5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) is the intermediate
metabolite of the essential amino acid L-tryptophan (LT)
in the biosynthesis of serotonin. In the central nervous
system (CNS), serotonin levels have been implicated in
the regulation of sleep, depression, anxiety, aggression,
appetite, temperature, sexual behavior, and pain sensation.
The lifestyle and dietary practices of many people living
in this stress-filled era results in lowered levels of
serotonin within the brain. As a result, many people suffer
from depression, obesity, carbohydrate craving, bulimia,
insomnia, narcolepsy, sleep apnea, migraine headaches,
tension headaches, chronic daily headaches, premenstrual
syndrome, fibromyalgia, etc. All of these maladies are
correctable by raising brain serotonin levels. Therapeutic
use of 5-HTP bypasses the conversion of LT into 5-HTP
by the enzyme tryptophan hydroxylase, which is the rate-limiting
step in the synthesis of serotonin. 5-HTP is well absorbed
from an oral dose, with about 70 percent ending up in
the bloodstream.5,6 It easily crosses the blood-brain
barrier and effectively increases CNS synthesis of serotonin.
Other neurotransmitters and CNS chemicals, such as melatonin,
dopamine, norepinephrine, and beta-endorphin have also
been shown to increase following oral administration of
5-HTP.7-10 This ability to increase not only serotonin
levels in the brain, but also dopamine and morepinephrine,
allows 5-HTP to produce some significant and unique effects
on brain chemistry and on serotonin-related conditions
which other substances, including LT, cannot duplicate.
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Product Specification
40-99% 5-HTP Usage and Dosage
Initial dosage for 5-HTP is usually 50 mg three times
per day with meals. If the clinical response is inadequate
after two weeks, dosage may be increased to 100 mg three
times per day. For insomnia, the dosage is usually 100-300
mg before bedtime. Because some patients may before
bedtime.
Because some paients may experience mild nausea when
initiating treatment with 5-HTP, it is advisable to
begin with 50 mg doses and titrate upward.
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Warning (Contraindications)
Because of the possibility of serotonin syndrome, 5-HTP
should be used with caution in patients currently being
treated or who have recently been treated with either
an SSRI or an MAOI antidepressant.
There are no adequate, well-controlled studies on the
use of 5-HTP in pregnancy, therefore, it should not be
used while pregnant. |
