Serotonin a la carte: Supplementation with the serotonin precursor 5-hydroxytryptophan
by
Turner EH, Loftis JM, Blackwell AD.
Mood Disorders Center, Portland VA Medical Center, Portland, OR, United States; Department of Psychiatry, Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU), Portland, OR, United States; Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, OHSU, United States.
Pharmacol Ther. 2005 Jul 13

ABSTRACT

This paper reviews the preclinical and clinical evidence regarding the use of the dietary supplement 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) for the treatment of depression. In the absence of supplementation with exogenous 5-HTP, the amount of endogenous 5-HTP available for serotonin synthesis depends on the availability of tryptophan and on the activity of various enzymes, especially tryptophan hydroxylase, indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase, and tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO). Factors affecting each of these are reviewed. The amount of 5-HTP reaching the central nervous system (CNS) is affected by the extent to which 5-HTP is converted to serotonin in the periphery. This conversion is controlled by the enzyme amino acid decarboxylase, which, in the periphery, can be blocked by peripheral decarboxylase inhibitors (PDIs) such as carbidopa. Preclinical and clinical evidence for the efficacy of 5-HTP for depression is reviewed, with emphasis on double-blind, placebo-controlled (DB-PC) trials. Safety issues with 5-HTP are also reviewed, with emphasis on eosinophilia myalgia syndrome (EMS) and serotonin syndrome.

SAD
Insomnia
Serotonin
Headaches
Tryptophan
Mood foods
Fibromyalgia
5-HTP and corticosteroid receptors
5-HTP and l-tryptophan as antidepressants
Tryptophan depletion and un-cooperative behaviour

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