5-HTP benefit - Does 5 HTP work for weight
loss?
5=HTP dosage, 5-HTP for
weight loss, insomnia 5-htp studies and 5-htp review
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5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan or 5-hydroxy-l-tryptophan)
is a natural supplement that converts in the brain into serotonin.
Serotonin is an
important brain chemical involved in mood, behavior, appetite, and sleep. Serotonin is known as 5-HT, or 5-hydroxytryptamine, and is found in many
places in the body particularly the brain, gastrointestinal system, and blood cells. 5-HTP was introduced to
the over the counter market in 1994. Our understanding of 5-HTP's clinical role and its
safety is still fuzzy. We know little about the effects of chronic 5-HTP use.
Therefore, until we learn more, the idea is to take 5-HTP in the minimum effective dosage
and to avoid its prolonged use. I
tell my patients who use 5-HTP to take frequent breaks and to take the least amount that
works. During these breaks, other forms of therapy could be substituted. As of now, I am
not aware of any reports in the medical literature of anyone who has encountered life
threatening side effects from the use of 5-HTP. For more
5-HTP information.
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5-HTP Benefits
Some people who take 5-HTP notice weight loss due to decrease in appetite.
Others notice reduced anxiety,
better mood, and better sleep. The fact that some find 5-HTP leads to weight loss
is encouraging, but whether the weight loss is permanent is not clear at this
time. This nutrient could be used temporarily for appetite suppression
while other lifestyle and dietary changes are being incorporated regarding a life long
plan for keeping weight off. Not everyone notices the appetite suppressing effect
from 5-HTP or the weight loss.
5-HTP may
be temporarily helpful in conditions that normally require
prescription antidepressants, anti-anxiety agents, sleeping pills, and weight loss drugs.
5-HTP may also be helpful in some individuals with migraine headaches and fibromyalgia.
See depression for more
suggestions.
5-HTP reduces the
severity of a panic attack which may indicate that panic attacks may be due
partly to low
serotonin levels. It may also reduce
headache in some cases.
A study in rodents indicates that
5-HTP may be useful in controlling the excessive food intake sometimes
generated by stress. To lose
weight, consider several helpful supplements including
Hoodia-Extract, a green tea extract,
5-HTP, perhaps garcinia, and
Acetyl-l-Carnitine. For more information on how to
lose weight. For more
info on 5htp.
5-HTP and depression
Q. Do you think 5-HTP will help with depression. I take Luvox but don’t want to
gain weight.
A. 5-HTP has helped many people with depression but it is difficult
to predict in any one individual whether it would be effective or not for the
treatment of depression. Diet Rx has mood balancing properties and decreases
appetite. The only way to tell if supplements will help is through trial and
error. There is no blood test or other test that can be done to predict which
supplement, combination of supplements, or combination of supplements and
medications will help.
5-HTP for weight
loss
Q. What is the right 5 HTP dosage for weight loss?
A. Each person is different, but a 5 HTP dosage of 50 mg to 100 mg
a day works for most people. A more effective weight management product is Diet
Rx which has 5 HTP along with other effective nutrients and herbs.
Q. Can 5 HTP for weight loss be combined
with Alli?
A. Probably, but we have not seen studies combining 5 HTP with Alli.
Long term studies do not show Alli to have a major influence on weight loss.
5-HTP Dosage
I consider any 5-HTP dose above 50 mg a high dose. Most
5-HTP products on the market are sold in 50 and 100 mg capsules. Some people do well with 20
to 50 mg. We are not aware of 5-HTP products on the market that are less than 50 mg. Those who
do well with small doses can open a capsule and take a portion mixed with water. 5-HTP is best
absorbed on an empty stomach. Medical supervision is recommended if high doses
of 5-HTP are required to treat a particular condition.
Q. When is the best time to take 5-HTP and what is the ideal dosage? I
have mild anxiety and depression and I find 5-HTP helps me a great deal at
50 mg a few hours before bedtime, but I don't know whether taking it at
another time of day or a higher dosage would offer more benefit.
A. It is very difficult to predict in any individual person the dose of
5-HTP that will be most effective, the timing of the 5-HTP and the interaction
of 5-HTP with other supplements or medicines. The best way to find out is
through methodical trial and error trying various dosages at different
times. Also to keep in mind is that the dosage and timing need may change
after several days as the effects of the 5-HTP accumulate or the depression improves.
The use of 5-HTP for depression or anxiety is tricky. Some people may find 5-HTP helps them more when taken in the
evening whereas others prefer to take a 5-HTP supplement in the morning or
midday. If you have daytime anxiety associated with low mood, 5-HTP could
be helpful for you taken during the day.
