For the nutritionists/ holistic doctors : HTP or 5-HTP supplement? Is it safe?!


Question: For the nutritionists/ holistic doctors : HTP or 5-HTP supplement? Is it safe?
I've been doing the research on-line on this supplement. Like ALL supplements, I like to research-first before I give anything a try. I'm debating whether to try Sam-E or possibly the HTP. One of my friends is a nurse, and she mentioned it to me. My sleep is affected, my moods have been up and down like a rollercoaster, (I've been under alot of stress and anxiety these past few months - too long to tell the whole story), and my appetite is out of whack. From what I've understood so far, is that HTP helps control the seratonin levels in the body and to the brain... And that HTP can help improve the balance of all these things.
I would really like some insight on whether it would be good and SAFE - I know alot of those supplements out there are NOT approved by the FDA - including this one and SAM-E.
I would greatly appreciate any advice and feedback! Thanks!

Answers:

Consider this quote: "There was not even one death caused by a dietary supplement in 2008, according to the most recent information collected by the U.S. National Poison Data System." [1] When it comes to supplements like 5-htp or SAMe the safety factor is very high.

5-HTP is 5 hydroxy tryptophan, a derivative of the well known essential amino acid, tryptophan. [2] So if your diet is low in protein then there is a good chance that 5-HTP may work for you. If you check out the third link you have a whole host of people giving their opinion on 5-HTP and there is a lot of positive reviews and feedback. Start with a low dose (50mg) and try it for a few days before increasing the dosage to 100mg. If you don't notice any difference within a week then odds are it won't work for you.

"SAMe has been extensively studied, and impressive literature extending back three decades suggests the antidepressant efficacy of SAMe." [4] If 5-HTP does not work for you then SAMe would be a good alternative. Another supplement that is produced naturally in the body, but due to stress, poor diet, genetics, etc some people just do not produce adequate amounts.

The key of course for taking any supplement is to start slow. Pick a good brand so you know that you are giving yourself and the supplement a fair chance. You want to be sure that the supplement is of high quality otherwise how would you know if it was the supplement or the poor quality that lead to failure.

Other supplements that might help include: a multi-vitamin, b-complex (good for stress), and an omega 3 supplement (mood support). For the omega 3 that might mean eating more fish (more protein plus omega 3) or finding a supplement that is high in DHA which is the component of the omega 3 fatty acid that is associated with mood. [5]

So why not try simple changes like more exercise and increasing your protein intake. In addition, you can add natural supplements like 5-HTP or SAMe. They have a long and proven track record of safety and in most cases are safer than the alternatives.

1 http://www.orthomolecular.org/resources/…
2 http://www.orthomolecular.org/library/jo…
3 http://www.revolutionhealth.com/drugs-tr…
4 http://www.springerlink.com/content/k225…
5 http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2007…




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