Info: Available in 2 Types (One with L-Tyrosine)
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter which can affect sleep, appetite, temperature, sexual behaviour, and sensing pain. 5-HTP (hydroxytryptophan) is a precursor to it (involved in its production), so it may be of great value in assisting with a number of conditions where a relative lack of serotonin is believed to play a significant role, including insomnia, depression, and obesity.
Info: Available in 2 Types (One with L-Tyrosine)
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter which can affect sleep, appetite, temperature, sexual behaviour, and sensing pain. 5-HTP (hydroxytryptophan) is a precursor to it (involved in its production), so it may be of great value in assisting with a number of conditions where a relative lack of serotonin is believed to play a significant role, including insomnia, depression, and obesity.
Product Notes:
In addition to taking 5-HTP to get better sleep, improve mood, decrease appetite, and reduce anxiety, it may help reduce the severity and duration of migraine headaches, and help relieve the symptoms of fibromyalgia (which may include muscle tenderness and pain, lowered pain thresholds, fatigue, and nonrestorative sleep).
The 5-HTP in these natural supplements is extracted from the seeds of the African Griffonia simplicifolia plant. And in the combination product, that's complemented with B-vitamins to enhance the metabolism of amino acids, and with Tyrosine, which is involved in the synthesis of two other neurotransmitters, dopamine and norepinephrine, which may help counteract the negative effects of stress, and help with concentration. Together, they form the most synergistic and complete vegetarian formulation NOW offers to boost serotonin production. Readily absorbed, this is one of the few approved natural therapies for fibromyalgia with the possibility of reducing pain severity, morning stiffness, and sleeplessness, and it may also help with anxiety and mood imbalance.
Ingredients:
Stand-Alone Type; Amount per capsule:
5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan) (Griffonia simplicifolia) (Seed): 100 mg
Other ingredients: White Rice Flour, Capsule (gelatin, water).
Free of yeast, wheat, gluten, corn, soy, milk, sugar, salt, colors, or preservatives.
Combination Type; each capsule contains:
L-5-HTP (L-5-Hydroxytryptophan) (from Griffonia simplicifolia Seeds): 200 mg
L-Tyrosine (from Human Hair): 250 mg
Vitamin B-3 (as Niacinamide): 10 mg
Vitamin B-6 (from Pyridoxine Hydrochloride): 3 mg
Other Ingredients: Capsule (gelatin, water) Magnesium Stearate (vegetable source), Silica.
Suggested Usage:
100 mg Strength: Adult Dosage: As a sleeping aid, take 100 or 200 mg daily with food, 30 to 45 minutes before bedtime. If using as a prophylactic against migraines or to help relieve fibromyalgia, take 100 mg 3 to 4 times daily, with food.
200 mg Strength w/ L-Tyrosine: Adult Dosage: To minimize the risk of gastrointestinal side effects, slowly increase dose to effective levels over a period of 2 weeks. For use beyond 1 year consult a health care practitioner.
For Fibromyalgia: Take 1 capsule 2 times daily with food. Use for a minimum of 2 weeks to see beneficial effects.
For Mood balance: Take 1 capsule 1 to 3 times daily with food. Use for a minimum of 1 week to see beneficial effects.
Warnings:
100 mg Strength: Do not use NOW Foods 5-hydroxytryptophan if you have scleroderma. Consult a healthcare practitioner prior to use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or if you are taking carbidopa or drugs/supplements with serotonergic activity. These may include, but are not limited to, L-tryptophan, S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe), St. John's wort, antidepressants, pain killers, over-the-counter cough and cold medication containing dextromethorphan, anti-nausea medication and anti-migraine medication. Discontinue use of 5HTP and consult a healthcare practitioner if you show signs of weakness, oral ulcers, or abdominal pain accompanied by severe muscle pain, or if you experience skin changes. Consult a healthcare practitioner if sleeplessness persists continuously for more than 3 weeks (chronic insomnia). Consult a healthcare practitioner if symptoms persist or worsen. Exercise caution if operating heavy machinery, driving a motor vehicle or involved in activities requiring mental alertness. Some people may experience diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain and drowsiness.
200 mg Strength with L-Tyrosine: Do not use if you have scleroderma. Consult a healthcare practitioner prior to use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, following a low protein diet, or if you are taking carbidopa or drugs/supplements with serotonergic activity; these may include but are not limited to: L-tryptophan, S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe), St. John's wort, antidepressants, painkillers, over the counter cough and cold medication containing dextromethorphan, anti-nausea and anti-migraine medication. Consult a health care practitioner if symptoms persist or worsen. Discontinue use and consult a health care practitioner if you show signs of weakness, oral ulcers, or abdominal pain accompanied by severe muscle pain or if you experience skin changes. Some people may experience drowsiness. Exercise caution if operating heavy machinery, driving a motor vehicle or involved in activities requiring mental alertness. Gastrointestinal side effects including, but not limited to, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain will occur, but will subside with continued use.
Health Canada Natural Product Numbers: NPN: 800054225 for the 100 mg strength and 80009864 for the combination product.
Supporting Science:
“5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP): Natural Occurrence, Analysis, Biosynthesis, Biotechnology, Physiology and Toxicology.” International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2020.
“Adjunctive 5-Hydroxytryptophan Slow-Release for Treatment-Resistant Depression: Clinical and Preclinical Rationale.” Trends in Pharmacological Sciences, 2016.
“Behavioral and cognitive effects of tyrosine intake in healthy human adults.” Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior, 2015.
“Efficacy and safety of 5-hydroxytryptophan on depression and apathy in Parkinson's disease: a preliminary finding.” European Journal of Neurology, 2020.
“Fibromyalgia and migraine, two faces of the same mechanism. Serotonin as the common clue for pathogenesis and therapy.” Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, 1996.
“From forest to pharmacy: Should we be depressed about a sustainable Griffonia simplicifolia (Fabaceae) seed supply chain?” Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2021.
“Nutraceutical preparations in childhood migraine prophylaxis: effects on headache outcomes including disability and behaviour.” Neurological Sciences: Official Journal of the Italian Neurological Society and of the Italian Society of Clinical Neurophysiology, 2012.
“Unraveling the serotonin saga: from discovery to weight regulation and beyond - a comprehensive scientific review.” Cell & Bioscience, 2023.
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