Anti-aging Therapies: 5HTP or 5-hydroxy-tryptophan

 

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Anti-Aging Therapies: 5HTP or 5-hydroxy-tryptophan

5-HTP is the precise precursor of serotonin. This is often used in the place of SSRI drugs and L-Tryptophan and may help in serotonin deficiency related conditions such as severe depression, epilepsy, anxiety, insomnia, weight loss and addiction. Also studied for PMS, migraine and chronic tension headaches. 5-HTP comes from an extract of Griffonia simplicifolia . Used traditionally in African medicine to inhibit diarrhea, vomiting and constipation, and as an aphrodisiac. The extraction process uses alcohol and produces an oily solid. The oily extract is then purified into a dry solid. 5-HTP can also be made synthetically in the laboratory. The final product is the same as the one made by the body.

Tryptophan is an essential amino acid that must be taken in through protein containing foods since the body can not synthesize it. Of the eight essential amino acids, tryptophan is the least common, accounting for only about one percent of protein content, and it is used up rapidly by the body. About ninety-percent is used in protein synthesis. The rest is divided between serotonin production and niacin production, which requires 60mg for every 1mg of niacin produced. However, 5-HTP is only used in serotonin production. 5- hydroxytryptophan is also able to pass through the blood-brain barrier easily, unlike tryptophan, which can only pass through the barrier by using the same transport molecule that carries leucine, isoleucine, and valine.

Considerable research has been conducted on the activity of 5-HTP which includes:

Mood enhancer: Dysregulation of serotonin metabolism in the central nervous system has been shown to affect mood. 5-HTP helps to normalize serotonin levels and thus positively affect mood. In a double-blind study using objective assessments of mood, researchers in Zurich reported significant improvements in mood with 5-HTP. (Psychopathology 24:53-81, 1991)

In a separate double-blind, multi-center study in Germany, researchers reported significant improvements in both objective and self-assessment indices of mood. (Arch Psychiat Nervenkr 224:175-186, 1977)

Sleep: Many studies have shown that depletion of serotonin results in insomnia, which is reversed by administration of 5-HTP. Soulairac and Lambient reported that 100 mg of 5-HTP resulted in significant improvement for people who complained of trouble sleeping (Ann Med Pychol 135:792-798, 1977). As serotonin is metabolized to the hormone melatonin, another way of increasing melatonin is through administering 5-HTP. Melatonin is known to help regulate the sleep cycle.

Appetite: Food intake is thought to suppress appetite through the production of serotonin from the amino acid tryptophan. Because it is an intermediary in the conversion process of tryptophan to serotonin, 5-HTP may reduce appetite in a similar manner as food intake, but without the calories. In a recent double-blind, placebo-controlled study, subjects taking 5-HTP lost significant weight compared to control subjects. A reduction in carbohydrate intake and early satiety were seen in the 5-HTP group. (Am. Jrl. Clin. Nutr 56:863- 867, 1992)

Fibromyalgia: Studies show that 5-HTP enhances serotonin synthesis, which increases pain tolerance and sleep quality. Patients with fibromyalgia have reported an improvement in symptoms of depression, anxiety, insomnia, and somatic pain (number of painful areas and morning stiffness).

Seasonal Affective Disorder: Serotonin production increases with light, meaning the darker the day is, it is not utilizing seratonin into action. Some symptoms include depression, marathon napping, low self-esteem, obsessiveness over little things, irritability, shyness, and panic attacks. People with seasonal affective disorder may also sleep poorly (although for many hours), partly because they don't have enough serotonin to convert to the sleep substance melatonin.

Symptoms can range from mild to severe, and people generally recover completely around April or May - once the days become longer. I always recommend light therapy first and then supplementation. However, there are things you can do yourself that can help boost serotonin levels.

*Subject yourself to bright indoor light. This is the key to seasonal affective disorder treatment. A 300 watt bulb within three feet for 20 minutes three times a day can help, although the boost in serotonin may be temporary.

*Exercise. This is very hard to do when caught up in the seasonal affective disorder cycle. But if you can force yourself to start, 15 to 20 minutes of dancing to the radio or fast walking can reduce a sweet tooth and improve mood.

*Eat wisely. This means, pushing away the leftover cake and eating sensible carbs to stimulate serotonin. Sweets and simple carbs, like white rice and white bread, quickly raise blood sugar, flood you with insulin, and then drop you in a hole. Eating wisely also means watching the caffeine, which suppresses serotonin. If you must drink coffee, save it for after the meal.

*Protein should be eaten three times a day. Another good rule is to eat four cups of brightly colored veggies a day. Vegetables are carbs, but the kind that work into your system slowly.

*Vitamin B-6 helps convert 5-hydroxy-tryptophan (5HTP) into the mood chemical serotonin, and it also helps in making dopamine. Aim for roughly 2 to 10 milligrams a day if you supplement. B-6-rich foods include bell peppers, cranberries, turnip greens, cauliflower, garlic, tuna, mustard greens, and kale. 5HTP standard dosage ranges between 50-100 mg.

Side Effects

Rare side effects are generally mild and include mild nausea, heartburn, flatulence, feelings of fullness, and rumbling sensations. These side effects are often reduced after extended treatment (four to six weeks).