If you are not sure how to begin using 5-HTP, open a capsule by
pulling on both sides and mix half the contents with water and take it on
an empty stomach a few hours before bed. The next day try the other half
again in the evening. Base your future dosage on this initial trial. If
you have not noticed much, increase your dosage to the full capsule of 50
mg. Some people may require another full capsule during the day. For long
term use I prefer not taking more than 100 mg a day. It's also a good idea
to take a day or two off a week, and a full week off every couple of
months. Some people have found lower amounts of 5-HTP helpful when taken
under the tongue.
5-HTP
Short term side effects
Side effects from high doses of 5-HTP (which could be 100 mg and greater) include nausea and vomiting, stomach cramps,
nightmares, and decreased sex drive. Serotonin has an inhibitory effect on sexual
behavior. Tiredness and sleepiness can occur after several days or weeks of use
which may indicate that a break should be taken from 5-HTP use. For those who
experience nightmares or other side effects such as nausea or decreased libido,
you may consider taking a lower dose.
Long term side effects of 5-HTP
Long term side effects with 5-HTP are not fully known. When hundreds of
thousands of people start taking a supplement that has not had adequate long-term testing,
there may be some individuals who have a biochemical abnormality in metabolizing that
nutrient that was previously not known. We don't known the consequences on the immune
system, skin, and other tissues of long-term 5-HTP therapy.
Regular long term use is not recommended at this
time.
At this point of our knowledge with 5-HTP, it
would be best not to use it while trying to become pregnant or during pregnancy. The
safety of 5-HTP during lactation and breast feeding is not known.
5-HTP Interactions
The use of 5-HTP in combination with SSRIs such as Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, and
others has not been formally evaluated. Anecdotal reports indicate that many people
tolerate small amount of 5-HTP, 50 mg or less, with small amounts of SSRIs when used under
the guidance of a medical professional. The effects of taking
5-HTP along with a pharmaceutical antidepressant are sometimes difficult to predict. Since
the SSRIs, like Prozac, block serotonin reuptake, and 5-HTP converts into serotonin, it is
possible that dangerously high levels of serotonin could occur, a condition called
serotonin syndrome.
It is difficult to predict the interaction of
5-HTP with lithium, MAO inhibitors, anti-anxiety agents, beta blockers, birth control
pills, and other pharmaceutical medicines.
Some physicians are using a combination of two
or more natural antidepressants such as 5-HTP, St. John's wort, SAM-e, and
others. However the interactions are not fully known and caution is advised. Any
such combination should be done under medical supervision.
Can
5-HTP and Zoloft be taken together?
A.
5-HTP or 5-hydroxy-tryptophan is a nutrient that, not long after taken as
a supplement, goes to the brain and gets converted into serotonin. The
biochemical sequence is as follows: The amino acid tryptophan converts
into 5-HTP, which in turn converts into serotonin. At night, serotonin
converts into melatonin.
To put it simply, Zoloft, along with its cousins
Prozac, Paxil, and the other SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) help
lessen depression by making more serotonin available in the brain. Even
though the mechanism of action of Zoloft is different than 5-HTP, the
end result is that there is more serotonin available in brain tissue,
resulting in better mood balance. There is a condition known as serotonin
syndrome which results from too much serotonin. Some of the symptoms
include confusion, sweating, elevated blood pressure, and rapid heart
beat. Serotonin syndrome sometimes occurs when the dosage of the Zoloft are
too high, or when they are combined with other medicines that increase
serotonin or brain chemical levels. Hence, tryptophan and 5-HTP, if taken
in very high doses along with Zoloft, could potentially lead to serotonin
syndrome. Having said this, it is possible that the combination of 5-HTP
and Prozac could be helpful in some people if the dosage of the Zoloft is
reduced (let's say by half) and the initial amount of 5-HTP is started
very conservatively at half of a 50 mg capsule and symptoms are monitored
closely. The dosage of 5-HTP can be gradually increased if needed. Here is
an example where the approach of combining a drug and nutrient
could be quite useful, as long as one proceeds cautiously, with medical
supervision, and temporarily stops the medicines at the first sign of
serotonin excess.
Timing and Dosage of 5-HTP
It's difficult to say what the best time to take 5-HTP since
it varies among individuals. It depends whether 5-HTP is being used for sleep, in that
case it is taken in the evening; for anxiety or low mood, 5-HTP can be taken any time of
day; or weight loss, in which case it is taken on an empty stomach an hour or two before a
meal.
If you do take 5-HTP during the day, it's best to take no more than 25
mg since it could cause sleepiness. 5-HTP is absorbed better taken on an empty stomach.
