Depression, sleep disorders, anxiety, obesity weight loss health info

5-HTP is the immediate precursor to serotonin and it has been compared in double-blind studies of depression sufferers to many of the popular depression drugs or SSRI's (Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors). Such as Prozac, Paxil, Luvox and Zoloft. It has shown comparable results to these drugs with ( you guessed it) a much milder side effects profile.(4)

The latest medical research on migraine headaches indicates that migraine sufferers experience periods of unusually high MAO activity during their headaches. MOA ( monoamine oxidase) is an enzyme that breaks down serotonin. This is evidenced by the presence of serotonin metabolites ( 5-HIAA) in the urine of migraine suffers during migraine attacks. Initially it was thought that these metabolites were caused by an increase in serotonin levels, but is now understood that just the reverse is the case-that serotonin is being broken down at an abnormally rapid pace. The low serotonin levels in migraine sufferers is thought to lower the pain threshold. One of the most prescribed migraine drugs ( Imitrex) is a a serotonin agonist, meaning that it acts in a way similar to or the same as serotonin itself. 5-HTP is not only effective in relieving migraine (5.9) , but continued use tends to decrease the frequency and severity of migraine headaches *.

Fibromyalgia sufferers can understand their malaise using the migraine model, since the mechanism is the same. (6) 5-HTP is effective , clinically proven way to treat symptoms of fibromyalgia. (7,8) Fibromyalgia sufferers will notice the beneficial effects of the 5-HTP will increase over time . Murray and Pizzorno, in their excellent book, Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine, suggest the fibromyalgia patients combine 5-HTP, St. John's Wort and Magnesium.(4)

Yes. In fact, there is excellent documentation that 5-HTP is an effective antidepressant agent. 5-HTP often produces very good results in people who are unresponsive to standard antidepressant drugs. One of the more impressive studies involved 99 people described as suffering from " therapy resistant" depression. These people had not responded to any previous therapy including all available antidepressant drugs as well as electro convulsive therapy. These therapy resistant patients received 5-HTP at dosage averaging 200mg daily but ranging from 50 to 600mg per day. Complete recovery was seen in 43 of the 99 patients and significant improvement was noted in eight more. Such significant improvement in patients suffering form long-standing, unresponsive depression is quite impressive prompting the author of another study to state " 5-HTP merits a place in the front of the ranks of the antidepressants instead of being used as a last resort." I have never in 20 years used an agent which: (1) was effective so quickly; (2) restored the patients so completely to the person they had been and their partners had known; [and] (3) was so entirely without side effects" (4)

Are there any studies where 5-HTP was compared directly to antidepressant drugs?

Yes , there are several. 5-HTP is equal to or better than standard antidepressant drugs and the side effects are much less severe. The study with the most significance was one that compared to fluvoxamine, a "selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor " like Prozac, Paxil, and Zoloft. In the study, subjects received either 5-HTP(100mg) or fluvoxamine (50mg) three times daily for 6 weeks . The percentage decrease in overall depression scores was slightly better in the 5-HTP group (60.7% vs. 56.1%). More patients responded to 5-HTP than fluvoxamine and 5-HTP was quicker acting than the fluvoxamine.

The real advantage of 5-HTP in this study was the low rate of side effects. Here is how the doctor described the difference among the two groups: " Whereas the two treatment groups did not differ significantly in the number of patients sustaining adverse events, the interaction between the degree of severity and the type of medication was highly significant: fluvomine predominantley produced moderate to severe, oxitriptan [5-HTP] primarily mild forms of adverse effects."

The most common side effects with 5-HTP were nausea, heartburn, and gastrointestinal problems( flatulence, feelings of fullness, and rumbling sensation). These side effects were rated as being very mild to mild. In contrast, most of the side effects experienced in the fluxamine group were moderate to severe intensity. The above two questions were provided by Michael T. Murray, N.D., Dr Murray is widely regarded as one of the world's leading authorities on natural medicine. He has written over 20 books including 5-HTP; The Natural way to overcome depression, Obesity, and Insomnia.

Melatonin ( see diagram, above) is an important initiator of sleep. In numerous studies, 5HTP has been shown to decrease the time required to get to sleep and to decrease the number of awakenings.(4,10)

5-HTP may prove to be better than melatonin. Several clinical studies have shown 5-HTP to produce good results in promoting and maintaining sleep in normal subjects as well as those experiencing insomnia. One of the key benefits with 5-HTP in the treatment of insomnia is its ability to increase sleep quality.

Migraine sufferers should be aware that both analgesics and ergotamines can cause rebound headaches and that just stopping the use of these drugs can, by itself, decrease the frequency of migraine. However, stopping the use of analgesics and ergotamines presents a problem in itself, since the user will probably have to suffer through a period of headaches initially; that period should not be longer than about one week. Those of you who take Zomig should NOT take it while taking 5-HTP as Zomig is a specific-5 -hydroxytrypatamine agonist: this combination is most unpleasant and may be dangerous.

