Effective Dosage: There is currently no clinical evidence that 5-HTP is effective as a weight loss supplement at any dosage. Some sources suggest that 5 HTP can be safely used as a nutritional supplement at a dosage of up to 100 milligrams (mg) per day. Some authorities maintain that much larger dosages can be consumed without adverse effects.
5-HTP is a derivative of the amino acid tryptophan (a hydroxyl group added to the 5-position). In the body, tryptophan is converted into 5-HTP, which then can be converted into serotonin (a potent neurotransmitter in the brain). Although 5-HTP is not found at any significant level in a normal diet, tryptophan is found in a wide variety of protein foods. The 5-HTP used in dietary supplements is derived from the seeds of an African plant, Griffonia simplicifolia.
5 HTP may aid in weight loss and improve sleep patterns for some individuals. Research suggests that good serotonin levels may reduce appetite thereby assisting in weight loss. Serotonin is converted into melatonin in the pineal gland and melatonin, in turn, regulates sleep cycles. The theory is that if 5 HTP can increase serotonin levels, it may be able to improve sleep and aid in weight loss. In the medical articles reviewed, positive results have been reported but the authors caution that more research is needed before claims can be made.
The most significant safety concern related to 5-HTP supplements is the remote possibility for contamination with a compound linked to a disorder known as eosinophilic myalgia syndrome (EMS). Several years ago (1989), an outbreak of EMS (which results in muscle pain and weakness, vomiting, headache and in rare cases, death) was linked to contaminated tryptophan supplements (not to the tryptophan per se, but to a contaminant in the tryptophan supplements). As a result, the FDA banned the sale of all tryptophan supplements (a move that has been widely criticized by people on both sides of the supplement debate). In some rare cases, 5-HTP supplements have been linked (anecdotally) to gastrointestinal distress, muscle pain, lethargy and headaches.
The banned tryptophan supplements were manufactured from a bacterial source (fermentation process), while 5-HTP is extracted from the seeds of a plant – so it is less likely (though not impossible) that the contaminant associated with EMS is present in 5-HTP supplements (commonly known as “peak X”). However, the FDA issued a “talk paper” in 1998 which seemed to confirm the presence of “peak X” at low levels in several commercially available brands of 5-HTP – raising the possibility that EMS could strike those taking 5-HTP supplements (see FDA statement below). Although the FDA has not taken any action, such as removing 5-HTP from the market or issuing any precautions against using 5-HTP, anybody considering using this supplement should use a brand from a reputable company (such as the Serotain brand of 5-HTP from Triarco). Some supplement manufacturers and raw material suppliers conduct quality control tests to confirm the absence of “peak X” in their 5-HTP supplements. If you decide to try 5-HTP, we suggest contacting the manufacturer of your supplement for confirmation that their products have passed this type of analysis.
In addition to the above safety considerations, 5-HTP supplements are not recommended for children or for women who are pregnant or lactating. Those individuals currently taking prescription antidepressants, weight control medications or herbal remedies for depression (such as St. John’s wort) should not combine these treatments with 5-HTP supplements (except on the advice and guidance of a nutritionally-oriented physician).
These statements about 5-HTP have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. 5-HTP are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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