As a GP, hardly a day goes by when I
don’t see a patient in my surgery that is suffering from mild
depression.
It may therefore come as no surprise that I have been actively
looking for an alternative to prescription medicines such as
Prozac, but with fewer side effects. Some months ago, I decided to
contact Healthspan suggesting that they consider launching a 5-HTP
product with a number of other nutritional additions to improve its
effectiveness. Their new 5-HTP product is the result of this
collaboration.
5-HTP is a substance that is naturally produced in the body. It
can also be produced commercially by extracting it from the seeds
of the African plant Griffonia simplicifolia and has been used in
this form clinically for over 30 years. The clinical efficacy of
5-HTP is due to its ability to increase production of serotonin in
the brain. In the central nervous system, serotonin levels have
been implicated in the regulation of sleep, depression, anxiety,
aggression, appetite, temperature, sexual behaviour and pain
sensation.
For those readers with some clinical knowledge, 5-HTP is the
intermediate metabolite in the production of serotonin from
tryptophan. Absorption of 5-HTP from the gut does not require a
transport molecule and is therefore not affected by other amino
acids so it can be easily taken with meals.
Since the early 1970s at least fifteen studies have shown 5HTP
to be an effective anti-depressant. A large Swiss study in 1991 at
Basel University compared it with fluvoxamine (an SSRI - like
Prozac) and it was shown to be as effective and better
tolerated.
A Cochrane review in 2001 concluded that ‘in settings
where depression is mild, and the use of traditional
antidepressants is unacceptable to the patient, 5-HTP may be
considered as a treatment alternative’.
5-HTP is safe – it can be taken with other foods with no
interference. It is well absorbed from an oral dose (approx 70%
ending up in the blood stream) and easily crosses the blood brain
barrier into the central nervous system.
Therapeutic administration of 5-HTP has not only been used
effectively in treating depression, but also fibromyalgia
(characterised by general musculo-skeletal aching, multiple tender
points, fatigue, morning stiffness and sleep disturbances),
insomnia, binge eating associated with obesity, migraine and
chronic headaches. Although a number of other drugs have been shown
to be effective in migraine prevention, all have significant side
effects. 5-HTP in contrast is very safe.
5-HTP should not be confused with the essential amino acid
L-Tryptophan (LT) which is currently available only on
prescription.
INTERACTIONS
Prescription antidepressants – either SSRI or MAOI drugs
can cause serotonin syndrome characterised by confusion, agitation,
rapid heartbeat, sweating and changes in blood pressure. Should
this be suspected, 5-HTP and any other antidepressants should be
stopped immediately. Because of the possibility of serotonin
syndrome, 5-HTP should not be used with SSRI or MAOI drugs without
medical supervision. It should also not be taken during pregnancy
or lactation. There are no known adverse reactions when taken with
St John’s Wort.
This is general advice on 5HTP only and is not a
substitute for any clinical advice given by a doctor to an
individual.
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