5-HTP (Jarrow) Each bottle, 60 capsules. Each capsule, 100 mg. Suggested dose is 1 capsule per day with meals or as directed by your qualified healthcare provider. To avoid appetite suppression, use 1 hour before bed time.
The primary uses for this supplement are to help offset depression, improve sleeping and to inhibit appetite. (Most people with HIV, though, NEED to eat.) 5-hydroxy-tryptophan (5-HTP) is part of a pathway used by the body to produce serotonin. The amino acid tryptophan is converted to 5HTP and then to serotonin. Serotonin is a chemical used for a variety of functions in the brain (and part of a class of compounds that deliver messages between brain cells (neurons) called neurotransmitters). Increasing serotonin levels in the central nervous system may help to offset depression. This is also important for production of melatonin. Indeed, this may be a true alternative to Prozac and other such drugs for some people (all of which have their own significant limitations in terms of efficacy and their significant side effects). One study showed comparable activity with fewer side effects in treating depression when compared to fluvoxamine/Luvox. If using for sleep or depression, consider using only before bedtime. It has been used to treat obese subjects, as it results in decreased appetite and reduced carbohydrate intake with early satiety (feeling full faster). This may be a BAD IDEA for people with HIV who do NOT need to lose appetite. This is another good reason to take it 1 hour before bedtime.
DO NOT TAKE VITAMIN B6 AT THE SAME TIME AS THIS! (At least not within 2 hours of using HTP.) B6 is a coenzyme that works with the decarboxylase enzyme. This latter decarboxylase clips a COOH of 5-HTP, turning it into serotonin. Fine if this happens in the brain. Not fine if this happens in the liver. Peripheral blood increase in serotonin is important. Use this supplement only if you are cutting back on B6 intake (max 25 mg/day) and for as short a period of time as possible. Again, if you separate multi usage by a few hours at least and take this an hour before bedtime, this should reduce any interaction problem with vitamin B6.
DO NOT TAKE WITH MAO INHIBITORS OR OTHER ANTIDEPRESSANTS. Also, may not be a good idea to mix with St. John's wort. Also, do not use if pregnant or nursing, trying to conceive or under 18. If you have a medical condition, take only under the advice of your healthcare provider.
A placebo-controlled study and a randomized study comparing 5-HTP against methysergide each showed benefit in reducing migraine headache severity and duration. For aiding in sleep, 100 mg should be effective in a large adult male. For more information on best use, dose, time, with/without food, the best book on 5-HTP appears to be Dr. Ray Sahelian's 5-HTP: Nature's Serotonin Solution (Avery publishing Group, New York, 1998).
According to Jarrow: "Jarrow Formulas 5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan) is an extract of Griffonia simplicifolia seeds from coastal West Africa and is verified to be free of "peak X" contaminant. Purity is assured by HPLC. 5-HTP is the direct metabolic precursor of serotonin and is important for the production of melatonin.*"
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Other Ingredients: Rice powder, magnesium stearate and silicon dioxide. Capsule consists of gelatin.