There is has not been enough research
done with 5-HTP to know the ideal dosages and timing. Also, there is significant
individual variability to the response to 5-HTP. Hence, each person may need to find out
for themselves the lowest dose that works well, and the ideal timing, whether early in the
day, midday or evening.
A small amount of alcohol usually does not interfere with 5-HTP, but
larger amounts may.
Emails from 5-HTP users
Q. I would like to know if 5-HTP can help me, for about seven years now
since age 21 I have been drinking on the weekends and snorting powdered cocaine
at least 2 times per month sometimes 4. There have been periods when I did not
use cocaine for at least 3 months, 2 months, 1 month. I really, really, really
want to quit however when I do not use I feel a bit bitter and unhappy and the
days after I use I feel a sense of stress, anxiety and depression which at times
can last up to the day before I use again. Will 5-htp help me balance the
chemicals in my brain which are causing these feelings so that I do not have to
use anymore?
A. It is not possible for us to predict whether 5-HTP will be
helpful to you. All we can do is provide the consumer with general information
and then it is up to you and your doctor to decide on further action.
Q. I am a nutritional therapist based in the UK. Are there possible adverse
effects of supplementing 5 htp and vitamin B6 together.
A. The potential benefit from taking vitamin B6 along with 5-HTP is that
vitamin B6
could help 5-HTP be converted into serotonin more efficiently. This is
good when it's done in the brain where we want more serotonin, but we also
want to minimize the conversion of 5-HTP to serotonin in the bloodstream.
For the time being, it may be better not to use a 5-HTP product with
vitamin B6, but
this issue is complicated.
Q. I've been taking citalopram for at least 5 years. I would
like to try taking 5-HTP instead in hopes of avoiding some of the
libido-suppressing effects of the citalopram SSRI. I've read the literature
saying it was bad to take both SSRIs and 5-HTP at once. Should I stop one and
immediately start the other? Ramp down one while I ramp up the other? Ramp down
one and then start ramping up the other? Ramp down one and start the other at
full dosage? Ramp down one and wait the two or more weeks for it to get out of
my system (emotionally distressing, based on my experience with
stopping for a while before) and then start the other?
A. There are many ways to make the switch from a SSRI medication
such as Prozac or citalopram to 5-HTP and other natural supplements for
depression. There are no definitive guidelines on how to do it since so much
depends on each person's unique response. There are a number of variables that
make a blanket statement impossible. For instance, the length of time the SSRI
has been used, the psychological and emotional condition of the patient, the
dosage of the medicines, other medicines that are used, other supplements taken,
physical activity level, sleep patterns, the dosage of the 5-HTP, the timing of
the 5-HTP, the level of depression, the general health and medical condition of
the patient, etc. But, as a rule, it is a good idea to be off the SSRI for at
least a day or two before starting the 5-HTP but again each person is different.
Q. Can you please let me know if there is an
interaction between 5-HTP and St John’s Wort. What are your
suggestions and which natural medication ( 50HTP or St John’s wort ) is better
for treating depression.
A. There can be an interaction between 5-HTP and St. John's wort, therefore it
is best to learn how each one works by itself before combining, and when
combined, half the dosage should be used. This has to be done under medical
guidance. We are not aware of any research or reports using St. John's wort and
5-HTP together, unexpected side effects can occur when potent herbs are
combined. As a rule, if depression is accompanied by agitation or anxiey, 5-HTP
may be a better choice to start, and if depression is accompanied with low
energy or motivation, St. John's wort is a good option.
Q. Is 5-HTP a vitamin?
A. 5-HTP is not a vitamin but rather a nutrient. A vitamin is
something that the body cannot make whereas the body is able to make 5-HTP from
tryptophan.
Q. Does 5-HTP help with OCD ?
A. Some people with OCD may benefit from 5-HTP but more research is
needed.
Q. Is 5-htp safe for pregnant women who can't sleep?
A. We have not seen any research regarding the use of 5-HTP during
pregnancy and hence we can't say whether 5-HTP is safe for a pregnant woman or
not.
Q. Can 5-htp and melatonin be taken together?
A. Yes, but the dose of each needs to be half of what you normally
take since their effects are additive.
Q. Q. Can 5-htp and tryptophan be taken together?
A. Yes, but, similar to the question above for melatonin and 5-HTP,
the dose of each needs to be half of what you normally take since the effects of
50HTP and tryptophan are additive.
