Product Information

"Hawaii in a bottle". A direct precursor for the neurotransmitter serotonin (the "feel good" hormone). 5-HTP has profound mood-lifting effects and is as effective as the best anti-depressant drug (but without side effects). It promotes healthy sleep wake patterns and emotional stability. It assists with migraines, reduces appetite and alleviates anxiety.

Also known as: 5-Hydroxytryptophan

Description:
5-HTP is an endogenous, intermediate Amino Acid formed from Tryptophan. Exogenous 5-Hydroxytryptophan is manufactured as a supplement as a means of bypassing the first step in the production of endogenous Serotonin.

Health Benefits of Supplemental 5-HTP

Metabolism:
5-HTP possesses Antioxidant properties.
5-HTP may reduce appetite in persona afflicted with obesity.

Musculoskeletal System:
5-HTP (50 - 300 mg per day) may alleviate Fibromyalgia.

Nervous System:
5-HTP may reduce aggressiveness (without decreasing Assertiveness). 5-HTP may alleviate anxiety. 5-HTP may reduce appetite in persons afflicted with obesity 5-HTP may reduce Carbohydrate Cravings (due to 5-HTP’s role in the production of Serotonin). 5-HTP may increase assertiveness (non-aggressive assertiveness). 5-HTP may be beneficial for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)(due to its role as a precursor for the production of Serotonin, a Neurotransmitter that is commonly depleted in ADD patients). 5-HTP may alleviate various forms of depression (including endogenous depression, major depression and reactive depression). 5-HTP may be a valuable adjutant therapy for Down’s syndrome. 5-HTP may be a valuable adjutant therapy for Epilepsy. 5-HTP may prevent headaches (especially tension headaches). 5-HTP may alleviate insomnia. 5-HTP prevents and alleviates the symptoms of migraines.
5-HTP may improve mood (due to its ability to increase Serotonin levels):
5-HTP may induce feelings of happiness (described as elation). 5-HTP (50 - 200 mg per day) may be an effective treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) (according to anecdotal reports). 5-HTP may alleviate panic disorder.
5-HTP may be a useful adjuvant therapy for Parkinson’s disease.

Serotonin:
5-HTP is a direct precursor for Serotonin. It is approximately ten times more potent on a gram for gram basis for the production of Serotonin.

Unlike Tryptophan, serotonin synthesis from 5-HTP is not rate-limited by any natural feedback control for Serotonin synthesis. 5-HTP bypasses this governing mechanism. This permits 5-HTP to significantly increase Serotonin production by also increases the potential for excessive Serotonin synthesis.

5-HTP is unaffected by the Tryptophan Pyrrolase (TP) enzyme and is therefore fully available for Serotonin synthesis.
Tryptophan is a precursor for Serotonin but is two metabolic steps away from Serotonin.

Serotonin synthesis from Tryptophan is rate-limited by a natural feedback control for Serotonin synthesis. This may be useful for preventing excessive Serotonin production.

High doses of Tryptophan cause its own destruction by inducing the enzyme, Tryptophan Pyrrolase (TP) which metabolizes Tryptophan to Kynurenine.

Proteins:
5 -HTP cannot be used by the body for the production of proteins and enzymes.
Tryptophan is used by the body for purposes other than Serotonin production. It can be used for the creation of certain proteins and enzymes.

NADH:
5-HTP is NOT a precursor for the production of NADH.
Tryptophan is a precursor to NADH.

Infections:
5-HTP does not aggravate pre-existing bacterial and parasitic infections.
Sometimes supplemental Tryptophan can aggravate pre-existing bacterial and parasitic infections.

Blood-Brain Barrier:
5-HTP readily crosses the Blood-Brain Barrier.

Endogenous 5-HTP Levels.
Laboratory Reference Values.


Bioavailability:
Orally administered 5-HTP is well absorbed - approximately 70% of orally ingested 5-HTP enters the bloodstream.

Absorption of supplemental 5-HTP is maximized when it is consumed orally two to three hours after a meal (or on an empty Stomach) and at least 30 to 60 minutes prior to the following Protein-containing meal:
- The conversion of 5-HTP to Serotonin (in the Brain) can be maximized by taking supplemental 5-HTP on an empty Stomach (or more specifically, without Protein-containing foods).

The duration of action of 5-HTP is relatively short. For this reason, the therapeutic effects of supplemental.

5-HTP may be maximized if it is taken as several divided doses instead of one full dose.