A Supplement to Boost Serotonin?

[Guest guest]

A Supplement to Boost Serotonin? JoAnn Guest Jan 29, 2005 23:35 PST

 

 

Can 5 HTP help with narcotics withdrawal and depression? Are there any

foods that will help replenish serotonin combined with 5 HTP?

 

-- Anonymous

 

Today's Answer

(Published 07/17/2002)

 

The dietary supplement 5-HTP (5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan) is promoted as a

treatment for insomnia, depression, migraine, obesity and attention

deficit disorder in children. It is a derivative of the amino acid

tryptophan and, in fact, the body makes it from the tryptophan present

in beef, chicken, fish, dairy products and other high protein foods.

 

In the brain 5-HTP is converted into the neurotransmitter serotonin,

which helps regulate mood, sleep and appetite. Reduced levels of

serotonin are associated with depression, obsessive compulsive disorder,

aggressive behaviors, suicide, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

and migraine. Antidepressant drugs like Prozac, Zoloft, and Paxil work

by increasing serotonin levels in the brain and are also used to treat

other disorders linked to low serotonin including migraine.

 

The 5-HTP supplements on the market today are made from the seeds of an

African plant, Griffonia simplicifolia and appeared on the U.S. market

in 1994 five years after the FDA banned the sale of tryptophan

supplements. The FDA ban was based on a connection between these

supplements and a rare, potentially fatal disease, eosinophilia-myalgia

syndrome, probably caused by a contaminant in one brand imported from

Japan.

 

Promoters claim that 5-HTP is more effective than tryptophan in

relieving depression, sleeping problems and, possibly, narcotics

withdrawal. However, I have seen no scientific evidence demonstrating

that it works as advertised. Anyone taking any type of anti-depressant

medication should avoid 5-HTP, except under a physician’s supervision.

Side effects include nausea, constipation, flatulence, drowsiness and

reduced sex drive. In high doses, 5-HTP may cause liver problems and

aggravate asthma. Women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant

shouldn’t take it.

 

As for foods: with or without 5-HTP, high carbohydrate meals may

increase serotonin levels, but this varies from person to person. I

wouldn’t depend on diet to increase serotonin levels – you could get a

brief boost from a candy bar, but even if you do, it won’t last. The

impact of more complex carbohydrates is less clear.

 

Paradoxically, while protein rich foods contain tryptophan these same

foods have been found to block serotonin production.

 

If you’re experiencing mild to moderate depression, I would recommend

exercise and St. John’s Wort or SAM-e as more effective treatments than

5-HTP.

 

If you have serious forms of any of the other problems for which 5- HTP

is advertised, I suggest seeking professional medical help. Trying to

increase your serotonin levels with 5-HTP or food is probably not the

best approach.

 

Dr. Andrew Weil

 

www.drweil.com

_________________

 

JoAnn Guest

mrsjo-

DietaryTi-

www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest/Genes

 

 

 

 

 

AIM Barleygreen

" Wisdom of the Past, Food of the Future "

 

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