5-HTP and Valerian Complex

Powerful sleep aid, anti-depressant and anti-anxiety supplement

This supplement, recently formulated by Solgar, is in our opinion a brilliant combination of nutrients to aid the problems mentioned above, plus others.

5-hydroxytryptophan (5HTP) is an extract from the bean of an African climbing plant, Griffonia simplicifolia. 5HTP is an amino acid that crosses the blood-brain barrier and then converts into serotonin in a natural process.

Serotonin is a very much needed hormone in the brain, as follows:

Depression

Low serotonin levels are associated with various types of depression, and as the immediate precursor to serotonin 5HTP has been shown in several studies to help depression.

Anxiety and Panic Attacks

Serotonin is not only mood-elevating, but also calming, and several studies have established a link between low serotonin levels and increased anxiety/panic.

Insomnia

5HTP appears to improve the quality of sleep in normal subjects, as well as those with insomnia. Even in healthy subjects, the amount of deep, quality sleep is increased without increasing total sleep time. In subjects suffering from insomnia, the proportion of disturbed sleep is reduced.

Headaches

News to us! Headaches can have a variety of causes, but serotonin deficiency can be a major factor. Stress can be a major cause of headaches, so increased serotonin produced from 5HTP will obviously help, but apparently 5HTP also increases levels of beta-endorphins, the body’s own painkillers. As an aside, the reason why opiates such as morphine work is that they bind to endorphin receptors in the body. The body’s own painkillers, however, have the advantage of not being addictive.

So, 5HTP on its own is very good.

However, Solgar have chosen to add other aids to enhance its effectiveness still further.

Valerian

This herb has been used for centuries as an aid for insomnia and stress, and many people have found it very effective on its own.

Magnesium

This is an essential nutrient for many purposes in the body, but it has been included in this formulation for its known ability to reduce muscle spasm, blood pressure and stress. Many headaches are caused by muscle spasm, especially at the back of the neck.

Finally, an unexpected one to us, 5HTP can help with obesity. It has been shown that low serotonin levels increase binge eating, especially of carbohydrates. 5HTP has been shown to reduce cravings and improve diet adherence in obese individuals. Early days, but could 5HTP be a major aid to controlled eating?

Dosage

Best results are obtained with 100-200mg three times per day. There are some reports of nausea if you start on a high dose, so start with 100mg once per day and gradually work up.

Best taken with juice or a carbohydrate snack.

To buy this product, click this link: www.NationalNutrition.co.uk