Product description
5-HTP Plus Formula de Douglas Laboratories
5-HTP Plus Formula capsules, provided by Douglas Laboratories, contain 75 mg of natural L-5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) extracted from seeds of the Griffonia plant, together with 7.5 mg of pyridoxal-5-phosphate and 50 mg of a proprietary blend of the neurotransmitters L-tyrosine and L-glutamine.
This product has been certified to be free of a contaminant, peak "x", implicated in a past incidence of dietary tryptophan-associated eosinophilia myalgia syndrome (EMS).
What does Healthy Heart do?
Serotonin, an important brain neurotransmitter, is key in the regulation of appetite, mood, and melatonin production. The presence of serotonin in the brain is associated with a balanced emotional state. This is achieved in part by decreasing the activity of certain excitatory hormones, including dopamine and noradrenaline. Serotonin also acts as a satiety signal in the brain, thereby naturally regulating food intake. Additionally, as a precursor of melatonin, serotonin is involved in regulating sleep patterns. Serotonin is unable to cross the blood-brain barrier and is therefore synthesized in the brain. Tryptophan, an essential amino acid, is a precursor for the synthesis of serotonin. Tryptophan crosses the blood-brain barrier and is converted to L-5-hydroxytryptophan, which in turn is converted into serotonin. Unfortunately, tryptophan faces many obstacles during its journey into brain tissue. First, dietary intake directly affects body levels of tryptophan, as the body can not endogenously produce it. High protein diets often provide greater amounts of tryptophan, yet higher carbohydrate diets appear to enhance tryptophan uptake into the brain. Secondly, tryptophan must compete with other amino acids for entry into the brain. Finally, tryptophan may be taken up by other tissues for protein or niacin synthesis, and thus is not exclusively for use by the brain. As a metabolic intermediate in the conversion of tryptophan into serotonin, 5-HTP can also serve as a precursor of serotonin. 5-HTP offers a number of advantages over tryptophan. 5-HTP is derived naturally from the seeds of the Griffonia plant, unlike tryptophan which is produced synthetically or through bacterial fermentation. 5-HTP crosses into the brain more readily than tryptophan as it is able to cross the blood-brain barrier without competition for uptake. 5-HTP is significantly more effective than tryptophan; one 50 mg capsule of 5-HTP is roughly equivalent to 500 mg of tryptophan. Finally, research studies have shown 5-HTP to be safe at levels as high as 900 mg. As a result, 5-HTP is a safe and effective means of increasing brain serotonin levels.
Who should use Healthy Hearth?
5-HTP Plus Formula capsules may be a useful nutritional supplement for individuals wishing to obtain the benefits of this well-documented plant extract to increase their levels of brain serotonin.
Helps to promote healthy mood balance.
Risk information
Do not use if you have scleroderma. Consult your healthcare practitioner prior to use if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, on a low protein diet, or taking carbidopa or drugs/supplements with serotonergic activity.
These may include, but are not limited to, L-tryptophan, S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe), St. John's wort, antidepressants, pain killers, over the counter cough and cold medication containing dextromethorphan,
anti-nausea medication and anti-migraine medication.
Consult your healthcare practitioner if symptoms persist or worsen.
Discontinue use and consult your healthcare practitioner if you show signs of weakness, oral ulcers, or abdominal pain accompanied by severe muscle pain, or if you experience skin changes.
Some people may experience drowsiness, diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Exercise caution if operating heavy machinery, driving a motor vehicle or involved in activities requiring mental alertness.
Do not use if the seal is broken or missing. Store in a cool, dry place.
Ingredients
Each Capsule Contains
L-5-HTP (L-5-hydroxytryptophan from Griffonia simplicifolia seed) 75 mg
L-Tyrosine 25 mg
L-Glutamine 25 mg
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxal-5-phosphate) 5.3 mg
Non-medicinal ingredients: Cellulose, hypromellose (capsule), silica.
Suggested Usage
Adults: Take 1 capsule 1-3 times daily with food or as directed by your healthcare practitioner.
To minimize the risk of gastrointestinal side effects, start dosing at 1 capsule twice per day and slowly increase to 1 capsule thrice daily.
Use for a minimum of 1 week to see beneficial effects.
Consult your healthcare practitioner for use beyond 1 year.