For those who did not like 5htp

[dar7726]

You might take a look at this.

Tryptophan and 5-hydroxy-tryptophan

Supplemental 5-HTP (oxitriptan), the intermediary between tryptophan and serotonin, is also available as a natural remedy for the serotonin deficiency syndrome, yet tryptophan offers a major advantage over 5-HTP for many people.

There are nerves that line the intestinal tract, which use serotonin as their neurotransmitter. These nerves contain the carboxylase enzyme that converts 5-HTP to serotonin, but not the hydroxylase enzyme that coverts tryptophan to 5-HTP.

Thus, when 5-HTP is swallowed, large amounts of 5-HTP may be picked up by these intestinal serotonergic neurons and quickly converted to serotonin, leading to hyperactivity of these nerves.

This in turn may lead to nausea, vomiting, cramping, constipation and/ or diarrhea, and indeed, the research published on 5-HTP since the 1970’s has consistently shown various forms of intestinal discomfort to be the main side effect of 5-HTP use.

Yet, because these intestinal neurons cannot convert tryptophan to 5-HTP, tryptophan does not cause intestinal distress.

Hope this helps someone,
Darlene

[Scott]

5-htp defense



5-HTP - Prozac’s true alternative
by James South MA

5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) is the less well known cousin of serotonin (5-HT), one of the most important brain neurotransmitters. Tryptophan is first converted to 5-HTP in nerve cells by a vitamin B3 dependant enzyme, and then 5-HTP is converted to 5-HT by a vitamin B6 dependant enzyme. Yet thanks to modern science, we can now take preformed 5-HTP, with many consequent advantages.

5-HTP passes through the blood brain barrier into the brain far more easily than tryptophan, and getting tryptophan through the blood brain barrier is the main bottleneck, which in many people leads to inadequate brain serotonin levels.

Also, 5-HTP is not used to make proteins in the body, while tryptophan is, so there isn’t competition by cells outside the brain for 5-HTP, as there is for the body’s scare tryptophan supplies.

The body often uses tryptophan to make vitamin B3, at a very high cost of 60mg tryptophan to make just 1mg B3! 5-HTP is not wasted to make vitamin B3.

Tryptophan can be broken down in the liver by pyrrolase, an enzyme that converts tryptophan to kynurenine and its metabolites, which can be mildly liver toxic at high levels. 5-HTP is not metabolized through this pathway.

Because of this, tryptophan supplementation especially in chronically stressed people should be kept to 1 gram (1000mg) per day or less, because the stress hormone- cortisol activates pyrrolase.

The work of HM van Praag, SN Young and others over the last 20 years, shows that serotonin is a key brain neurotransmitter involved in mood regulation (anti-anxiety and antidepressant), impulse control (inhibits aggression and obsessive compulsive disorders [OCD], pain control and sleep).

Serotonin is also the precursor for our pineal gland’s production of melatonin. Human clinical studies show that 5-HTP is a far more efficient increaser of brain serotonin than tryptophan.

Further, when 5-HTP has been compared to tryptophan in human studies, 5-HTP has been a far more successful antidepressant, even when the tryptophan dosage used is 10 to 15 times higher than the 5-HTP dosage. Also, relapses back into depression are more common with tryptophan than with 5-HTP.

Unlike tryptophan, 5-HTP has been shown to increase brain dopamine (DA) and noradrenaline (NA) activity. These are two key mood and alertness regulating neurotransmitters, and when tyrosine, the amino-acid precursor for brain DA/NA is given along with 5-HTP, the effect is even more powerful.

Van Praag’s and Young’s work suggests that 5-HTP is more likely to be effective for those suffering an anxious, agitated, aggressive, irritable depression and is rarely effective for those suffering from a severe, vegetative, total "blahs" type depression.

5-HTP may also be helpful in some cases of compulsive carbohydrate overeating, alcohol addiction and compulsive gambling (specific forms of OCD), as well as for insomnia.

[dar7726]

That some folks on this board gave up the use of 5htp because it upsets their stomachs. In those individual's L tryptophan may be a better bet.

It does not upset your stomach, or it doesnt' mine. This info was given so those who use 5htp unsuccessfully, might want to try L tryptophan.

Darlene

[safarigal]

Dar

Are you some kind of sales rep for herbal remedies? You are doing a good job of promoting alternatives meds and therapies.

[genevieve]

5HTP, tryptophan... this may be something I would like to try (not rigth now because I am still taking celexa...)
The problem : I just feel like doctors and pharmacists are not well informed on this subject and the sellers of the products are going to say it is good... so it is really frustrating...

[MizzT]

Thank You Scott!!

That was tremendously informative. I may go back to trying 5-HTP again.
I had used it right after my withdrawal a year ago and didnt think it did much. but maybe at this stage it might help some.

im very glad to have some of the fact on the actual actions in the body.

Beverly

[dar7726]

But maybe I should be. Ha!

As I've said before, I took AD drugs for about 18 years.

About 3 years ago I started watching a show called "Your Health" on Family Net and made a connection that antibiotic use and subsequent yeast overgrowth could be a component in my depression and other related health problems.

Therefore, I tried the things suggested on the show to reverse my health problems and in doing so had an awakening of sorts.

I mean first off, I never liked putting foreign things in my body. I was never a drinker, or smoker and didn't do drugs but (lightbulb moment) I was ok with putting Chemicals (foreign substances) in my body in the way
of AD's. The doctors had convinced me that I had a chemical imbalance.

I've watched that show "Your Health" everyday in the last 3 years and other health shows too. Bought health books to verify what was said, went to the net to verify it more and now, I no longer believe in the (Chemical Imbalance Theory" for every mental problem.) I also now believe that there are natural solutions for health issues and that we are
being sold a bill of goods by the Drug Industry. $$$$ you know.

But it doesn't stop there. It is very difficult in todays society to be healthy, But you have to do the best you can. My choice is no longer to put Chemical's into my body but to find natural means and clean up my diet as best I can and as money will allow.

Some of the side effects of AD's is agitation, depression, and suicide. I mean how did it take me so long to wake the h#@% up. I got worse not better. I mean the definition of insanity is to keep doing the same things you've always done and expect different results.

So now I'm off all AD's. It's only been 3 weeks and the last 2 years have been hell, but I'm on a different path and I ain't going back. Ha.

As for health, I talk about it all the time. Some have suggested a website, which we are thinking about. But for now, I just talk about it to everyone I know. We even have friends who want us to come over and talk health. Go figure.

Well, enough said.
Blessings,
Darlene

[oxcart]

Dar,

Your story sounds a lot like mine. Fortunately I was not on AD for that long because I discoverd L-Tryptophan after doing some research and praying (at the time I was on prozac). While I was on Prozac I never got any relief and became suicidal. I feel L-Tryptophan has saved my life! If your AD is not working talk to your Md about L-Tryptophan and do the research it was a life saver for me

No I am not selling L-Tryptophan just trying to help folks.

[oxcart]

By the way here is an excellent article by James South on L-Tryptophan. Enjoy

http://www.antiaging-systems.com/extract/ltrypt.htm

Best,

Oxcart