8 replies to this topic

[Xenthide]

What is the difference between L-Tryptophan and the the more available 5-Hydroxytryptophan (or 5-HTP)?

I understand the difference chemically and metabolically - L-Tryptophan is metabolised into 5-HTP, which is then metabolised into Serotonin, so L-Tryptophan is one metabolic step further away from becoming the neurotransmitter that supplementation with either of these chemicals would (presumably) be targeting.

However, what I don't understand and would like to know is whether this means anything at all in terms of subjective effects and the results of long term or short term supplementation.

Are L-Tryptophan and 5-HTP the same supplement for all intents and purposes? Or are there small differences in effects and usefulness - if there are, what are they?

Thanks in advance for any help.

[Unstoppable]

5-htp can turn into serotonin before reaching the brain, an enzyme called aromatic amino acid Decarboxylase does this in the liver. Serotonin outside of the brain can lead to heart valve complications.


You can read more about it here. http://yarchive.net/med/5-htp.html
I prefer to use L-tryptophan because of this. Its a bit more expensive but less risk

[balance]

http://www.scienceda...30831110933.htm

[renfr]

L tryptophan is an amino acid and 5 HTP is its metabolite.

[Xenthide]

Unstoppable, thank you for a fairly informative response.

piet3r, I am not sure exactly how that study relates to my question, at all.

renfr I don't know why you even bothered to respond. Please don't bother in future.

[renfr]

Unstoppable, thank you for a fairly informative response.

piet3r, I am not sure exactly how that study relates to my question, at all.

renfr I don't know why you even bothered to respond. Please don't bother in future.

No need to be rude, no one is committed to give you an answer.

[balance]

Unstoppable, thank you for a fairly informative response.

piet3r, I am not sure exactly how that study relates to my question, at all.

renfr I don't know why you even bothered to respond. Please don't bother in future.

It relates to what Unstoppable said about it not being a good thing to have too much Serotonin flowing freely in other areas.

[onz]

Searching through the available literature for 30 minutes, I couldn't find any studies comparing the efficacy (or safety) of the two, however, I agree with Unstoppable, theoretically there's more potential for 5htp to have negative effects associated with supplementation - and considering tryptophan is commonly consumed in food, one would expect our bodies to be more accustomed to it. This article gives a nice assessment of tryptophan: http://jn.nutrition....2/12/2236S.long

 

Subjectively, tryptophan seems to be much more affective than 5HTP, this isn't just my own experience, when referring people to tryptophan after they've been using 5HTP the feedback has always been that the desired effect (mood, sleep, etc.) is more consistent with tryptophan. 

Edited by onz, 20 February 2015 - 12:56 PM.

[niner]

5-HTP is a metabolite of L-TRP.  The conversion is regulated, so if you take L-TRP, you'll get a more controlled level of 5-HTP and its downstream metabolites, like serotonin and melatonin.   INHO, TRP is a better choice. They are certainly not equivalent.