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5-Hydroxytryptophan Weight Loss

5-Hydroxytryptophan, an amino acid, is a key ingredient in many antidepressant and appetite-suppressing nutritional supplements. While there is still limited data available regarding 5-hydroxytryptophan's efficacy as an appetite suppressant or weight loss aid, the product is an increasingly popular choice for people seeking natural, stimulant-free weight loss. 5-Hydroxytryptophan is often abbreviated to 5-HTP by nutritionists and publications.

  1. Efficacy

    • According to a small 1989 study, patients who take 5-HTP supplements are less likely to overeat than patients who take a placebo. This reduction in food intake occurred even though the patients were not intentionally dieting. A second study, published three years later in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, found that people taking 5-HTP can lose 2-3% more weight than those taking a placebo. The effect is strongest in patients with obesity and binge-eating disorders, and most studies of 5-hydroxytryptophan have involved only adult females.

    Types

    • 5-Hydroxytryptophan is commonly sold as a dietary supplement in health food stores and pharmacies. While a similar compound, L-Tryptophan, is found in many foods, 5-HTP is not, and food-based tryptophan does not cause a noticeable increase in 5-hydroxytryptophan levels. Consumer products containing 5-HTP include drenbuterol (Dren), a weight loss supplement, as well as a number of mood-balancing formulas. Instant-release and timed-release forms of 5-HTP are readily available at most supplement stores.

    Safety

    • 5-Hydroxytryptophan is generally recognized as safe, but it is associated with some side effects and drug/supplement interactions. Nausea is the most common negative effects associated with the product, followed by heartburn and gas. In very high doses, 5-HTP can cause serotonin syndrome, a life-threatening condition. This condition can also occur in people taking 5-HTP with antidepressants, including SSRIs, MAOIs, and tricyclics. 5-HTP should not be used by women who are pregnant.

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