5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) is a chemical byproduct of the protein building block L-tryptophan. It is produced commercially from the seeds of an African plant known as Griffonia simplicifolia. 5-HTP can be converted to serotonin in the body. It works in the brain and central nervous system by increasing the production of serotonin. Serotonin can affect sleep, appetite, temperature, sexual behavior, and pain sensation. Since 5-HTP increases serotonin levels, it is used for conditions in which serotonin is believed to play an important role. These possibly include depression, anxiety, and many other conditions. However, it may be ineffective for improving muscle strength or development in children with Down syndrome. (1)
According to the reference 1, it is possibly safe to take 5-HTP by mouth in doses of up to 400 mg daily for up to one year. The most common side effects include heartburn, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, drowsiness, sexual problems, and muscle problems. Large doses of 5-HTP, such as 6-10 grams daily, are possibly unsafe. These doses have been linked to severe stomach problems and muscle spasms. And, some people who have taken 5-HTP have developed a serious health condition called eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome (EMS). (1)
RECENT RESEARCH
Clarinda Nataria Sutanto and colleagues studied whether a daily supplement of 5-HTP, a natural precursor to sleep hormones, could improve sleep in older adults. They divided 30 people over 65 into two groups, one taking 5-HTP and the other not. After 12 weeks, they found that people who already had trouble sleeping benefited the most from the supplement, reporting better sleep quality. Interestingly, the supplement also seemed to improve the gut bacteria of those who had poor sleep initially. Overall, this small study suggests that 5-HTP might be a helpful option for older adults with sleep problems. (2)
Researchers studied how a common chemotherapy drug (doxorubicin) damages the heart and found a way to potentially prevent this damage. The drug works well against cancer, but it weakens the heart muscle over time. They discovered that the drug disrupts communication between heart cells, leading to a weaker heart structure. They then found that a substance the body naturally produces (5-HTP) can block this communication disruption and protect the heart from the chemotherapy drug's harmful effects. Importantly, this protection doesn't prevent the drug from working against cancer. This research suggests that 5-HTP might be a future medicine to help people undergoing this type of chemotherapy avoid heart damage. {3}
REFERENCE
1. 5-HTP, MedlinePlus, May 2, 2024.
2. Clarinda Nataria Sutanto et al, The impact of 5-hydroxytryptophan supplementation on sleep quality and gut microbiota composition in older adults: A randomized controlled trial, Randomized Controlled Trial Clin Nutr. 2024 Mar;43(3):593-602.
3. Wenshe Sun et al, 5-Hydroxytryptophan acts as a gap junction inhibitor to limit the spread of chemotherapy-induced cardiomyocyte injury and mitochondrial dysfunction, Aging (Albany NY). 2024 Mar 10;16(5):4889-4903.