5-Hydroxytryptophan appears to be effective for the prevention of chronic headaches of various types.5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) is a natural supplement which claims to control appetite, improve insomnia, relive headaches and boost and balance moods. Quite a list! However, what exactly is this supplement and does it really deliver on the claims?
5-HTP is a naturally occurring amino acid that the human body uses to make serotonin, the neuro-transmitter known as the ‘happy hormone’ which appears to play a key role in sleep, moods, pain control, inflammation and other bodily functions. 5-HTP is manufactured by the body from L-tryptophan, an amino acid found in most dietary proteins.
However, eating foods that contain L-tryptophan does not significantly raise 5-HTP levels in the body. The supplement 5-HTP is derived from the seeds of the West African medicinal plant, Griffonia simplicifolia.
There are many scientific studies suggesting that 5-HTP may be beneficial for a range of different conditions, particularly those linked to serotonin imbalance and dysfunctions such as depression, fibromyalgia and migraines.
5-HTP is a naturally occurring amino acid that the human body uses to make serotonin, the neuro-transmitter known as the ‘happy hormone’ which appears to play a key role in sleep, moods, pain control, inflammation and other bodily functions
It acts by boosting levels of serotonin in the central nervous system (CNS), as well as other neurotransmitters and CNS chemicals such as melatonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. This action allows 5-HTP to have significant effects on brain chemistry and on serotonin-related conditions.
Here are some of the related conditions:
Depression 5-HTP can markedly improve symptoms of depression, according to several clinical trials. One, involving 36 patients with diagnosed depression, took 5-HTP (100mg three times a day) which was tested against the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor fluvoxamine, for six weeks.
The results showed that both treatment groups had significant and nearly equal reductions in depression beginning at week two and continuing through to week six.
By week four, 42 per cent treated with 5-HTP and 55 per cent of those treated with fluvoxamine had improved by at least 50 per cent. By the end of the study period, the two groups had nearly equal numbers showing 50 per cent improvement.
However, there were more treatment failures in the fluvoxamine group (Altern. Med. Rev., 1998).
Migraines and headaches 5-HTP appears to be effective for the prevention of chronic headaches of various types, including migraines, tension headaches and headaches in children (Altern. Med. Rev., 1998).
In a study, 124 patients were given 5-HTP against one of the more commonly used migraine drugs. After six months, a significant improvement was observed in 75 per cent of the patients treated with a common migraine drug, against 71 per cent of the cases treated with 5-HTP. However, the 5-HTP group was more successful at reducing the intensity and duration of migraine attacks rather than their frequency (Eur. Neurol., 1986).
In a further study among 48 schoolchildren, those treated with 5-HTP were found to have a 70 per cent reduction in headache frequency compared to an 11 per cent reduction in a group taking a placebo.
Insomnia Some studies suggest 5-HTP might be helpful in treating sleep disorders such as insomnia. In a study where healthy participants were given divided doses of 5-HTP, it was found to increase rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. This is an indication of improvement of sleep quality.
Other studies showed that varying the strength of dose helped, however, it was important to control the strength of dose to avoid leading to unwanted side effects (Altern. Med. Rev., 1998).
Fibromyalgia I recently wrote about this condition and how painful it can be. A double-blind study of 50 sufferers took 5-HTP three times a day for a month and found significant improvements in all of the symptoms studied, including pain, tender points, morning stiffness, sleep disturbances, anxiety and fatigue (J. Int. Med Res, 1990). Further studies of a longer duration have repeated the same findings.
Obesity 5-HTP is commonly found in weight loss supplements. The claims are usually that it can curb appetite and thus help to lose weight. There is some evidence to support this, including three trials in obese patients showing reduced food intakes and subsequent weight loss with 5-HTP supplementation (Altern Med, Rev., 1998).
In one study, 20 obese patients were given either 5-HTP or a placebo, over a period of two consecutive six-week periods. There was no addition dietary advice given to any of the participants in the first of the six-week periods. However, in the second stage, a diet restricting food on a daily basis was recommended.
The researchers reported significant weight loss in the 5-HTP group for both periods of the study. Additionally a reduced appetite was reported. A side effect of those taking 5-HTP was that 80 per cent reported experiencing some nausea, but nothing severe enough to cause any of the participants to drop out of the study. Additionally, this feeling diminished over the period of the study (J. Clin Nutr., 1992).
In conclusion, 5-HTP is proving successful in various chronic conditions. Ultimately it may prove to be a useful alternative to drugs such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and migraine preventers. However, larger studies are required, and more recent research on the supplement.
Dosages have not yet been agreed and there are some mild side effects such as nausea, heartburn, feelings of fullness. In addition, it is important not to combine 5-HTP with antidepressants or SSRIs, although no specific reports have shown any serious reactions.
If one is considering this supplement, it is beneficial to consult a doctor for further advice.
kathryn@maltanet.net