The Role of 5-HTP in Treatment of Depression - Research Paper Example

? The role of 5-htp in treatment of depression Lecturer 5-HTP is a contentious complement that is presently receiving exceedingly mixed reviews from consumers and researchers alike. It can be produced in the laboratory through extraction from the seeds of the plant Griffonia simplicifolia 5-hydroxytryptophan or 5-HTP, is an amino acid occurring naturally in the body, and performs an important role in the serotonin production within the brain (Turner, 2006). Serotonin executes a numerous functions, however in the brain it is predominantly involved in the regulation of mood; the higher the level of our serotonin in the brain, the happier one feels. Through taking 5-hydroxytryptophan in form of a supplement, we essentially provide more resources for the brain in order to manufacture serotonin, thus increasing the level of our serotonin, and alleviating bouts of anxiety and depression potentially. Testimonials from consumers and researchers suggest that this does work, to a level as prescribed-antidepressants like Sertraline and Provac, and even as effective as St John’s Wort (Shaw, Turner & Del Mar, 2009). However, 5-hydroxytryptophan supplements have got off to an uncertain beginning, with an initial batch in 1988 resulting into several cases of EMS, particularly a serious muscle condition. even though this was later on revealed to primarily be from one tainted batch, the reputation of 5-hydroxytryptophan was mottled, and therefore many institutions and researchers believe that much more research needs to be carried out prior to the full trust on the supplement. In spite of primarily considering 5-hydroxytryptophan supplements as a treatment for anxiety and depression, the 5-HTP could have other beneficial uses as well: 5-HTP raises the level of the neurotransmitter in the brain, melatonin in the brain that encourages sleep. So 5-hydroxytryptophan supplements can possibly be used as an effective sleep-aid; Scientists also believe that 5-hydroxytryptophan may aid weight loss, because lack of serotonin in the brain may prompt binge-eating coming with a low mood; and finally 5-hydroxytryptophan supplements may be used in treating fibromyalgia, through easing anxiety and pain. However, this medical paper will focuses on the role of 5-hydroxytryptophan in treating depression (Turner, 2006). Role of 5htp in treating depression Introduction 5-hydroxytryptophan or 5-HTP is an amino acid produced by our body from 1-tryptophan, a dietary amino acid. 5-hydroxytryptophan has the capability to be changed to the neurotransmitter serotonin that regulates mood as well as the melatonin hormone that induces sleep. The neurotransmitter serotonin performs a major role in many functions of the body, including the mood regulation (Gendle & Golding, 2010). Numerous powerful prescription antidepressants functions through slowing the serotonin absorption by the brain. In many instances, many people have received help from prescription antidepressants like Paxil or Prozac and look at them like lifesavers. However, for others, the drugs are slow-working or ineffective. In many circumstances, the side effects are severe enough to daunt patients from taking the drug prescription. 5-hydroxytryptophan is made from the seeds of the Griffonia simplicifolia plant. The body converts 5-hydroxytryptophan into serotonin that elevates mood without marginal or severe side effects (Joy, 2008). This paper seeks to discuss the role of 5-hydroxytryptophan in treating depression. 1. How 5-hydroxytryptophan works In the discussion of the role of 5-hydroxytryptophan in treating depression, 5-hydroxytryptophan has been proven to work well in treating depression. It seems to work in treatment of depression. 5-hydroxytryptophan is involved in serotonin production and seems to reduce depressive symptoms. Although the dietary amino acid, l-tryptophan can be got by eating foods rich in it, such as turkey and red meat, the capability of converting it into 5-hydroxytryptophan and eventually into serotonin is restricted by the accessibility and availability of an enzyme referred to as tryptophan hydroxylase (Eriksson et al., 2006). This enzyme, tryptophan hydroxylase can be introverted or inhibited by numerous and varied factors like insulin resistance, stress, magnesium deficiency, and vitamin B6 deficiency. Complementing with 5-hydroxytryptophan overcomes this predicament through eliminating the desire and need to convert l-tryptophan into 5-hydroxytryptophan, hence allowing more 5-hydroxytryptophan to be available in order to be converted into serotonin. 5-hydroxytryptophan is an effective treatment for depression and hence plays a pivotal role (Turner, 2006). Clinical trial Generally, the clinical trials that have been published to date show that 5-hydroxytryptophan may be effective in depression treatment, both when used in conjunction with prescription antidepressants and on its own. However, much better quality studies are needed in order to steadfastly and firmly establish the effectiveness of 5-hydroxytryptophan in treating depression (De Giorgis et al., 2006). The tryptophan amino acid that is present in the protein food has numerous roles to play in biochemical reactions in the body. Some of the tryptophan amino acid becomes protein, some converted into vitamin B3 (niacin), while some ends up in the brain and to become the neurotransmitter serotonin. Neurotransmitter Serotonin is a key brain chemical and is responsible for producing a feeling of well-being and calm. Over three decades of research links various states of anxiety and depression with altered serotonin amounts (Joy, 2008). 