Why
is serotonin so important?
Serotonin (also called 5-hydrotryptophan) is found in the cells of the brain and
intestine and in the platelets of our blood. When the walls of blood vessels are
damaged, serotonin is released from the platelets to constrict the blood vessel
and prevent hemorrhage. In the tissue of the intestine, it acts as a stimulant
to make the smooth muscle contract. Most people are probably most familiar with
serotonin as it acts in the brain - as a neurotransmitter that aids in the
transmission of nerve impulses between synapses. All of these functions make
serotonin very important to all of the body's systems. Serotonin deficiency has
been implicated in mood disorders, appetite control, premenstrual syndrome,
autism, eating disorders, fibromyalgia, appetite control, the pain phase of
migraine, and other conditions and disorders. Some serotonin is converted by our
pineal gland into melatonin, the hormone that controls our sleep cycle. Thus,
serotonin deficiency is also linked to insomnia and other sleep disorders.
Increasing
5-HTP Levels
Since eating foods that contain L-tryptophan won't significantly increase 5-HTP
levels, it is processed from the seeds of the Griffonia
Simplicifolia and marketed as a dietary supplement. The amounts of 5-HTP
recommended vary significantly depending upon the condition being treated.
Why
Check Before You Swallow?
There are a couple of factors at work with "headachers" and
supplements, including 5-HTP:
- Sometimes, we're so tired of the pain that we'll "try anything." Haven't we all said or thought that? When we're in pain and overwrought with it, we sometimes take risks that we might not if we were thinking more clearly.
- Then there's the "It's Natural" factor - "If it's 'natural,' it won't hurt anything." Don't you believe it. Everything interacts with everything else, and it can be good or bad. Stop and think. Stop and get information.
5-HTP should not be taken with Carbidopa, which is used to treat Parkinsons disease; triptans such as Imitrex, Zomig, Maxalt, or Amerge; and some other prescription medications. If you are taking any medications, please check with your doctor or pharmacist before using 5-HTP. An early study in the New England Journal of Medicine reported the possibility that 5-HTP may cause seizures in children with Down's Syndrome. Safety during pregnancy or nursing has not been established, nor has safety for those with kidney or liver disease.
The American Heritage Dictionary defines a drug as "a substance used in the diagnosis, treatment or prevention of a disease or as a component of a medication." When considering 5-HTP or any "natural" supplement, it is important that we consider that they have the potential to affect our bodies as much as any other drug, particularly if we are taking other prescription or over-the-counter drugs. Since dietary and herbal supplements don't come under the same scrutiny and testing as drugs, there have not been the same studies conducted to prove their effectiveness or their safety. In addition, there have been cases of contaminants in some supplements. For this reason, it is important that any supplement always be purchased from a well known, reputable source. Before you take 5-HTP or any other supplement, consult your physician about the potential for them to interact with any medications you may be taking as well as whether they may be potentially harmful because of any illness you may have.
