How will I benefit from MX 5-HTP?
5-HTP is responsible for improving the production and activity of serotonin in the brain. This chemical is responsible for appetite, mood, and sleep. When levels are decreased, people can experience insomnia, depression, higher stress levels, and some overeating tendencies and conditions. Taking 5-HTP will help improve the function of serotonin and give your body an overall sense of wellbeing and stress reduction while also improving sleep.

Will I see immediate results?
Not always. While some patients will see results quite quickly, it takes time for the body to build up the levels of serotonin and 5-HTP to help improve the function and activity of this neurotransmitter. Everyone is different, so you should allow time for the effects to take place. You should also understand that they will be more likely to occur gradually rather than suddenly.

Will there be side effects?
Most people experience no ill effects from taking MX 5-HTP. Stomach upset is most common, but can be alleviated by taking the supplement with food. People who are taking other medications or who have serious medical conditions should consult with their doctor before taking this supplement to ensure that they will not have drug interactions or side effects related to their medical conditions. This is rare, but still needs to be addressed.

Can MX 5-HTP be taken with other medications?
Some medications will not affect 5-HTP, while others might have more of an undesired effect. It will be up to you to talk to your doctor about possible drug interactions and the medications that you are currently taking before you take MX 5-HTP to ensure that you are completely safe. Interactions are very rare, but you should always check with your doctor for safety purposes.

Will 5-HTP treat depression or other conditions?
MX 5-HTP is designed as a nutritional supplement. While it may help to alleviate symptoms of stress, depression, and other medical conditions, it is not intended to treat or cure any disease. MX 5-HTP is also not a replacement for prescription medication or the care of a medical professional in the event that you have depression or other medical conditions. If you have a medical condition or illness or suspect that you might, you need to see a doctor for diagnosis and to discuss the best treatment for your situation, as well as whether 5-HTP is a good supplement for your health needs.

What if I have questions about this or other products?
If you have anything at all that you want to know, please don’t hesitate to send us an email. At Maxalife, we are here for you and always interested to know what our customers are curious about. Our goal is to provide you with the best information and resources available for supplements and natural health, and we can do a much better job if you let us know what you need. Head over to our contact page and send us an email with any questions you might have.

More about 5-HTP Benefits

WebMD: Information about uses and benefits of 5-HTP

5-HTP Benefits (from Nutritional Supplements Health Guide):

• 5-HTP and Insomnia. The relationship between 5-HTP and sleep (good sleep) has been well-established. In fact, 5 HTP supplement is seen to be better than melatonin in promoting good sleep and alleviating insomnia. It is able to increase the quality of sleep without hangover or drugged feelings which are usually present with sleeping pills and sedatives.
• 5-HTP and Depression. Many people have already enjoyed the benefits of 5-HTP against depression. It is reportedly as effective as anti-depressants in the treatment of mild to moderate depression.
• 5-HTP and Anxiety. Low serotonin levels can lead to abnormal anxiety. With HTP, there is a good chance for serotonin to go back to its natural level, so you can feel normal again.
• 5 HTP and Weight Loss. If you would like to lose weight, 5-HTP may do wonders for you as well. An appetite too healthy may be caused by low serotonin levels. Taking in 5-HTP can normalize these levels. At the same time, 5-htp supplements can decrease your food intake by creating a feeling of fullness. It also is able to increase the secretion of the hormone leptin (an appetite regulator) thus resulting to enhanced weight loss.
• 5 HTP and Bipolar Disorder. Clinical studies have shown the anti-depressant effect of 5HTP supplement for those suffering from bipolar II disorder. 5-HTP can alleviate and reduce to improve the general quality of life of bipolar sufferers.
• 5 HTP and Fibromyalgia. One of the major benefits of 5-HTP is the help that it gives for people with fibromyalgia. It helps improve sleep while at the same time reduce depression, pain, stiffness and anxiety - all of which are symptoms of this condition.
• 5 HTP and Headaches. 5-hydroxytryptophan supplement has also been used for treating chronic headaches such as tension headaches, juvenile headaches and migraine. These are conditions which may be related to low serotonin. 5-HTP has the ability to reduce the severity and frequency of these conditions, with fewer side effects compared to other chronic headache medications.