Maybe the ultimate weight loss product, 5-HTP promotes earlier feeling of satiety (the feeling of being"full") in your meal. Studies 1,2,3 have consistently shown that obese test subjects taking 5-HTP:

As far back as 1975, researchers demonstrated that administering 5-HTP to rats that were bred to overeat and be obese, resulted in significant reduction in food intake. It turns out that these rats have decreased activity of the enzyme that converts tryptophan to 5-HTP and subsequently to serotonin. In other words, rats are fat as a result of a genetically determined low level of activity of the enzyme that starts the manufacture of serotonin from tryptophan. As a result, these rats never get the message to stop eating until they have consumed far greater amounts of food than normal rats.

There is much circumstantial evidence that many humans are genetically predisposed to obesity. This predisposition may involve the same mechanism as that observed in the rats genetically predisposed to obesity. In other words, many people may be predisposed to being overweight because they have a decreased conversion of tryptophan to 5-HTP and, as a result, decreased serotonin levels. By providing preformed 5-HTP, this genetic defect is bypassed and more serotonin is manufactured. 5-HTP literally turns off hunger.

Human clinical studies of over weight women were carried out at the University of Rome.

The first study showed that 5-HTP was able to reduce caloric intake and promote weight loss despite the fact that the women made no conscious effort to lose weight. The average amount of weight loss during the five week period of 5-HTP supplementation was a little more than 3 pounds. The second study sought to determine whether 5-HTP helped overweight individuals adhere to dietary recommendations. The twelve-week study was divided onto six-week periods. For the first six weeks, there were no dietary recommendations; for the second six weeks the women were placed on a 1,200 calorie diet. The women who took the placebo lost 2.28 pounds, while the women who took the 5-HTP lost 10.34 pounds. As in the previous study, 5-HTP appeared to promote weight loss by promoting satiety-the feeling of satisfaction-leading to fewer calories being consumed at meals. Every woman who took the 5-HTP reported early satiety.

In the third study involving 5-HTP, for the first six weeks there were no dietary restrictions, and for the second six weeks the women were placed on a 1,200-calorie- per- day diet. The results from this study were even more impressive than the previous studies for several reasons. The group that received the 5-HTP had lost an average of 4.39 pounds at six weeks and an average of 11.63 pounds at 12 weeks. In comparison, the placebo group had lost an average of only .62 pounds at six weeks and 1.87 pounds at 12 weeks. The lack of weight loss during the second six-weeks period in the placebo group obviously reflects the fact that the women had difficulty adhering to the diet.

Early satiety was reported by 100 percent of the subjects during the first six-week period. During the second six-week period, even with severe caloric restriction, ninety percent of the women taking 5-HTP reported early satiety. Many of the women who received the 5-HTP (300mg three times per day) reported mild nausea during the first six weeks of therapy. However, the symptom was never severe enough for any of the women to drop out of the study. No other side effects were reported.

Wasn't the weight loss drug Redux, which raises serotonin levels, taken off the market because it caused damage to the heart valves? Is there a risk with 5-HTP doing the same?

Michael Murray N.D. replied that In September 1997 , the popular weight loss drug Redux and its chemical cousin fenfluramine, part of the "fenphen" combination, were taken off the market based on a study showing that these drugs may have caused permanent damage to heart valves in as many as one-third of the people who took them. There is no evidence that 5-HTP produces these effects. Unlike Redux, 5-HTP does not raise blood serotonin levels to a significant degree, nor does it block reuptake of serotonin. The point here is that 5-HTP does not disrupt the normal process of serotonin release, reabsorbtion, and elimination from the body. 5-HTP is not a synthetic drug; it is an amino acid produced naturally by the body's metabolism.

For weight loss, in addition to 5-HTP, consider Calcium Pyruvate for increased metabolic rate to burn calories, L-Carnitine which helps transport long chain fatty acids to the mitochondria where they are burned for energy, and a Chitosan supplement which binds fat and allows it to pass through you without your body absorbing it, and also Natures Greenz™ barley and wheat grass powder which provides the essential minerals, vitamins and enzymes which is lacking in today's food.

Weight loss occurs when a person burns more calories than she or he ingests. Therefore, eating less, eating right , and exercising are essential to your weight loss program. Easier said than done! Additionally, it is important to focus on fat loss as opposed to just weight loss, since nobody has a reason to want to lose lean muscle tissue. Remember, it is impossible to "lose weight overnight" in a healthy manner. Permanent, healthy weight loss takes time and dedication. Good luck, we know you can do it!

