5-HTP For Depression
While
some people find help for symptoms
of
depression by taking prescription depression medications, others are
looking
for natural, inexpensive cures for depression. Fortunately, many people
are able to
significantly reduce or even
eliminate symptoms of depression through natural depression
supplements. Of course,
it is important to consult with a
medical professional, but there are growing numbers of M.D.s and
natural paths
that are supportive of alternative treatments for depression, including
taking 5-HTP.
5-HTP,
which is found naturally in
certain foods like turkey and cheese, is an herbal supplement growing
in popularity. It is usually derived from Griffonia
Simplicifolia
plant seeds. Usage
of 5-HTP for depression increased when L-tryptophan, a related
seratonin-increasing supplement, was outlawed in North America
because of a tainted batch that led to serious side-effects in some
users. But fortunately, the natural supplement 5-HTP has several
advantages over L-tryptophan: In addition to being safer to
produce, some studies suggest it is more effective. The supplement
5-HTP is usually sold in gelatin capsules which typically
contain a dose of between 50mg and 100mg of 5-HTP. If you are
considering trying 5-HTP for depression, the most important thing is to
read and research from different information sources and consult with a
medical professional.
Research of 5-HTP as a natural
treatment for depression
Early
research suggests that the natural supplement 5-HTP may be
effective in treating depression, anxiety, panic disorders, anxious
depressive syndrome, sleep disorders and obesity. A survey of all
clinical research on 5-HTP indicates that is approximately as effective
as FDA accepted SSRI's, and may be as effective as one of the most
popular natural treatments for depression, Saint Johns Wort. However
much more research
is needed
to solidify that 5-HTP is an effective, natural treatment for
depression.
Recommended Dosage of 5-HTP for
Depression
Though there is
no official dosage,
most supplement providers recommend 50mg to 100mg of 5-HTP per day for
treating
depression. Some recommend taking 5-HTP before bed because it can cause
drowsiness. Some state you should not exceed a dose of 300mg 5-HTP
within a 24-hour period due to
the danger of elevated seratonin levels in the brain, which can lead to
seratonin syndrome.
Side Effects
Promoters of
5-HTP as a natural,
depression treatment claim that it causes fewer side effects than
traditional
antidepressants. Side effects of 5-HTP may include nausea,
constipation, gas,
drowsiness, or a decreased sex drive. It can also have adverse
interactions
with other natural and traditional drugs. Some argue that the long term
effects of 5-HTP are not known, and point out that people using any
psychiatric
drug, natural or otherwise, should be under a doctor's supervision..
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