MAJOR NUTRIENT

DIET.
SUPPLEMENT
PhytoChemicals
Antioxidants

A-Z Health Foods,  
Products

Acetyl-L Carnitine
Acidophilus
Alfalfa
Almond
Aloe vera
Andrographis
Aniseed
Apple
Arnica
Ashwagandha
Asian Pears
Asparagus
Astaxanthin,
Astragulus
Artichoke
Avena sativa
Avocados
Barley
Banana
Basil
Beet
black cohosh
Bladderwrack
Blackberry
Black Currant
Bloodroot
Blueberry
Bilberry
Bitter Melon
Borage Seed Oil
Boswellia
Black Soya Bean
Broccoli
Bromelain
Brown Seaweed
Brussels Sprout
Butein
Butterbur
Burdock
Cabbage
Cactus
Caffeine
Calcium
Calendula
Canola oil
Cauliflower
Cat's Claw
Cayenne
Celadrin
Celery
Chamomile
Chaparral
Cherry
Chokeberry
Chondroitin
Chitosan
Chlorella
Chlorophyll
Chromium
Cinnamon
CLA
Cocoa
Cod Liver Oil
Coenzyme Q
Coffee
Comfrey
Conj. Linoleic Acid
Colostrum
Colloidal Silver
Cordyceps
Corn
Cranberry
Creatine
Curcumin
Damiana
Dandelion
Danggui_Buxue
Devil's Claw
DHEA
Dill
Dong Quai
EGCG
Echinacea
Eleuthero
Ellagic Acid
Eucalyptus G.
Eve. Primrose Oil
Falcarinol
Fennel
Fenugreek
Feverfew
Folate
Fish Oil
Flaxseed Meal
Flaxseed /Linseed
Garcinia C.
Garlic
Galangal
Ghrelin
Ginger
Ginseng
Ginseng/Ginkgo
Ginkgo Biloba
Glucosamine
Goldenseal
Gotu Kola
GRAPE SEED
EXTRACT
Green Coffee Bean
Green Tea
Growth Hormone
Stimulants
Goldenseal
Guar Gum
Guggul
Gymnema
Hawthorn
Hoodia
Hop
Horse Chestnut
Horsetail
Huperzine A
Hyaluronic acid
Isothiocyanates
Kava Kava
Kelp
L-arginine
Lavender
Lecithin
Lemon balm
Licorice
Lingonberry
Lutein
Lycopene
Maca
Maitake
Mango
Mangosteen
Marshmallow
Melatonin
Milk Thistle
Mistletoe
N-Acetylcysteine
Nattokinase
Nectarines
Octacosanol
Olive Oil
Omegic Fatty
Acids
Onion
Orange
Oregon Grape
Pantethine
Papaya
Passion Flower
PEANUT
Peach
Peony
Pepper
Peppermint
Persimmons
Phellinus linteus
Phosphatidyl
serine
Phyllanthus
Potato
Plum
Pomegranate
Probiotics
Policosanol /
Polycosanol
Propolis
Pumpkin
Pycnogenol
Pyruvate
Quercetin
Quince
Radish
Red Clover
Red Yeast Rice
Reishi / Lingzhi
Resveratrol
Rhodiola
Rhubarb
Rice Bran Oil
Rosemary
Royal Jelly
Rutin
S-adenosyl-L-
methionine
Saffron
Saw Palmetto
Schisandra
Selenium
Spinach
Spirulina
Squash
Stinging Nettle
St John Wort
Strawberry
Sweet Potatoes
Taxifolin
Tea Tree Oil
Turmeric [Curry]
Tyrosine
Shark Cartilage
Soy
Stevia
Valerian
Vitamin D
Vitex
Walnuts
Watermelon
Wheat Grass
Whey
Wild Yam
Witch Hazel
Wormwood
Xylitol
Yarrow
Yohimbe
Yucca
5-Hydroxytrpto
phan

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5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)  Side
Effects and Benefits

Intestinal absorption of 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)
does not require a transporter, and is not affected by
the presence of other amino acids. Thus,
5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) is well absorbed from
an oral dose, with absorption (AUC) of about 70
percent. In addition, 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) can
easily cross the blood-brain barrier and effectively
increases central nervous system (CNS) synthesis of
serotonin.

In the CNS, serotonin levels have been implicated in
the regulation of sleep, depression, anxiety,
aggression, appetite, temperature, sexual behaviour,
and pain sensation. Thus, 5-Hydroxytryptophan
(5-HTP) may help suppress appetite and promote
weight loss via stimulating the production of serotonin.

In some studies, 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) has
been shown to have benefits in variety of conditions,
including depression, fibromyalgia, binge eating
associated with obesity, chronic headaches, and
insomnia. [12-17, 19] [6-19]

Because a typical meal contains very little amount of
5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) and the conversion of
L-tryptophan to 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) is
inefficient, dieters usually obtain 5-Hydroxytryptophan
(5-HTP) from supplements.

