The Health Diva

• Higher Nature Serotone – 5HTP 100mg
• Higher Nature Serotone – 5HTP 50mg
• Higher Natures Positive Outlook
• Natures Aid 5 Hydroxytryptophan (5 HTP)
• Solgar 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)

What is 5-hydroxytryptophan?

5-HTP is a supplement manufactured from the seeds of the African plant Griffonia simplicifolia.

5-hydroxytryptophan, also known as 5-HTP, is the precursor of the neurotransmitter serotonin an important substance for normal nerve and brain function. Serotonin appears to play significant roles in sleep, emotional moods, pain control, inflammation, intestinal peristalsis, and other body functions.

5-hydroxytryptophan has been used in the treatment of anxiety; mild to moderate depression, fibromyalgia, insomnia, and binge eating associated with obesity, attention deficit disorder, and chronic headaches.

Early studies suggest that 5-HTP may lessen alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

5-hydroxytryptophan has also been used for the treatment of post-anoxic myoclonus, also known as Lance-Adam’s syndrome, a rare complication of successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

How much is usually taken?

In a controlled trial, 5-HTP (300 mg per day) was shown to be effective in reducing many symptoms of fibromyalgia, including pain, morning stiffness, sleep disturbances, and anxiety.

For depression, 300 mg per day is often effective.

For insomnia a single 100-mg nighttime dose of 5-HTP was sufficient to improve the duration and depth of sleep in one placebo-controlled trial.

For migraine headaches amounts ranging from 400–600 mg per day have been shown to be effective at reducing the frequency and severity of attacks in most clinical trials.

For tension headaches, 100 mg of 5-HTP taken three times per day led to a significant decrease in consumption of pain-relievers, but no significant change in headache duration or intensity.

Appetite reduction and weight loss (averaging 11 pounds in 12 weeks) has occurred with amounts of 600–900 mg daily. In another clinical trial, 750 mg per day has been shown to be effective at decreasing carbohydrate and fat intake, and promoting weight loss.

Are there any side effects or interactions?

During the clinical trials, some people taking large amounts of 5-HTP experienced gastrointestinal upset (e.g. nausea) or, less often, headache, sleepiness, muscle pain, or anxiety.

There is some question to whether the side effects experienced were related to a contaminant found in certain makes of 5-HTP. The Health Diva only recommends companies with a proven track record of safety. Companies such as Solgar, Swiss Herbal Remedies, Higher Natures, Viridian, Quest, and Natures Aid all worked to the principles of GMP of GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) and to all the legal requirements of the Food industry and the Pharmaceutical industry.

5-HTP should not be taken with anti-depressants, or other serotonin-modifying agents, or substances known to cause liver damage, because in these cases 5-HTP may have excessive effects.

People with liver disease may not be able to regulate 5-HTP adequately and those suffering from autoimmune diseases such as scleroderma may be more sensitive than others, to 5-HTP. These people should not take 5-HTP without consulting a knowledgeable healthcare professional.

Avoid using 5-HTP during pregnancy and whilst breast-feeding. The safety taking 5-HTP during pregnancy and breast-feeding is not known at this time.

If you are taking any prescribed medications, always check the suitability of taking any remedy along side medications.