5-HTP for Depression and Anxiety: Is it Effective and Safe?

Depression and anxiety occur together most of the time, and they remain to be the most prevalent emotional health problems today.

Mt. Maunganui, New Zealand (prHWY.com) July 30, 2012 - Depression and anxiety occur together most of the time, and they remain to be the most prevalent emotional health problems today. 5-Hydroxytryptophan or simply 5-HTP, a natural compound produced by the body is suggested to reverse both depression and anxiety with its purported benefits on brain chemistry. This is why many are asking, is 5-HTP for depression and anxiety effective and safe?

According to experts, 5-HTP benefits for depression and anxiety is rooted to its ability to stimulate adequate production of serotonin. It serves as a precursor to serotonin, or is involved in the chemical processes involved in manufacturing serotonin. Serotonin is one of the neurotransmitters or chemicals in the brain needed by the nerve cells to produce an impulse. Serotonin is responsible for regulating mood, behaviour, appetite, sleep periods, and impulse control. So how does this relate to depression and anxiety? People who are diagnosed with clinical depression and anxiety are deficient in serotonin. The goal of antidepressants called SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) is to increase serotonin available in the brain for healthy and elevated mood. People suffering from depression and anxiety can benefit from additional serotonin produced from high-quality 5-HTP supplements.

Although known to improve the signs and symptoms of depression, antidepressants produce negative side effects. There's a long list of antidepressant side effects that includes sedation, dry mouth, urinary retention, constipation, blurred vision, loss of libido, weight gain, headache, and abdominal pain. Side effects of synthetic depression medications are the main reasons why patients hesitate to undergo or stop the course of treatment. SSRIs like Prozac, Zoloft, Luvox, and Celexa are strictly not recommended to be taken with Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) to prevent a fatal condition called Serotonin Syndrome. Serotonin Syndrome is a condition where there is toxic level of serotonin in the brain causing severe neurologic symptoms and even death. Although overdose of antidepressants usually makes them more effective, it increases the risk for suicide and self-harm. The good news is that, natural 5-HTP antidepressants do not produce all of these. 5-HTP too has side effects, but they are a lot milder. Reported 5-HTP side effects include headache, nausea, nasal congestion, constipation, and stomach upset. 5-HTP Supplements are the safe and natural alternative for patients worried about the side effects of synthetic antidepressants.

Serotonin replenishment has been proven to improve the symptoms of depression. Clearly, there are different ways of providing additional serotonin through 5-HTP. Eating foods rich in the amino acid tryptophan like poultry, fish, chicken, beef, and dairy products may supply more 5-HTP. 5-HTP supplements formulated from Griffonia simplicifolia seeds provide standardized 5-HTP in tablets and capsule forms.

Log on http://www.tasmanhealth.co.nz/ for more details.




Tasman Health
517 Maunganui Rd.
Mt. Maunganui 3116
64 75758538

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Tag Words: 5htp benefits, 5htp, depression, tryptophan, 5htp supplements, anxiety

Categories: Health

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