A closer look at 5-HTP and its brain-boosting benefits

( Natural News ) The supplement 5-HTP is touted by many for its brain benefits, which include enhanced cognitive function and the treatment of depression, anxiety, and insomnia, among others. While many people believe in and advocate the use of this supplement, many also insist that there is a lack of scientific evidence to back its purported benefits . So what are the brain-boosting benefits of 5-HTP and what were they based on? The basis of 5-HTP’s health benefits 5-HTP stands for 5-hydroxytryptophan, an amino acid naturally synthesized by the body. Unlike some beneficial molecules, 5-HTP is not obtained from food. However, tryptophan , the amino acid needed by the body to produce 5-HTP, only comes from certain food sources. Tryptophan can be obtained from animal-based foods that are rich in protein, such as poultry, seafood, meat, eggs , and dairy products. Meanwhile, the supplement 5-HTP is produced from the African shrub Griffonia simplicifolia , the most abundant external source of the compound. According to numerous accounts, 5-HTP is a great supplement that helps treat a variety of conditions. In the U.S., 5-HTP is used for anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, migraines, insomnia, ADHD, and fibromyalgia . 5-HTP is also said to aid in weight loss by reducing the appetite. The potential of 5-HTP to help with various conditions stems from its ability to be converted into two useful compounds: serotonin and melatonin. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter associated with happiness and a positive mood while melatonin is a hormone related to sleep. Discover how to prevent and reverse heart disease (and other cardio related events) with this free ebook : Written by popular Natural News writer Vicki Batt, this book includes everything you need to know about preventing heart disease, reversing hypertension, and nurturing your cardiac health without medication. Learn […]

Click here to view full article