Doctor's Best, Best 5-HTP, 100 mg, 60 Veggie Caps

5-HTP (5-hydroxy L-tryptophan) is a naturally occurring metabolite of the amino acid tryptophan. 5-HTP is converted in the brain to serotonin, a neurotransmitter substance found at the junctions (synapses) between neurons. 5-HTP helps maintain mental and emotional well-being and promotes healthy sleep. Best 5-HTP is based on science-based nutrition and contains a compound extracted from the seeds of the Griffonia simplicifolia plant.

Benefits of 5-HTP

5-HTP functions as the precursor for serotonin, a monoamine neurotransmitter found in the central nervous system (CNS) and some cells of the digestive tract. In the body, 5-HTP is formed by the addition of a hydroxyl group (–OH) to tryptophan, a reaction catalyzed by the enzyme tryptophan hydroxylase. This enzyme can be hindered by stress and conditions such as vitamin B6 deficiency, which is one reason B6 is included in this formula. Additionally, pyridoxal phosphate (vitamin B6) is necessary for 5-HTP to be converted to serotonin. Vitamin C participates in the conversion of tryptophan to 5-HTP and of tyrosine to norepinephrine, another important neurotransmitter.

Synthesis of serotonin in the brain requires an adequate supply of either tryptophan or 5-HTP as precursors in the CNS. The supply of tryptophan available for conversion to 5-HTP depends on a number of factors, including the person’s overall health and the competition between tryptophan and other amino acids for transport across the blood-brain barrier. Whereas tryptophan may be sidetracked into the production of niacin or protein, 5-HTP readily crosses the blood-brain barrier and becomes available for serotonin synthesis. Therefore, supplementation with 5-HTP is a more direct route to serotonin production.

In contrast to tryptophan, orally consumed 5-HTP is readily absorbed by the mucosal cells of the gastrointestinal tract, with up to 70% then appearing in the bloodstream. The implications of possibly altering serotonin in this manner are significant: serotonergic neurons (nerve cells stimulated by serotonin) regulate sleep, appetite, nociception (the perception of pain), and aggressive behavior.

A synaptic serotonin deficit is hypothesized to be capable of a major adverse effect on your mood. Supplementation with 5-HTP may help balance your mood via an increase in serotonin synthesis. Best 5-HTP 100 mg may also promote relaxation and a feeling of calmness, which is necessary in today’s world. Additionally, pyridoxine deficiency may be related to fatigue.

Some also believe that 5-HTP can support satiety and healthy eating patterns. While serotonin is renowned for its functioning in the brain, 95% of serotonin is actually found in the gastrointestinal tract. Accordingly, serotonin is deeply involved in gut physiology, including visceral perception and weight maintenance. For example, feeling less stressed may lessen emotional eating.

Studies have shown that 5-HTP can positively influence the quality of sleep by increasing restorative REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. This can leave you feeling more energetic and less irritable during the day.

Finally, Doctor’s Best’s Best 5-HTP may serve as a potent scavenger of potentially harmful free radicals. Compounds such as vitamin E and flavonoids derive their free-radical quenching ability from their hydroxyl groups (–OH), which donate electrons to oxidants. 5-HTP is formed from tryptophan by the addition of an –OH group, which gives 5-HTP its antioxidant properties; this is in contrast to tryptophan, which is sensitive to oxidation. The effectiveness of 5-HTP in preventing lipid and protein oxidation is believed to support liver health, similar to vitamin C.

Each bottle of Best 5-HTP 100 mg by Doctor’s Best contains 60 vegetarian capsules.

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