5-Hydroxytryptophan: A Clinically-Effective Serotonin Precursor

Birdsall TC.73541.2166@compuserve.com

5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) is the intermediate metabolite of the essential amino acid L-tryptophan (LT) in the biosynthesis of serotonin. Intestinal absorption of 5-HTP does not require the presence of a transport molecule, and is not affected by the presence of other amino acids; therefore it may be taken with meals without reducing its effectiveness. Unlike LT, 5-HTP cannot be shunted into niacin or protein production. Therapeutic use of 5-HTP bypasses the conversion of LT into 5-HTP by the enzyme tryptophan hydroxylase, which is the rate-limiting step in the synthesis of serotonin. 5-HTP is well absorbed from an oral dose, with about 70 percent ending up in the bloodstream. It easily crosses the blood-brain barrier and effectively increases central nervous system (CNS) synthesis of serotonin. In the CNS, serotonin levels have been implicated in the regulation of sleep, depression, anxiety, aggression, appetite, temperature, sexual behavior, and pain sensation. Therapeutic administration of 5-HTP has been shown to be effective in treating a wide variety of conditions, including depression, fibromyalgia, binge eating associated with obesity, chronic headaches, and insomnia.

Pascucci T, Andolina D, Mela IL, Conversi D, Latagliata C, Ventura R, Puglisi-Allegra S, Cabib S.

Dipartimento di Psicologia and Centro 'Daniel Bovet', 'Sapienza' University, Rome, Italy. tiziana.pascucci@uniroma1.it

Abstract

Adult early treated hyperphenylalaninaemic patients can show specific deficits of prefrontal cortical functions. The development of additional therapeutic strategies for these patients requires the understanding of the mechanisms involved in phenylalanine-dependent impairment of fronto-cortical functions. We tested the hypothesis of phenylalanine interference with aminergic neurotransmission in the prefrontal cortex by evaluating, in vivo, amine release in adult Pah(enu2) mice, the genetic model of phenylketonuria. Mice of healthy background responded to a psychogenic stressor with the classic time-dependent increase of norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin release from prefrontal cortical terminals. Neither the dopaminergic nor the serotoninergic responses were observable in the Pah(enu2) mice. Temporary reduction of circulating phenylalanine, by phenylalanine-free diet without amino- acid supplement, promoted recovery of the serotonin response only, demonstrating direct interference with serotonin synthesis in the mature brain. Evaluation of different steps of serotonin synthesis in the prefrontal cortex of hyperphenylalaninaemic mice demonstrated inhibition of cortical tryptophan hydroxylase activity. Finally, systemic administration of 5-hydroxytryptophan, the product of tryptophan hydroxylase activity, allowed frontal cortical serotonin response to stress in hyperphenylalaninaemic mice. Collectively, these results demonstrate that hyperphenylalaninaemia interferes with the ability of the mature prefrontal cortex to respond to psychological challenges, point to serotonin synthesis as the target of phenylalanine interference, and support the use of 5-hydroxytryptophan in lifelong treatment of hyperphenylalaninaemic subjects.

PMID: 19664307 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

5-Hydroxytryptophan: a clinically-effective serotonin precursor.

Birdsall TC.

73541.2166@compuserve.com

Abstract

5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) is the intermediate metabolite of the essential amino acid L-tryptophan (LT) in the biosynthesis of serotonin. Intestinal absorption of 5-HTP does not require the presence of a transport molecule, and is not affected by the presence of other amino acids; therefore it may be taken with meals without reducing its effectiveness. Unlike LT, 5-HTP cannot be shunted into niacin or protein production. Therapeutic use of 5-HTP bypasses the conversion of LT into 5-HTP by the enzyme tryptophan hydroxylase, which is the rate-limiting step in the synthesis of serotonin. 5-HTP is well absorbed from an oral dose, with about 70 percent ending up in the bloodstream. It easily crosses the blood-brain barrier and effectively increases central nervous system (CNS) synthesis of serotonin. In the CNS, serotonin levels have been implicated in the regulation of sleep, depression, anxiety, aggression, appetite, temperature, sexual behaviour, and pain sensation. Therapeutic administration of5-HTP has been shown to be effective in treating a wide variety of conditions, including depression, fibromyalgia, binge eating associated with obesity, chronic headaches, and insomnia.

PMID: 9727088 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]