5HTP (5 hydroxytryptophan)

5 HTP

Are you looking for a natural solution to help you better deal with stress, balance your mood and improve the quality of your sleep? Then 5-HTP might be just the solution for you!

5-HTP (or 5-hydroxytryptophan) is an amino acid that’s naturally produced by the body or can be taken as a supplement. It’s a precursor to the neurotransmitter serotonin, which is synthesized from tryptophan, another amino acid. Inside the body, tryptophan increases the synthesis of serotonin, our “feel good” neurotransmitter; therefore, supplementing with 5 htp naturally helps elevate mood, boost energy & motivation, as well as regulate appetite, sleep, and nervous system function. Conversely, low serotonin is associated with low or irregular mood, sleep disorders, weight gain, and a variety of other health problems. Now, because serotonin itself cannot cross our blood-brain barrier, a serotonin supplement would be useless. This supplement; however, is an ideal solution, because it provides all of the necessary building blocks to the body, so it can increase the bodies natural production of serotonin.

Benefits of 5-HTP

• Balances Symptoms of Mood Disorders
• Improves Sleep (Increases production of Melatonin)
• Relieves Mood-Based Symptoms
• Supports Weight Loss

Who Needs 5-HTP?

5-HTP is commonly recommended by natural health practitioners for mood disorders, sleep difficulties and insomnia, frequent infections such as the cold and flu, symptoms of PMS, cognitive disorders, chronic pain conditions and headaches & migraines.

5-HTP Supplement Potency's & Formats

5-HTP is available in tablet or capsule form, either in its purified form or as an extract of the Griffonia simplicifolia plant – both offering similar applications and results. Generally, the dosing recommendation is somewhere in the range of 150 to 800mg daily. Certain conditions may require a higher dose closer to 3mg daily. In such instances, it’s best to seek the advice of a knowledgeable health care practitioner.

When starting on this supplement, it’s best to start with a lower dose and build up to the recommended dosing.

5-HTP should ideally be taken with a carbohydrate food or drink, such as juice, to increase absorption.

For weight loss or to help suppress appetite, taking your this supplement before or with a meal may yield the best results.

If taking this supplement for healthy mood balance, consider taking it along with GABA or Theanine for optimized results and better stress management.

Final Thoughts

When selecting your 5-HTP supplement, it’s important to know that it can be marketed under several other names including; Griffonia plant seed extract, Griffonia simplicifolia extract, and oxitriptan.

5-HTP can support healthy serotonin production to balance mood. As such, if you’re already taking antidepressants/anti-anxiety medications, please seek the advice of a qualified health care practitioner before taking this supplement.