Your body makes 5-hydroxytryptophan, or 5-HTP, from tryptophan, an essential amino acid you must consume through your diet. After this conversion, 5-HTP is then transformed into serotonin, which transmits nerve signals through the brain to help regulate mood and behavior. The chemical 5-HTP is available as a supplement made from seeds from the Griffonia simplicifolia plant.
Functions
Because of its role in creating serotonin, supplemental 5-HTP can improve mood, reduce anxiety, increase appetite, decrease pain and allow you to sleep. The University of Maryland Medical Center states that a study published by Cauffield and Forbes in the 1999 issue of "Lippincott's Primary Care Practice" concluded that 5-HTP supplements were just as effective in treating depression as a class of drugs called serotonin reuptake inhibitors. The 5-HTP supplements also caused fewer side effects than some of the depression medications.
In 1990, Caruso and colleagues reported in "The Journal of International Medical Research" that 5-HTP supplementation may improve the pain, anxiety and fatigue associated with the chronic disease fibromyalgia.
The amino acid may also help treat insomnia, migraines and hot flashes, according to a report by Curcio and colleagues in the 2005 "Alternative Medicine Review" and a report by Ribeiro in the 2000 issue of "Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain."
Considerations
While the results of scientific studies have shown promising results for the use of 5-HTP in the treatment of various conditions, the studies were small and limited. The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that more and larger studies are needed to make conclusive statements about the benefits of 5-HTP supplementation. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not regulate the
production and effects of dietary supplements.
Dosage
Doctors recommend taking 50 mg of 5-HTP as a supplement one to three times per day. High doses may be toxic, so follow your doctor's recommendations closely and avoid taking 5-HTP supplements without supervision from your health care provider.
Although you cannot obtain 5-HTP from foods directly, its precursor, tryptophan, is found in turkey, chicken, milk, pumpkin, sunflower seeds, potatoes and collard greens.
Precautions and Side Effects
Supplementation with 5-HTP can increase your sensitivity to sunlight. When taking 5-HTP, limit your exposure to natural sunlight and avoid tanning beds.
Although most people tolerate 5-HTP well, some may experience gastrointestinal upset, such as nausea, vomiting, heartburn, gas, loss of appetite and stomach pain. If you experience bruising, skin rash, tingling skin or muscle weakness, contact your doctor immediately.
References
- Drugs.com: 5-Hydroxytryptophan
- University of Maryland Medical Center: 5-Hydroxytryptophan
- "The Journal of International Medical Research"; Double-blind Study of 5-hydroxytryptophan Versus Placebo in the Treatment of Primary Fibromyalgia Syndrome; I. Caruso, et al.; May-June 1990
- "Alternative Medicine Review"; The Potential Role of 5-Hydroxytryptophan for Hot Flash Reduction: A Hypothesis; Jessica Curcio, N.D., et al.; Sept. 5, 2005
- "Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain"; l-5-Hydroxytryptophan in the Prophylaxis of Chronic Tension-type Headache: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study; Carlos A. Fontes Ribeiro M.D., Ph.D.; June 2000
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