4 replies to this topic

[J-88]

Hey all, I'm new here.

I just wanted some guidance really or maybe just even opinions on what people believe the safest supplement to be out of the three mentioned in the topic title. I'll briefly go over my thoughts and I hope to see which one you would feel the most comfortable taking, I don't know, some of you may even be taking one of the supplements already.

I have been taking 5-HTP for 5 days now but I'm really uncomfortable with the heart valve damage issue and it's really making me want to stop already as I'm becoming paranoid. I think taking 50mg daily (ignoring the issue of whether its coupled with vitamin B6 here) of 5-HTP in the long-term might be too risky. Yet the annoying thing is that there is no evidence of this or long term studies with compelling results saying it causes such damage, at least according to my knowledge anyway. As for Peak-X, well that is a slight worry, but I have seen Peak-X free brands like Doctor's Best and also there is no definite answer on whether Peak-X serious disorders.

As for tryptophan, I think I could feel more uneasy about taking this than 5-HTP, all because of this EMS business. Yes I know it was ages ago concerning a Japanese company altering the bacteria fermentation process but it still makes me worry. EMS sounds devastating and even with NOW Foods' Tryptophan which is USP grade and supposedly free of Peak-E and microbial contaminants I would still have concern. There is also the issue of it raising the incidence of bladder cancer, and maybe even something to do with increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes (I'm sure I've seen that somewhere). EMS is probably the biggest concern though, as I'm sure there has been debate also that it could well have been the tryptophan itself that caused the onset of EMS in susceptible people.

Lastly, Rhodiola Rosea seems the safest with the least serious potential side effects, well from what I can find anyway. But who knows, maybe enough research hasn't been done on it. Because it was a while before a study claimed that SJW could increase the risk of cateracts.

I look forward to hearing your opinions, on whether the above are rational worries or whether I'm just over-reacting lol, honestly why can't everything just be absolutely safe!!

Thanks

J-88

[medievil]

You can combine 5HTP with cardidopa to block periphal conversion, this combination is actually actively used in some european country's.

[leha]

What effect are you trying to achieve, J-88?

[J-88]

Hi medievil and leha,

@medievil - Yes, I've heard of that but that is a prescription based medication, I was trying to keep this away from the doctors really as I hate things going down on my record as I have to declare everything when applying for a job and some companies can be quite pedantic when going over medical records and ask all sorts of questions like What is it? What am I taking it with? Why am I taking it?

@leha - I'm just trying to alleviate some depression / anxiety which I'm sure has been induced by the drug Roaccutane for acne. I've been on it for 3.5 months now and I'm due to stay on it another 5 months. So I would want to be on 5-HTP or something else daily for at least that amount of time until I've finished the course of Roaccutane. There is no way I want to come off Roaccutane though, that is an absolute last resort as my skin has gradually become amazing and there is no way I would want to go back to having acne. I did try absolutely everything before Roaccutane, the most successful being antibiotics which kept it half at bay and less inflamed. I wasn't happy with that though and wanted something closer to a cure and seen as I am 22yrs old I went for Roaccutane as it's not like I'm in my teens and need to see if I grow out of it. Like I said to medievil though, I'm trying to keep this away from the doctors and wouldn't want to be given prescription based depression / anxiety medication. Depression and anxiety on the medical records is a red flag for occupational health because they get scared you will be taking time off work all the time and may not offer you a job because of this.

Thanks

[medievil]

As far as i'm aware there is no-one else that has acces to your medical data except your own docter (even if you have to bring in medical recors, its only about current conditions you may have, altough ive never heared of having to give your medical recors when applying for a job), when applying for a job there's no need to tell anything about what you have been prescribed and they cant find either.

Edited by medievil, 10 September 2010 - 05:32 PM.