1. Cangiano,C.Ceci, F Cascino, A Del Ben, M. Laviano, A .Muscaritoli, M Antonucci, F Rossi Fanelli, F Eating behavior and adherence to dietary prescriptions in obese adult subjects treated with 5-hydroxytryptophan.American- Journal-of- clinical- nutrition( U.S.A.).(Nov 1992). v.56(5) p.863-867. 1992 0002-9165

2. Cangiano,C., A Del Ben, M. Laviano, M Preziosa I, F Cascino , A Rossi Fanelli F, Effects of oral 5-hydroxy-tryptophan on energy intake and macronutient section in non-insulin dependent diabetic patients. Int-J-Obes-relat-Metab-Disord. 1998 Jul; 22(7): 648-54 1998 0307-0565.

3. Cangiano,C.Ceci, F Carirella M Cascino, A Del Ben, M. Laviano, A .Muscaritoli, F Rossi Fanelli, Effects of 5-hydroxy-tryptophan on eating behavior and adherence to dietary prescription in obese adult subjects. Adv-Exp-Med-Biol.1991; 294: 591-3 1991 0065-2598.

4. Murray, Micheal, ND, Pizzomo, Joseph, ND, Encylopedia of Natural Medicine, second ed. Prima Publishing, Rocklin . 1998.

5. Birsall TC, 5-hydroxytryptophan : clinically-effective serotonin precursor. Altern Med Rev 1998 Aug ;3 (40; 271-80.

6. Nicolodi M, Scuteri F, Fibromyalgia and migraine , two faces of the same mechanism. Serotonin as the common clue for pathogenenesis and therapy.Adv Exp Med Biol 1996; 398: 373-9.

7. Juhl JH, Fibromyalgia and the serotonin pathway. Altern Med Rev 1998 Oct; 3(5): 367-75.

8. Caruso I , Sarzi Puttini P, Cazzola M, Azzulini V, Double-blind study of 5-hydroxytryptophan verses placebo in the treatment of primary fibromyalgia syndrome.J Int Med Res 1990 May-Jun; 18 (3): 201-9.

9. De Beneditus G. Massei R, Serotinin precursors in chronic primary headache. A double-blind study with L-5- hydroxytryptophan vs.placebo.J Nuerosurg Sci 1985 Jul-Sep; 29(3): 239-48.

10. De Giorgis G, Miletto R, Iannuccelli M, Camuffo M, Scerni S, Headache in association with sleep disorders in children: a psychodiagnostic evaluation and contolled clinical study-5-HTP vs placebo.Drug Exp Clin Res 1987; 13(7):425-33. Double-Blind Placebo -Controlled Trials

11a. Nardini,M., R.De Stefano,M. Iannuccelli,R. Borghesi and N Battistini (1983)."treatment of depression with L-5- hydroxytryptophan combined with chlorimipramine, a double-blind study." Int J Clin Pharmacol Res 3(4): 239-50.

11. Kahn, R.S.., H.G. Westenberg, W.M. Verhoeven, C.C.Gispen-de Wied and W.D. Kamerbeek(1987)."Effect of serotonin precursor and uptake inhibitor in anxiety disorders; a double-blind comparison of 5- hydroxytryptophan, clomipramine and placebo." Int Clin Psychopharmacol 2(1): 33-45.

12. De Giorgis, G.., R.Miletto, M Iannuccelli, M. Cammuffo and S. Scerni (1987)."headache in association with sleep disorders in children: a pyschodiagnotic evaluation and controlled stuy-L-T-HTP v placebo." Drugs Exp Clin Res 13(7): 425-33

13. Ceci , F., C Cangiano, M.Cascino, M. Del Ben, M.Muscaritoli L, L. Sibilia and F.Rossi Fanelli (1989).The "effects of oral 5- hydroxytryptophan administration on feeding behaviour in obese adult female subjects." J Nueral Transm 76(2); 109-17.

14. De Benedittis,G and R. Massei (1985)."Serotinin precursor in chronic primary headache. A double-blind cross-over study with L-5- hydroxytryptophan vs. placebo." J Neurosurg Sci 29(3): 239-48.

15. Rousseau,J.J.(1987)." Effects of a levo-5- hydroxytryptophan-dihydroergocristine combination on depression and neuropsyhic performance: a double-blind-placebo-controlled clinical trial in elderly patients." Clin Ther 9(3): 267-72.

16. Caruso, I., P.Sarzi Puttini, M.Cazzola and V. Azzulini (1990)."Double-blind study of 5- hydroxytryptophan versus placebo in the treatment of primary fibromyalgia syndromw." J Int Med Res 18(3): 201-9

17. Alino,J.J., J.L. Gutierrez and M.L. Igelesias(1976)." 5- hydroxytryptophan(5-HTP) and a MAOI (nialamide) in the treatment of depression.A double-blind controlled study." Int Pharmacopsychiatry 11(1): 8-15. Recommended reading 5-HTP the Natural Way to Overcome Depression, Obesity, and Insomia Micheal Murray,N.D.

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