HTP, (also called
L-5-hydroxytryptophan or
levo-5-hydroxytryptophan) is a natural
compound manufactured in the body as a
metabolite of L-tryptophan, an amino acid
found in a variety of dietary proteins.
Supplemental 5-HTP is derived from the seeds
of the West African medicinal plant Griffonia
simplicifolia
Health
applications
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Fibromyalgia
- Migraine
headaches
- Weight
loss/obesity
Primary
functions
The body uses 5-HTP to produce serotonin, a
neurotransmitter involved in sleep, moods,
appetite, pain control, and other body
functions. Because 5-HTP is inactive in the
body until it is converted into serotonin, the
physiological effects of 5-HTP supplementation
depend upon its ability to increase serotonin
production.
Depression
Because alterations in serotonin metabolism
appear to be an important factor in the
development of depression, researchers have
been investigating the therapeutic potential
of 5-HTP in depressed patients. Preliminary
trials indicate that 5-HTP may help improve
symptoms in some forms of depression,1-4
with the best results obtained in patients
with anxious-agitated depressive syndromes and
patients with acute endogenous depression.4
While these small-scale studies show promise,
larger, long-term trials are needed to confirm
their results.
Fibromyalgia
Scientists have observed low serum serotonin
levels in patients with fibromyalgia, compared
to healthy controls.5,6 Studies
indicate that supplemental 5-HTP may improve
symptoms (including depression, anxiety,
insomnia, number of tender points, pain
intensity, and fatigue) in many fibromyalgia
patients,7-9 presumably by
increasing serum serotonin levels.
Migraine
headaches
Abnormal serotonin metabolism has been
implicated in the development of migraine
headaches,10,11 suggesting a
possible role for 5-HTP in migraine therapy.
Clinical trials have shown 5-HTP to be
effective in reducing the frequency12-14
and severity12-15 of migraine
attacks in some subjects. Although 5-HTP was
less effective than some other migraine
treatments,13,15 its relatively low
incidence of side effects (which were
generally mild and transient 14)
suggests it could be useful for individuals
sensitive to other migraine medications.
Insomnia
Because serotonin is believed to play a
significant role in sleep patterns, it has
been suggested that increasing serotonin
levels by supplementing serotonin precursors
such as L-tryptophan and 5-HTP may improve
sleep in some insomniacs. In the 1980s,
tryptophan supplements gained popularity as
natural sleep aids, and several studies showed
improved sleep latency (the time it takes to
fall asleep) in insomniacs given L-tryptophan.16-22
Presumably, 5-HTP would have a similar effect
because L-tryptophan must be converted into
5-HTP before it can be reduced to serotonin.
However, large-scale studies on the efficacy
of 5-HTP in treating insomnia are lacking.
Weight
loss
Investigations into the role of
neurotransmitters in regulating appetite
suggest 5-HTP may be an effective weight-loss
aid. Placebo-controlled trials showed
significant weight loss and reduction of
carbohydrate intake in obese subjects given
5-HTP.23-25 The efficacy of 5-HTP
in promoting weight loss in nonobese subjects
has not been demonstrated.
Dosage/toxicity
Doses of 5-HTP used in clinical trials have
ranged from 100-400 mg/day for migraine to 900
mg/day for weight loss, and this dosage range
appears to be safe for most people. Reported
side-effects, including gastrointestinal
upset, headache, sleepiness, and anxiety, are
usually mild. 5-HTP may produce harmful
interactions with some drugs, including many
antidepressants and appetite suppressants.
People taking antidepressants or other
prescription medications should consult a
physician before using 5-HTP.
More
Information about 5 HTP
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PRODUCT
DESCRIPTION
