How To Take 5-HTP To Get The Most Benefits
When it comes to taking supplements, there is a huge selection out there. Some natural, some man-made — but they all have the same goal: to help our body work better and eventually make us look better.
5-HTP is chemical naturally made by our body, so, supplementing correctly can help us achieve better results. In this article, we will examine how to take 5-htp where we can get the most benefits from it.
What is 5-HTP?
The first thing everybody needs to know about 5-HTP is that it has not been cleared by the FDA yet, meaning any results or tests you see have not been independently tested and could be biased and false. However, 5-HTP is a supplement that can work for a variety of mental and immune system health problems, as well as weight loss.
The drug is not actually human engineered, but does regularly occur in the chemical processes of our body. It is a building block of serotonin which helps it interact with the brain. Though it is a naturally occurring substance in your body, do not replace a prescription your doctor has given you for this product.
What does it do?
The supplement can help solve some mental health issues as well as a variety of immune system problems and can even help with people who are struggling to lose weight. Let’s take a deeper look at some of these results.
Weight Loss
Most of the theories surrounding this product and weight loss are anecdotal and not supported by certified research as of the moment. 5-HTP interacts with various parts of the brain, which could be causing weight loss.
Most people reading this article are probably hoping that it just interacts in such a way that your appetite is decreased or suppressed. However, it can also be just a placebo and a motivator.
We all know that anytime money is invested into a problem, we work harder to make that problem go away. By purchasing the 5-HTP, you could simply be tricking yourself into working harder to develop a healthier lifestyle.
Anxiety and Depression
Scientists have essentially proven that low serotonin levels cause both depression and anxiety. This is due to what serotonin does in the human body.
Serotonin is the body’s mood-enhancer, the chemical that makes us feel happier and giddier than before. So, scientists and doctors have begun experimenting with the application of 5-HTP to patients suffering from anxiety or depression, but nothing has been officially decided or proven as of now. But, if you consult your doctor and discuss the potential, you may be able to test the theory and have the safety of your doctor’s observations to fall back on.
Is 5-HTP safe for me to take?
Of course, no drug is completely safe to take without the potential of some side effects. We’ll get to those in a bit, but first, for the most part, this supplement is safe to take. Again, it is a naturally occurring chemical in the human body, you are essentially just adding to your current levels to regulate what is happening in the body. Doctors do have a few warning to people who are thinking about taking this supplement. They strongly suggest that anyone with kidney disease, peptic ulcers, and Down Syndrome consult them before starting on a schedule of taking 5-HTP.
They also caution expecting mothers and new mothers to be careful of the use of 5-HTP. They are especially worried about breastfeeding mothers, and have strongly discouraged them from taking the supplement until they are finished with the breastfeeding stage of motherhood.
What are the side effects of this supplement?
As with any supplement, there are side effects that range from easily managed to serious concern. Among the easily managed side effects are:
• Heartburn
• Gas
• Bloating
• Stomach discomfort or pain
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Lack of appetite
If you were to experience any of these side effects while on the supplement, it is strongly suggested that you stop using the supplement and speak to a doctor or medical representative to figure out what the problem is.
The two more serious problems that can sprout from taking 5-HTP are not effects that occur immediately, but rather they form and happen over a longer range of time. The first issue is what is known as Eosinophilia myalgia syndrome, which causes sudden, severe muscle pain, cramping, swelling, and trouble breathing. This condition is rather rare for those who take this supplement, but it doesn’t present itself until several months after the user has begun taking the supplement, making tracking the causes for the syndrome a little more difficult.
The second issue is asymptomatic eosinophilia, which is a blood disorder that spikes the number of white blood cells that are present in the user’s blood. And, since it has something to do with blood cell count, it is generally a symptom that can only be detected through blood work in a laboratory, which means you won’t know that you are having a problem until it is “accidentally detected.” This is a little scary as far as doctors are concerned, and should be a key factor in anyone taking the supplement talking to their doctor before using, or continuing their use of 5-HTP.
So should I take it?
What this all amounts to is that, generally speaking, you are safe to use 5-HTP.
However, it will be safer if you consult with a doctor to make sure that your body is ready to handle it’s introduction. It is usually recommended that the person taking the drug takes a 100mg-600mg dosage of 5-HTP once per day.
When you start taking the supplement, you may experience weight loss or you may experience a change in your mood in the positive direction through the increased levels of serotonin.
5-HTP will be tested and eventually acknowledged by the FDA, but that acknowledgment may change the form it comes in or the dosage that it comes in.
For now, make sure to take care of yourself and include your medical professionals in your decision to use or not use 5-HTP.
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