ABOUT DEPRESSION

Several double-blind studies have shown
5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) to be effective in the
treatment of non-drug-induced depression. It has
been hypothesized that selective serotonin reuptake
inhibitors (SSRIs) are not fully effective because they
affect only serotonin reuptake. On the other hand,
5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) effectively increases
central nervous system synthesis of serotonin.
5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) actually is the
immediate precursor of serotonin. Thus, combination
of 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) should have
synergistic effects on depression treatment. [18]

5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) SIDE EFFECTS

In animal studies, high doses of 5-Hydroxytryptophan
(5-HTP) caused muscle jerks and diarrhea [1-3] and
injection of 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)  caused
kidney damage [4]. In a study, high doses of
5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) caused nausea,
headache, sleepiness, muscle pain or anxiety in
some people.

Because 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) affects the
serotonin levels, 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) should
not be taken together with antidepressants. And,
people suffered from liver disease may not be able to
regulate 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) [5]. As a rule,
people should consult a knowledgeable healthcare
professional before taking any supplement

References

1. Hagan JJ et al The role of 5-HT1D and 5-HT1A receptors in mediating 5-hydroxytryptophan induced
myoclonic jerks in guinea pigs. Eur J Pharmacol 1995;294:743?51.
2. Green AR et al. Some anticonvulsant drugs alter monoamine mediated behaviour in mice in ways similar to
electroconvulsive shock; implications for antidepressant therapy. Br J Pharmacol 1985;84:337?46.
3. Bourin M et al. 5-HTP induced diarrhea as a carcinoid syndrome model in mice? Fundam Clin Pharmacol
1996;10:450?7.
4. Hirai M et al Biochemical studies on the mechanism of difference in the renal toxicity of
5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan between Sprague Dawley and Wistar rats. J Biochem (Tokyo) 1979;86:907?13.
5. Sternberg EM et al. Development of a scleroderma-like illness during therapy with L-5-hydroxytryptophan
and carbidopa. N Engl J Med 1980;303:782?7.
6. van Praag HM et al. Monoamine precursors in the treatment of psychiatric disorders. Nutrition and the Brain,
vol. 7, eds. RJ Wurtman, JJ Wurtman. New York: Raven Press, 1986 [review].
7. Russell IJ et al. Platelet 3H-imipramine uptake receptor density and serum serotonin levels in patients with
fibromyalgia/fibrositis syndrome. J Rheumatol 1992;19:90?4.
8. Yunus MB, et al. Platelet 3H-imiprimine uptake receptor density and serum serotonin levels in patients with
fibromyalgia/fibrositis syndrome. J Rheumatol 1992;19:104?9.
9. Wolfe F, et al. Serotonin levels, pain threshold, and fibromyalgia symptoms in the general population. J
Rheumatol 1997;24:555?9.
10. Kimball RW et al. Effect of serotonin in migraine patients. Neurology 1960;10:107?11.
11. Schneider-Helmert D et al. Evaluation of L-tryptophan for treatment of insomnia: A review.
Psychopharmacology (Berlin) 1986;89(1):1?7.
12. Caruso I et al. Double-blind study of 5-hydroxytryptophan versus placebo in the treatment of primary
fibromyalgia syndrome. J Int Med Res 1990;18:201?9.
13. Byerley WF et al. 5-hydroxytryptophan: A review of its antidepressant efficacy and adverse effects . J Clin
Psychopharmacol 1987;7:127?37 [review].
14. Zmilacher K et al. L-5-hydroxytryptophan alone and in combination with a peripheral decarboxylase
inhibitor in the treatment of depression. Neuropsychobiology 1988;20:28?35.
15. Poldinger W et al. A functional-dimensional approach to depression: serotonin deficiency as a target
syndrome in a comparison of 5-hydroxytryptophan and fluvoxamine. Psychopathology 1991;24(2):53?81.
16. De Benedittis G, et al. 5-HT precursors in migraine prophylaxis: a double-blind cross-over study with
L-5-hydroxytryptophan versus placebo. Clin J Pain 1986;3:123?9.
17. Titus F et al. 5-hydroxytryptophan versus methysergide in the prophylaxis of migraine. Eur Neurol
1986;25:327?9.
18. Turner EH et al, 5-Hydroxytryptophan plus SSRIs for interferon-induced depression: synergistic
mechanisms for normalizing synaptic serotonin. Med Hypotheses. 2005;65(1):138-44.
19 Birdsall TC 5-Hydroxytryptophan: a clinically-effective serotonin precursor. Altern Med Rev. 1998
Aug;3(4):271-80.

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