Given a boost by celebrities in recovery from depression such as Jim Carrey, 5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan) is once again the up-and-coming nutritional supplement for the treatment of depression. 5-HTP supplies the source of the amino acid tryptophan in a form that readily enters the brain. The human brain converts tryptophan into the key mood regulator serotonin.
What's the evidence for 5-HTP? Psychiatrists ran a research trial involving 60 people with mild to moderate depression compared 5-HTP against Luvox (fluvoxamine), an antidepressant in the same drug class as Prozac.
5-HTP is essential to overall health. It is used to treat many conditions like depression, obesity, carbohydrate craving, bulimia, insomnia, narcolepsy, sleep apnea, migraine, headaches, and fibromyalgia.
Two decades of evidence suggest that 5-HTP is a relatively safe supplement. Nonetheless, there are people who should avoid it. The most frequently reported adverse effects from 5-HTP are heartburn, nausea, and various kinds of stomach upset. 5-HTP can cause bloating, flatulence, and stomach rumbles. This side effect is due to the fact that the digestive tract makes its own serotonin, which may be overabundant until your body adjusts to the supplement. About 2 in 5 people who use the supplement experience these effects during the first 2 weeks of using it.
5-HTP Treats Depression People with depression have measurable 'imbalances' in the brain's neurotransmitters. Doctors believe that low levels of serotonin cause the condition. One of the many factors that contribute to depression is the low level of serotonin in the brain.
The medical literature does not report serious adverse effects on the central nervous system from taking even high doses of 5-HTP. In theory, however, extremely large doses of 5-HTP taken at the same time as the migraine medications naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt), sumatriptan (Imitrex), or zolmitriptan (Zomig), or any prescription medications for depression could cause "serotonin syndrome."
This rare condition of excess serotonin may cause agitation, confusion, heightened physical reflexes, racing pulse, and excessive sweating leading to hypertension, coma, and death.
With the "bad" carbs, there is a quick response in the form of a calming effect, but it is short-lived; our blood sugar levels get out of alignment (which can add to depression and anxiety) and the whole cycle starts again. Therefore, white carbs and other low-quality carbs are definitely not the way to boost serotonin.
The best way to get good results when taking 5 HTP is to combine it with a diet that is rich in foods containing L-Tryptophan such as turkey, eggs, milk, yogurt, bananas, nuts, beans and cheddar and swiss cheese. Taking Vitamin B-6 and Omega-3 fish oil helps, too. By taking 5 HTP with this type of diet it is suggested that people can increase serotonin production naturally, reducing anxiety symptoms. Another benefit for some, by increasing serotonin production with the help of good carbohydrates and 5 HTP, it can also act as an appetite suppressant.
This does not mean you should stop your prescription antidepressant and put yourself on 5-HTP. Just the opposite: Almost all prescription medications for depression have to be tapered off gradually under your doctor's supervision. In the right circumnstances, however, 5-HTP might give your brain just the boost it needs to overcome depression and return to normal function.
What's the evidence for 5-HTP? Psychiatrists ran a research trial involving 60 people with mild to moderate depression compared 5-HTP against Luvox (fluvoxamine), an antidepressant in the same drug class as Prozac.
5-HTP is essential to overall health. It is used to treat many conditions like depression, obesity, carbohydrate craving, bulimia, insomnia, narcolepsy, sleep apnea, migraine, headaches, and fibromyalgia.
Two decades of evidence suggest that 5-HTP is a relatively safe supplement. Nonetheless, there are people who should avoid it. The most frequently reported adverse effects from 5-HTP are heartburn, nausea, and various kinds of stomach upset. 5-HTP can cause bloating, flatulence, and stomach rumbles. This side effect is due to the fact that the digestive tract makes its own serotonin, which may be overabundant until your body adjusts to the supplement. About 2 in 5 people who use the supplement experience these effects during the first 2 weeks of using it.
5-HTP Treats Depression People with depression have measurable 'imbalances' in the brain's neurotransmitters. Doctors believe that low levels of serotonin cause the condition. One of the many factors that contribute to depression is the low level of serotonin in the brain.
The medical literature does not report serious adverse effects on the central nervous system from taking even high doses of 5-HTP. In theory, however, extremely large doses of 5-HTP taken at the same time as the migraine medications naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt), sumatriptan (Imitrex), or zolmitriptan (Zomig), or any prescription medications for depression could cause "serotonin syndrome."
This rare condition of excess serotonin may cause agitation, confusion, heightened physical reflexes, racing pulse, and excessive sweating leading to hypertension, coma, and death.
With the "bad" carbs, there is a quick response in the form of a calming effect, but it is short-lived; our blood sugar levels get out of alignment (which can add to depression and anxiety) and the whole cycle starts again. Therefore, white carbs and other low-quality carbs are definitely not the way to boost serotonin.
The best way to get good results when taking 5 HTP is to combine it with a diet that is rich in foods containing L-Tryptophan such as turkey, eggs, milk, yogurt, bananas, nuts, beans and cheddar and swiss cheese. Taking Vitamin B-6 and Omega-3 fish oil helps, too. By taking 5 HTP with this type of diet it is suggested that people can increase serotonin production naturally, reducing anxiety symptoms. Another benefit for some, by increasing serotonin production with the help of good carbohydrates and 5 HTP, it can also act as an appetite suppressant.
This does not mean you should stop your prescription antidepressant and put yourself on 5-HTP. Just the opposite: Almost all prescription medications for depression have to be tapered off gradually under your doctor's supervision. In the right circumnstances, however, 5-HTP might give your brain just the boost it needs to overcome depression and return to normal function.
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