Tuesday

Are You Under A Lot Of Stress? Do You Have Trouble Sleeping At Night?

By Addy Rochon


Given a boost by celebrities in recovery from depression such as Jim Carrey, 5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan) is once again the up-and-coming nutritional supplement for the treatment of depression. 5-HTP supplies the source of the amino acid tryptophan in a form that readily enters the brain. The human brain converts tryptophan into the key mood regulator serotonin.

What's the evidence for 5-HTP? Psychiatrists ran a research trial involving 60 people with mild to moderate depression compared 5-HTP against Luvox (fluvoxamine), an antidepressant in the same drug class as Prozac.

5-HTP is essential to overall health. It is used to treat many conditions like depression, obesity, carbohydrate craving, bulimia, insomnia, narcolepsy, sleep apnea, migraine, headaches, and fibromyalgia.

5 HTP as a Natural Option for Anxiety 5 HTP is currently used today in a number of areas to aid the production of serotonin in the body. It has been found very helpful in controlling anxiety and depression, as well as aiding sleep, tension headaches, fibromyalgia, Premenstrual syndrome symptoms and ADHD. Many prescription medications used today for these conditions work very similarly to the way 5 HTP does, assisting the body in upholding serotonin levels. Therefore, for those looking for a more natural alternative, 5 HTP anxiety supplements may be an answer.

To avoid adverse effects, it's a good idea to begin by taking a 50-milligram dose once or twice a day. Then slowly build up to a 100-milligram dose, but only after 3 or 4 weeks.

5 HTP can be used in conjunction with other natural supplements as well, though it is recommended to consult with a physician before starting or combining any medication or supplements. Some do find it possible to manage their anxiety with 5 HTP.

Where diet is concerned, carbohydrates are full of L-tryptophan, but there is more to it than simply eating a big bowl of pasta every time anxiety levels begin to rise. Actually, this is one of many causes of obesity and binge eating - the need for increased serotonin, which creates carbohydrate cravings; the problem is that most of us choose the wrong kinds of carbs.

Serotonin syndrome has never been observed from supplementation with 5-HTP, but as a precaution, avoid using 5-HTP if you take any prescription drugs for depression or migraine. People who have angina, uncontrolled high blood pressure, a rare form of migraine known as Prinzmetal's angina, or who have had a heart attack should also avoid 5-HTP.

There are reports that combining 5-HTP with the Parkinson's disease drug carbidopa can cause symptoms similar to those of the skin disease scleroderma. 5-HTP probably should not be combined with conventional antidepressants.

This does not mean you should stop your prescription antidepressant and put yourself on 5-HTP. Just the opposite: Almost all prescription medications for depression have to be tapered off gradually under your doctor's supervision. In the right circumnstances, however, 5-HTP might give your brain just the boost it needs to overcome depression and return to normal function.




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