2. Effectiveness of 5-hydroxytryptophan Even as 5-hydroxytryptophan is continuously being used, its effectiveness is being questioned after the ban of tryptophan by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1989, due to the eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome (EMS) that resulted from the use of contaminated batch supplied by a single Japanese manufacturer. Many clinical trials have studied the efficacy of 5-hydroxytryptophan for treating depression. A comparison of 5-hydroxytryptophan with antidepressant drug fluvoxamine found 5-hydroxytryptophan equally effective (Turner, 2005). 5-hydroxytryptophan assessment The Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and a self-assessment scale have been used to gauge the efficacy of the two medications. The two scales showed a gradual reduction in the symptoms of depression over time with both medications (Birdsall, 2008). Other studies around the world have shown the same results: 5-hydroxytryptophan treats depression. In addition to depression treatment, researchers have also associated 5-hydroxytryptophan with in fibromyalgia treatment, a reduction of migraine headaches, and weight loss in obese persons (Turner, 2005). 3. Safety of 5-hydroxytryptophan The safety of 5-hydroxytryptophan use is very significant to patients. This is because doses of some other patients have found the drug slow-working or ineffective. A 5-hydroxytryptophan dose of between 200-300 mg in a day is seemingly well-tolerated fairly. Some of the 5-hydroxytryptophan side effects that have been reported by consumers include: vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea. However, the less common side effects include insomnia, headache, and heart palpitations. The side effects of the gastro-intestine appear to depend on dose and tend to lessen with time. However, just as mentioned earlier, safety concerns of the 5-hydroxytryptophan is very important (Belongia et al., 2006). When 5-hydroxytryptophan is taken in conjunction with other medications that increases the level of serotonin alike, such as MAOIs or SSRIs, a possibility exist that the levels of serotonin may become hazardously high. This condition also referred to as serotonin syndrome will result into symptoms like flushing, high blood pressure, dizziness, hyperthermia, disorientation, hyperreflexia, and myoclonus. Patients who experience such symptoms need to seek immediate medical attention because this kind of condition may be deadly or fatal (Joy, 2008). Usage of 5-hydroxytryptophan during Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Although 5-hydroxytryptophan has been proven from clinical trials to treat depression, the usage during pregnancy may be dangerous. This is because currently there is not adequate data to affirm whether 5-hydroxytryptophan is safe for breastfeeding and pregnant women to use. Because of this reason, 5-hydroxytryptophan cannot be recommended for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding (Turner, 2006). Conclusion In summary, tryptophan became a popular in the 1970s and 1980s as nutritional supplement due to its role as a precursor to serotonin. It proved to be extraordinarily effective at alleviating depression symptoms; however, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned the retail sale of tryptophan in 1989 after a contaminated batch from the Japanese manufacturer resulted into severe condition referred to as eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome (EMS) (Bagdy et al., 2007). Even though tryptophan itself was not particularly implicated in EMS causation, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has firmly maintained its ban. However, 5-hydroxytryptophan came to light as a natural precursor to serotonin. And as stated earlier, 5-hydroxytryptophan is derived from the seed of Griffonia simplicifolia (Turner, 2005). 5-hydroxytryptophan has since been used in alleviating symptoms of depression as discussed in the paragraphs above. This paper has generally discussed the role of 5-hydroxytryptophan in treating depression, its safety, effectiveness, and usage. References Bagdy G, et al. (2007). Serotonin and epilepsy. J Neurochem, 100(4):857-873. Belongia EA, et al. (2006). An investigation of the cause of the eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome associated with tryptophan use. N Engl J Med 323(6):357-365. Birdsall TC. (2008). 5-Hydroxytryptophan: a clinically-effective serotonin precursor. Altern Med Rev 3(4):271-280. De Giorgis G, et al. (2006). Headache in association with sleep disorders in children: a psychodiagnostic evaluation and controlled clinical study--L-5-HTP versus placebo. Drugs Exp Clin Res, 13(7):425-433. Eriksson O, et al. (2006). Mood changes correlate to changes in brain serotonin precursor trapping in women with premenstrual dysphoria. Psychiatry Res 146(2):107-116. Gendle MH, Golding AC. (2010). Oral administration of 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) impairs decision making under ambiguity but not under risk: evidence from the Iowa Gambling Task. Hum Psychopharmacol, 25(6):491-499. Joy T (2008). 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