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Healthy Origins® 5-HTP is a naturally occuring standardized
extract of Griffonia simplicifolia containing greater than 99% pure 5-hydroxytryptophan
(5-HTP). Extracts of Griffonia simplicifolia have been used traditionally in
Aftican medicine to inhibit diarrhea, vomiting and constipation, and as an aphrodisiac.
5-HTP is a precursor of serotonin (5-HT).
The diverse physiological funtions of serotonin in the body include actions
as a neurotransmitter, a regulator of smooth mscle function in the cardiovascular
and gastrointestinal system, and a regulator of platelet function. Serotonin
is involved in numerous central nervous system actions such as regulating mood,
sleep and appetite. In the gastrointestinal system, serotonin stimulates gastric
motility. Serotonin also stimulates platelet aggregation.
As a precursor of serotonin, 5-HTP helps to normalize serotonin
activity in the body. Considerable research has been conducted regarding the
activity of 5-HTP. Some of the clinical studies are summarized below:
MOOD - Dysregulation of serotonin metabolism in the central
nervous system has been shown to affect mood. 5-HTP helps to normalize serotonin
levels and, thereby positively affect mood. In a double-blind study using objective
assessments of mood, researchers in Zurich reported significant improvements
in mood with 5-HTP. 1 Likewise, in a double-blind, multi-center study in Germany,
researchers reported significant improvements in both objective and self-assessment
indices of mood. 2
SLEEP - Many studies have shown that depletion of serotonin
results in insomnia, which is reversed by administration of 5-HTP. Likewise,
Soulairac and Lambinet3 reported that 100mg of 5-HTP resulted in significant
improvement for people who complained of trouble sleeping. Furthermore, serotonin
is metabolized to the hormone melatonin, which is known to help regulate the
sleep cycle, by increasing serotonin levels with 5-HTP, melatonin levels are
also increased.
APPETITE - Food intake is thought to suppress appetite through
the production of serotonin from the amino acid tryptophan. Because it is an
intermediary in the conversion process of tryptophan to serotonin, 5-HTP may
reduce appetite in a similar manner as food intake, but without the calories.
In a recent double-blind, placebo-controlled study, subjects taking 5-HTP lost
significant weight compared to control subjects. A reduction in carbohydrate
intake and early satiety were seen in the 5-HTP group.4
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