Drug Interactions

A case of scleroderma-like (hardening of the skin) illness has been reported in a patient taking L-5-hydroxytryptophan and carbidopa (medication often used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease). An earlier case reported a similar interaction between carbidopa and 5-HTP. This interaction may be due to an alteration in tryptophan metabolism. More research is needed but it is advisable to avoid 5-Hydroxytryptophan if you are currently taking carbidopa.

Individuals taking antidepressant drugs, including MAOIs (such as Nardil or Parnate) and selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (such as: Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft) should consult with their physician before taking 5-HTP.

Vitamin D: Are You Getting Enough Sun Exposure

 

Vitamin D: Are You Getting Enough Sun Exposure
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Fifty percent of women around the world are at risk of having weak and soft bones, which can potentially lead to deformed legs. This condition is known as "rickets" in children, and "osteomalacia" in adults. The primary cause of this disease is vitamin D deficiency.

Have you seen the animated series "Heidi, Girl of the Alps", which was based on a popular children's story "Heidi"? In the story, Heidi's friend named Clara was also suffering from weak muscles and rickets. She eventually became stronger after being with Heidi for sometime in the mountains. She was cured by getting exposed to sunshine and goat's milk!

## Vitamin D Deficiency and Rickets Cases is On the Increase Worldwide

Rickets is more prevalent in girls than in boys. At present, new reports show that there is definitely a widespread case of vitamin D deficiency phenomenon. If left untreated, muscle weakness, and bone and leg deformity may occur. There is also a risk of getting bedridden.

## How to Treat Vitamin D Deficiency

Remember the old adage "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure"? Since rickets is predominantly caused by vitamin D deficiency, I bet that you already know the corresponding remedy. Yes, that's right. Vitamin D deficiency can be treated simply by getting adequate exposure to sunlight, which sometimes called "sunshine vitamin"!

## Can You Only Get Vitamin D from the Sun?

Eating foods rich in vitamin D, taking vitamin D supplements, or drinking milk, juices, and other beverages fortified with vitamin D, are the other major sources of vitamin D, which can prove helpful especially in the winter.

During the summer, though, sunlight exposure is still the best way to get vitamin D.

In just 10 to 15 minutes of sun exposure every day, your body is capable of converting the sunlight to considerable amount of vitamin D.

Later in this article, we'll let you know how you can have sun exposure without the risk of sunburn, wrinkles, and freckles.

## Is Your Baby at Risk of Vitamin D Deficiency and Rickets?

Actually, babies seldom need vitamin D supplements. Babies who need these supplements need them mainly because of insufficient sun exposure.

Below are the three main factors that can put your baby at risk of developing rickets:

1. Breast-fed babies whose mothers are exposed to very little sunlight or are not exposed to sunlight. Remember, the amount of vitamin D in breastmilk depends on the mother's vitamin D status. If the mother has no adequate sunlight exposure or is not consuming supplements or foods containing vitamin D, then the baby needs to get enough sun exposure.

2. Mother and baby have dark skin. People with darker skin pigmentation will usually require up to five times more sun exposure than those with lighter skin to get the same amount of vitamin D.

3. Baby cannot get sun exposure. This happens if you live in far northern latitudes, where solar radiation is quite weak throughout the year.

## The Secret Cure is in the Palm of Your Hands

"I'm afraid of getting sunburnt, wrinkles, and freckles, from sunlight exposure. What should I do?"

It is not necessary for you to stay under the sunlight until your skin burns to get the necessary supply of vitamin D per day.

According to our studies, it is not even necessary for you to expose your entire body to the sunlight (ultraviolet rays). In fact, each exposure can only last 15-30 minutes, all by just exposing the palm of your hands.

Yes, you read that right. Exposing only the palm of your hands for 15 minutes to 30 minutes to the sunbeam will give enough energy to your body to produce vitamin D!

By doing this, your body can absorb vitamin D much more effectively while protecting your face and skin at the same time.

Of course, you should not use any sunscreen or sunblock cream as these will only disrupt vitamin D synthesis.

Alternatively, you can buy an ultraviolet ray bulb, and you can expose the light directly to your palm. This method is very helpful especially for elderly people.

I'm pretty sure you've never heard of this technique before. You should be lucky today after reading this article.

In addition, we also recommend you to take vitamin D-rich foods, too such as:

- Tuna fish
- Mackerel
- Dried whitebait
- Dried mushrooms
- Enokitake (golden needle mushroom)

Getting adequate sunlight exposure and eating vitamin D-rich foods together with the PYRO-ENERGEN therapy will make you free from various diseases and conditions.

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About the Author:
Junji Takano is a Japanese health researcher involved in electromedicine. In 1968, he invented PYRO-ENERGEN, the only electrostatic therapy machine that effectively eradicates viral diseases, cancer, and diseases of unknown cause.
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Recipes: Lemon/Pepper Water for Arthritis

 

The GREAT alternative remedy for arthritis of the knee joint is:

Juice of a ripe lime with water, (and, if desired, sugar to tase,) with a pinch of freshly powdered pepper added, taken every morning.

Regards,
A. Ismail Sait.