Q. I started taking 50 mg of 5-HTP today. I am using it for
my anxiety and depression. I'm also encouraged by the supplement ability to help
me sleep and control my appetite. My question would be, do other herbs enhance
the 5-htp, or hinder its affects? For instance, I am also using Hyland's Nerve
Tonic for stress relief, and cranberry extract for my urinary tract, as well as
a multi-vitamin (11 essential vitamins: A, B6, B12, C, D, E, Folic Acid, Niacin,
etc). Likewise, I am considering taking iron tablets. Do you have any
information on the impact of taking other herbs and supplements?
Q. I have been taking 5 HTP for 2 weeks at 50 mg
daily, i am on no other meds. After 2 weeks my depression, bad thoughts
and general anxiety lifted well, i took my 5-HTP dose at mid day, was
eating better, sleeping better, energy in the daytime, i thought i was on
my way to recovery then after 16 pills i began to have muscle tremors and
faster heart beats in the night and 1 or 2 twitches in the day, Would u
say i should have a break for 2 days and reduce the dose or is this just a
normal response to serotonin being introduced and i should continue on
50mg or more? My doc has no information about 5 HTP.
Q. I wanted to let you know my story of success with taking 5-Htp. I
have been constipated for over 10 years . So badly the last 6 months that
I could no longer defecate without the use of liquid enema. After using
5-htp 50 mg per day for 3 days I began going on my own immediately! A
quick assestment of my situation shows areas of dymellanatin plaque in
brain, abnormal elevated levels in one area of spinal tap, severe bladder
inflammation, and chronic constipation. I have had nothing but horrible
side effects with prescription drugs. I was on Xanax for 5 years (which I
am sure was contributing to my problem) but fortunately through the use of
tyrosine and gaba I was able to fully get off. Next my GI prescribed
zelnorm which I was reluctant to take. I thought that if i needed to
increase serotonin to allow water in my intestines, why not 5-HtP? well it
worked and boy it works really well. My only complaint with the 5-HTP now
is that I had to lessen the levels to 20 mg per day due to side effects.
Is there a chance that my body would react to serotonin increase more due
to such a low level to begin with? The side effects include horribly dry
eyes, tiredness, anxiety. I read your article that states there is a
direct correlation between Celiac disease and low serotonin. Therefore I
have excluded Gluten from my diet for one week now. Have you heard of
Celiac disease causing severe constipation and bladder problems? What do
you suggest for bladder inflammation? Is there a chance that once
constipation is cleared up that bladder could become better?
Q. Research staff, I was on 5-Htp for 8 months 100mg a day for chronic
tension headaches. While I was taking the 5-Htp I was also on a tricyclic
medication for a few weeks Dr. approved. I have been of the med and the
5-Htp for over a year and I still don't have my libido back. Also I have
had chronic muscle twitches all over my body, which started when i was on
5-htp. Is this due to excess serotonin lowering dopamine levels? I really
have no attractions to people anymore. Would passion rx be helpful? Also
do any of your products have the fava bean in it? I understand the fava
Q. I have been taking 5-HTP and it works GREAT, except I’m having some
reactions to it. After a few day I begin to itch really bad and my body
gets really hot. I would really like to take the supplement because it
works so well for me. Mentally it has helped tremendously and my mental
sharpness is back. I take 5-htp 50 mg a day.
Q. I have purchased a bottle of Physician's Formula 5 HTP. I started
taking it on Mon. Oct. 1, 2007. I have two friends who have had very
positive results from taking 5 HTP. I have been taking one tablet on empty
stomach before bedtime - 11 PM or so. However, I have had two sleepless
nights, but feel my mood and depression has lifted. I feel more focused
and friends have told me they see and hear a difference, despite the
sleepless nights. I am seeing a psychiatrist who prescribed Ambien CR and
Prozac 10mg. cut in half. I showed the psychiatrist the bottle of 5 HTP
and he looked at it and then handed it back to me - I felt he just
dismissed it. I stopped taking the Ambien and Prozac - I felt side effects
from both of these meds and do not like putting chemicals into my body. I
am very sensitive to medications in the first place. I have searched other
web sites to read as much as possible about 5 HTP. I feel comfortable
taking it, but would like to know if I could / should take two capsules -
maybe one in the AM and then the other at bedtime. I certainly will also
speak with the psychiatrist who I will see on Tues. regarding this. I just
will not take the Ambien and Prozac. I am also in talk therapy and that
works very well for me (father died in June and I was devastated).
Q. I took 100 mg of 5-HTP, sometimes 200 mg a day for over the summer for
my fibromyalgia, as I read that it would help alleviate my pain. I quit in
November 2007 when I felt, along with all the turkey I was eating, that
perhaps I was overdoing it. In December I developed what I would call
"Brain Zaps"---strange and frightening zapping in my head. I looked up
"brain zaps" on the internet and found it is often a side effect after
stopping prescription anti-depressants.
