The chemical 5-hydroxytryptophan (we'll stick with 5-HTP) is produced by the human body from tryptophan, an amino acid. After the body creates 5-HTP, yet another chemical process occurs that turns it into serotonin.
5-HTP cannot be obtained directly from food. And although tryptophan is in foods like seaweed, pumpkin and turkey, eating more of these foods does not help your body produce more 5-HTP.
So how do you get more 5-HTP into your body? Through supplements!
Let's dive into the benefits and precautions associated with taking 5-HTP pills.
You might be surprised to learn that many popular antidepressants don't work better than placebos. But initial studies have shown that 5-HTP supplements do, particularly for those who are suffering from mild to moderate depression.
5-HTP may increase serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin is crucial to maintaining mood balance; low levels of it is believed by researchers to result in depression.
As reported by WebMD, 5-HTP supplements can help to increase deep sleep and reduce pain in those with fibromyalgia. This is because serotonin levels also play a major role in fibromyalgia.
In one double-blind study, fibromyalgia patients who were given 100 mg of 5-HTP three times daily showed significant improvement in their symptoms compared to those who received a placebo.
The full extent of the positive results was observed after 90 days of taking the supplement.
In 1975, researchers conducted a study on 5-HTP using rats that were bred to overeat and be obese. When they were given 5-HTP, there was a significant reduction in their food intake.
This is because 5-HTP works to reduce appetite.
Researchers believe this same mechanism can help humans. Overeating is believed to be partly due to a lower conversion rate of tryptophan to 5-HTP. When the body is supplied with more 5-HTP, appetite is reduced and everyone's happy – literally!
Benefits
Depression Treatment
You might be surprised to learn that many popular antidepressants don't work better than placebos. But initial studies have shown that 5-HTP supplements do, particularly for those who are suffering from mild to moderate depression.
5-HTP may increase serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin is crucial to maintaining mood balance; low levels of it is believed by researchers to result in depression.
Fibromyalgia Treatment
As reported by WebMD, 5-HTP supplements can help to increase deep sleep and reduce pain in those with fibromyalgia. This is because serotonin levels also play a major role in fibromyalgia.
In one double-blind study, fibromyalgia patients who were given 100 mg of 5-HTP three times daily showed significant improvement in their symptoms compared to those who received a placebo.
The full extent of the positive results was observed after 90 days of taking the supplement.
Weight Loss
In 1975, researchers conducted a study on 5-HTP using rats that were bred to overeat and be obese. When they were given 5-HTP, there was a significant reduction in their food intake.
This is because 5-HTP works to reduce appetite.
Researchers believe this same mechanism can help humans. Overeating is believed to be partly due to a lower conversion rate of tryptophan to 5-HTP. When the body is supplied with more 5-HTP, appetite is reduced and everyone's happy – literally!
