Is 5-HTP safe to take everyday?

Are you wondering if 5-HTP safe to take everyday?

According to studies, 5-HTP is safe to take everyday for up to a year. However, it may be best to limit usage to help prevent developing side effects. Keep in mind that there is no FDA-approved dosage amount. So although 5-HTP is very helpful to many people, keep in mind that there’s still more research that needs to be done.

WHAT IS 5-HTP?

5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan or oxitriptan) is an amino acid your body naturally produces. It can be converted from tryptophan that the body acquires from foods, and it helps boosts serotonin within the body.

As a nutritional supplement, 5-HTP is most often derived from a natural source – a seed from an African plant (Griffonia simplicifolia).

5-HTP is used primarily to increase serotonin levels in the brain. Low levels of serotonin in the brain make people feel anxious, more emotional, hungry, craving carbohydrates, and have poor quality of sleep. Obviously, this affects many people today. Fortunately, a lot of studies have shown that 5-HTP produces the best results in helping those with low serotonin levels.

How does tryptophan compare to 5-HTP?

Tryptophan is an essential amino acid that synthesizes 5-HTP and can only be obtained by eating the right foods. This 5-HTP then converts into serotonin within the body. However, this serotonin is largely made in the intestines.

Since serotonin can’t cross the blood-brain barrier, this means that consuming tryptophan is much different than directly taking 5-HTP.

When you take 5-HTP directly (via supplementation), it’s able to cross the blood-brain barrier much more easily. Which gets synthesized into serotonin and can more directly influence your brain.

While only 3% of an oral dose of L-tryptophan is converted to serotonin, in contrast, more than 70% of an oral dose of 5-HTP is converted to serotonin.

(Basically, take tryptophan if you want more serotonin for your gut. Otherwise, take 5-HTP if you want more serotonin for your brain.)

Here is a sample list of why tryptophan-to-5-HTP conversion can be impaired in some people:

• High cortisol (stress)
• Insulin resistance
• Poor blood sugar
• Lacking in key nutrients (vitamin B6, magnesium, etc.)

IS 5-HTP SAFE TO TAKE EVERYDAY?

Can you take 5-HTP daily?

5-HTP can cause stomach irritation and nausea, so it’s best you use enteric-coated tablets or capsules. These pills are prepared in such a way that they do not dissolve in the stomach. When 5-HTP is used for purposes other than to help you sleep at night, the starting dose is 50 mg three times a day. If the response is not sufficient after two weeks, the dose can be increased to 100 mg three times a day.

When 5-HTP is used to promote a good night’s sleep, the usual dose is 50 to 150 mg a half hour before retiring. It is best to start with the 50 mg dose for at least three days before increasing the dose. 5-HTP can be taken with food.

Is 5-HTP safe for long-term use?

Some experts recommend monitoring by testing eosinophils regularly (every year) if 5-HTP is used for long periods of time. This determination is part of a standard laboratory blood test known as a complete blood count (CBC) and helps detect any abnormal reactions to 5-HTP.