Q. I found your site searching for SSRI alternatives. My research shows
that 5-HTP is not recommended as an SSRI alternative. L-Tryptophan is the
recommended supplement. 5-HTP can cause serotonin syndrome. The brain does
not have a system for regulating 5-HTP. L-Tryptophan, on the other hand,
is regulated by the body so that it only converts to the needed amount to
5-HTP, it does not cause an excess of 5-HTP. Unless the person has a
defective Tryptophan regulating mechanism and needs to supplement with
5-HTP directly, the L-Tryptophan is the proper choice. The same is true of
St John's Wort. L-Tryptophan is a more stable way of supplementing a
serotonin deficiency. I can not cite the research because I did not save
the information. back to
yohimbe bark
A. Sometimes herbs and supplements that have a stimulating nature
may mask the effects of 5-HTP, but much depends on the person using these herbs
and supplements, and the dosages, and how all of these interact within the
person. It is often best, for instance in the case of a 5-HTP supplement, to
initially take it by itself in order to see the benefit and side effects without
interference.
A. We can't give any personal advice, but as a general rule we
suggest people take breaks from most supplements since their effects can
accumulate over time. Taking breaks minimizes side effects. A very
important concept to keep in mind with certain nutrients and herbs is that
they can accumulate in the body or their effects may be additive. For
instance, if you take a certain supplement such as 5-HTP at 50 mg, some of it (or its
effect on the body and brain) may still be around the next day. So,
if you take another 50 mg of 5-HTP the next day, you are now getting dosed a higher
amount the second day, and even more on the third day. Sooner or later
side effects are likely to occur. Just as with medications, supplement
dosages need to be constantly adjusted. It is possible to take advantage
of the benefits 5-HTP and SAM-e while minimizing side effects
if you do it carefully.
5-HTP danger 5-HTP 5-HTP review
A. Each person is different in the dose of 5-HTP that works for
them, and the dose needs to be adjusted over time since less may be
needed. It is also a good idea to take a look at the page on
constipation.
Celiac disease can cause a wide variety of symptoms. There is a chance
that improvement of constipation could improve bladder function, but there
are many other reasons for bladder problems than constipation.
bean contains L-dopa, the precursor to dopamine.
A. It is possible that Passion Rx could reverse in some people the
5-HTP induced lack of libido. Mucuna pruriens is probably what you are
referring to in regards to dopamine enhancement. Please discuss with your
doctor whether these are appropriate for you and keep us updated.
A. We have not heard of itching to be a 5-htp side effect, but it
is possible in rare cases, or it could be a component within the capsule,
or it could be coincidence.
Q. Can Xanax and 5-HTP
be taken together?
A. Reactions to drug and nutrient combinations are not easily predictable
since each person responds differently. The dosage and timing have an
influence, intake with or without food can also make a difference, along
with other supplements and drugs used at the same time. As a general rule
we prefer not to mix psychiatric drugs with supplements that have an
influence on neurotransmitter levels.
A. The effects of 5-HTP can build in the system therefore the least
amount that works should be used. Some people prefer taking 5-HTP before
dinner, and this way it does not interfere with sleep. Another option is
to take half the dosage in the evening, or perhaps the full 50 mg in the
afternoon. The best way is to try taking the 5-HTP at different times of
the day to see which works better, or split the dose into two (the
capsules can be easily opened by pulling on each side and the contents
mixed in water or juice) and these can be taken at two different times of
the day. Let us know which method works best for you.
Could stopping 5-HTP cause these sensations in my head? It is now February
and I still have these abnormal sensory perceptions in my head. I started
re-taking 50mg of 5-HTP again in the hopes of getting them to subside. I'm
beside myself, what can I do?
A. Brain zaps, also called "brain shocks" or "head shocks" are a
common withdrawal symptom experienced during discontinuation (or reduction
of dose) of long term SSRI antidepressant drug use. We have not come
across any studies regarding the treatment of brain zaps with medications
or natural supplements. Perhaps a few fish oil capsules a day can be tried
but we have no proof that they would work. One could also try various
natural brain herbs or formulas (one at a time) to see if any of them are
helpful. These include Mind Power Rx, ashwagandha, bacopa, SAM-e, St.
John's wort, etc.
A. There are a number of opinions on the internet regarding the
benefits of 5-HTP versus tryptophan. Some people prefer using 5-HTP,
others prefer using tryptophan, and still others find more benefit from
St. John's wort. It's a matter of personal preference.