With such a huge variety of different diets, exercise programs, and supplements available these days, it can really be difficult to figure out which ones are worth investing your time and money into.
In light of this, if someone were to come to you and tell you that you could make your weight loss efforts far easier and less stressful just by taking a simple supplement, you could hardly be faulted for remaining sceptical!
If this sounds like you then you might be in for a surprise because there actually is a natural supplement that you can take to regulate your serotonin levels naturally, keep stress at bay, and generally help with losing weight.
In this article we’re going to take a close look at exactly what 5-HTP is before moving onto some of the scientific data that proves just how effective it can be.
Enter 5-HTP
5-Hydroxytryptophan or 5-HTP is an amino acid which occurs naturally within the human body, acting as a precursor to neurotransmitters such as serotonin, melatonin, and tryptophan, all of which are closely related to mood in general, appetite regulation, and stress management
Because of this, you can typically find 5-HTP being marketed with some of the following benefits:
- Antidepressant effects
- Appetite suppression
- Sleep aid
- Stress relief
Of course all of the above benefits are linked to more or less the same aforementioned neurotransmitters.
If we consider the effects that the stress of daily life can have on us, from sleep disturbances to junk food cravings and emotional eating, we can very quickly begin to see how 5-HTP can make an extremely beneficial addition to our fat loss arsenal.
5-HTP, Stress, and Appetite Suppression
One study published in the Journal of Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior set out to look at the effects of 5-HTP in rats who had undergone stress and food deprivation.
Although we are hardly akin to half-starved rats, those of us who are stuck in the rat race while trying to lose weight are likely to encounter our fair share of stress on a daily basis, so as we’re about to see, 5-HTP definitely has some application in this context[2]!
The trial begins by explaining that, “[we] have examined the effect of 5-HTP on food consumption and tissue 5-HTP levels among rats subjected to two different hyperphagic stimuli, food deprivation and a standardized stress (tail pinch), and on plasma 5-HTP levels in humans.”
[Emphasis added]Both the rats and humans showed a “significant increase” in serum 5-HTP levels, and the researchers concluded with the following statement: “These observations suggest that 5-HTP may be useful in controlling the excessive food intake sometimes generated by stress, even if given without decarboxylase inhibitors or other drugs.”
[Emphasis added]This certainly strengthens the case for 5-HTP in preventing the stress-related junk food binges that we have all succumbed to from time to time.
Strengthening the Case for 5-HTP
Before relying too heavily on data sourced from studies of stressed animals, let’s take a look at a slightly different group of subjects.
The next study we’re going to look at was published in the International Journal of Obesity and Related Metabolic Disorders: Journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesity in 1998[3].
The study, entitled Effects of oral 5-hydroxy-tryptophan on energy intake and macronutrient selection in non-insulin dependent diabetic patients was tasked with evaluating the effects on diabetic outpatients who were not dependent on insulin for management of their symptoms.
A total of 20 subjects were used, with nine being administered with 750mg per day of 5-HTP and the remaining 11 being given a placebo. As you might have guessed, the subjects given the 5-HTP again saw a significant decrease in their daily energy intake, namely through the reduction of carbohydrate and fat consumption.
The result for the 5-HTP group was an overall reduction in body weight.
The study concludes with the following: “These data confirm the role of the serotonergic system in reducing energy intake, by predominantly inhibiting carbohydrate intake, and suggest that 5-HTP may be safely utilized to improve the compliance to dietary prescriptions in non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus.”
Conclusion: How to Use 5-HTP
As we have seen, 5-HTP is effective in improving dietary adherence at doses of 750mg per day, however benefits in this context have been seen with amounts as low as 200 – 300mg so it might be a good idea to begin at the lower end of the dosage spectrum to avoid feeling drowsy throughout the day.
Furthermore, if you do find yourself using a daily dose of over 300mg each day then it would be wise to split this up into a few smaller doses, again, to avoid feelings of drowsiness.
This is particularly advisable for those of you who drive a vehicle or operate heavy machinery.
Our 5-HTP supplement makes it incredibly easy for you to gradually work your way up to a higher dosage as it comes in capsule form providing 100mg per capsule.
We pride ourselves on using nothing but the highest-grade, naturally sourced, non-GMO ingredients in 5-HTP, with no use of unnecessary chemical fillers, binding, or other low-quality ingredients.
Available in bottles containing 90 capsules, 5-HTP provides a one-month supply for those of you using three capsules per day, and if you purchase two or three bottles in a single order then you can also benefit from a discounted price.
Place your order today and begin enjoying the benefits of reduced cravings, improved mood, and a far smoother ride on your weight loss journey!
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5-Hydroxytryptophan [2] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14724051 [3] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9705024
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