5-HTP Neurotransmitter Support 50 mg. - 30 Veg Capsules NOW Foods

NOW Foods - 5-HTP Neurotransmitter Support 50 mg. - 30 Veg Capsules

NOW Foods 5-HTP Neurotransmitter Support 50 mg. contains 5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan), which is the intermediate metabolite between the amino acid L-tryptophan and serotonin. It is extracted from the bean of an African plant (Griffonia simplicifolia). You may know tryptophan as the substance in turkey that makes you feel like taking a nap after Thanksgiving dinner. 5-HTP is a direct precursor of the important inhibitory neurotransmitter serotonin, which is secreted in response to mood or emotion swings. Serotonin soothes and calms and brings about feelings of contentment. It is also the precursor to the antioxidant and sleep enhancer called melatonin, which is produced in the pineal gland by the conversion of serotonin.

• Supports Positive Mood
• Neurotransmitter Support
• Non-GMO & Kosher
• Vegan & Vegetarian
• GMP Quality Assured Certified
• A Dietary Supplement
• Free of Dairy, Egg, Gluten, Nut & Soy

Is 5-HTP safe to take? The FDA has warned that it has found batches with impurities similar to the Japanese batches of tryptophan in 1980.
5-HTP and tryptophan are not the same. 5-HTP is related to tryptophan, but is derived from a different source. The 1980 scare concerning the Japanese tryptophan was attributed to a large batch the Japanese produced that was contaminated during the fermentation and/or filtration process. The contaminant caused affected persons to develop symptoms of EMS (eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome). 5-HTP, unlike tryptophan, is now extracted from the seed of the Griffonia simplicifolia plant and is not produced via bacterial fermentation, virtually eliminating further occurrence of EMS. The contaminant believed to have caused the tryptophan contamination has not been identified as being present in 5-HTP.

Does NOW check for Peak X contamination in the 5-HTP product?
NOW 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) is the highest quality >99% pure material available. The culprit in the tryptophan problem some years ago was supposedly due to a compound dubbed Peak X. NOW 5-HTP is Peak X free. NOW also requires total Impurities [e.g. the synthetic D-form, determined by HPLC] to be not more than 0.5%, Chloride less than 100 parts per million, Tryptophan not more than 0.05%, and Serotonin has to be absent.

Do Supplements Work?
You’re standing there with a bottle of supplements in your hand, staring at the label with doubts and questions racing through your mind. You’ve read articles, listened to friends, asked your doctor, but you’re still not sure. The short answer is “yes.”

• Literally thousands of published peer-reviewed scientific studies demonstrate supplements work.
• From professional athletes to moms, more and more people are enjoying the benefits of including nutritional supplements in their daily routine.
• An increasing number of health professionals recommend them as part of the growing field of integrative medicine.

Are Supplements Safe?
There’s a myth floating around out there that anything natural is safe. While most natural supplements have an excellent track record, it would be misleading to use “natural” as an absolute guide to safety.

NOW was founded on the understanding that using natural products is one of the best things you can do for your health. NOW founder and chemist, Elwood Richard, was deeply impressed by the data he’d seen on natural products.

However, “natural” doesn’t always mean safe. Some supplements can affect your internal chemistry dramatically – often in positive ways. But - depending on your health status and unique biochemistry - this can also bring negative results. Bottom line, the same natural supplement may not work the same way for different people.

Fortunately, most reputable supplement companies include helpful warning labels on their products that will help you identify potential problems. It’s important to do your research. And if you have specific health concerns, speak with your health care provider.