5-HTP: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions and Warnings at supplementsbuzz

5-HTP

Overview

5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan) is a chemical by-product of the protein building block L-tryptophan. It is also produced commercially from the seeds of an African plant (Griffonia simplicifolia).

5-HTP is used for sleep disorders, depression,anxiety, migraine and tension-type headaches,fibromyalgia, binge eating associated withobesity, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and along with prescription drugs to treat seizuredisorder and Parkinson's disease.

How does it work?

5-HTP works in the brain and central nervous system by increasing the production of the chemical serotonin. Serotonin can affect sleep, appetite, temperature, sexual behavior, and pain sensation. Since 5-HTP increases the synthesis of serotonin, it is used for several diseases where serotonin is believed to play an important role including depression, insomnia, obesity, and many other conditions.

Uses

Possibly Effective for

Depression. Research shows that taking 5-HTP by mouth might improve symptoms of depression. Several trials have found that doses of 50-3000 mg daily for 2-4 weeks can improvesymptoms of depression. Some early research also shows that 5-HTP might be as beneficial as conventional antidepressant therapy.Fibromyalgia. Taking 5-HTP by mouth appears to improve symptoms of fibromyalgia including pain severity, morning stiffness, and sleeplessness.

Insufficient Evidence for

Alcoholism. Early research shows that taking 5-HTP with D-phenylalanine and L-glutamine for 40 days can reduce alcohol withdrawal symptoms. However, taking 5-HTP with carbidopa daily for one year does not seem to help people stop drinking. The effect of 5-HTP alone for alcoholism is not clear.Alzheimer's disease. Early research suggests that taking 5-HTP by mouth does not help symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.Anxiety. Evidence on the effects of 5-HTP for anxiety is unclear. Taking up to 300 mg of 5-HTP daily along with carbidopa seems to reduceanxiety symptoms in people with anxiety disorders. However, taking 60 mg of 5-HTP daily through the vein does not reduce anxiety in people with panic disorders.Nervous system disorder (Cerebellar ataxia). Evidence on the use of 5-HTP for cerebellar ataxia is unclear. Early evidence shows that taking 5 mg/kg of 5-HTP daily for 4 months can decrease nervous system dysfunction. However, other research shows that taking 5-HTP daily for up to one year does not improve symptoms of cerebellar ataxia.Down syndrome. Taking 2 mg/kg of 5-HTP daily for 3 years does not improve muscle movement, social skills, or intellectual development in newborn children with Down syndrome.Headache. Evidence on the use of 5-HTP to prevent or treat headache symptoms is unclear. Some research shows that taking 5-HTP daily can reduce headache symptoms in children with headaches. However, other studies show that 5-HTP does not reduce the number or severity of headaches.Insomnia. Taking an amino acid formula (Gabadone) containing gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and 5-HTP seems to help people with sleeping problems fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. The effect of 5-HTP alone on sleeping problems is unclear.Menopausal symptoms. Taking 150 mg of 5-HTP daily for 4 weeks does not reduce hot flashes in postmenopausal women.Migraine headache. Evidence on the effects of 5-HTP for the prevention or treatment of migraines in adults is unclear. Some studies show that taking 5-HTP daily does not reduce migraines, while other studies show that it might be as beneficial as prescription drugs. 5-HTP does not seem to reduce migraines in children.Obesity. Early research suggests that taking 5-HTP might help reduce appetite, caloric intake, and weight in obese people.Muscle spasms in the mouth (Palatal myoclonus). Early evidence suggests that taking 5-HTP by mouth might reduce muscle spasms in people with palatal myoclonus.Premenstrual syndrome (PMS). 

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). 

Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Other conditions.More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of 5-HTP for these uses.

Side Effects

5-HTP is POSSIBLY SAFE when taking by mouth. However, some people who have taken it have come down with eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome (EMS), a serious condition involving extreme muscle tenderness (myalgia) and blood abnormalities (eosinophilia). Some people think EMS might be caused by an accidental ingredient (contaminant) in some 5-HTP products. However, there is not enough scientific evidence to know if EMS is caused by 5-HTP, a contaminant, or some other factor. Until more is known, 5-HTP should be used cautiously.

Other potential side effects of 5-HTP include heartburn, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, drowsiness, sexual problems, and muscle problems.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: 5-HTP isPOSSIBLY UNSAFE when taken by mouth when pregnant or breast-feeding. Avoid using it.

Down syndrome: There are reports of 5-HTP causing seizures in some people with Down syndrome. In one group studied, 15% of people with Down syndrome receiving long-term 5-HTP treatment experienced seizures.

Surgery: 5-HTP can affect a brain chemical called serotonin. Some drugs administered during surgery can also affect serotonin. Taking 5-HTP before surgery might cause too much serotonin in the brain and can result in serious side effects including heart problems, shivering, and anxiety. Tell patients to stop taking 5-HTP at least 2 weeks before surgery.

Interactions

Major Interaction: Do not take this combination

Medications for depression (Antidepressant drugs) interacts with 5-HTP

5-HTP increases a brain chemical called serotonin. Some medications for depression also increase serotonin. Taking 5-HTP along with these medications for depression might increase serotonin too much and cause serious side effects including heart problems, shivering, and anxiety. Do not take 5-HTP if you are taking medications for depression.

Some of these medications for depression include fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), amitriptyline (Elavil), clomipramine (Anafranil), imipramine (Tofranil), and others.

Medications for depression (MAOIs) interacts with 5-HTP

5-HTP increases a chemical in the brain. This chemical is called serotonin. Some medications used for depression also increase serotonin. Taking 5-HTP with these medications used for depression might cause there to be too much serotonin. This could cause serious side effects including heart problems, shivering, and anxiety.

Some of these medications used for depression include phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate), and others.

Moderate Interaction: Be cautious with this combination

Carbidopa (Lodosyn) interacts with 5-HTP

5-HTP can affect the brain. Carbidopa (Lodosyn) can also affect the brain. Taking 5-HTP along with carbidopa can increase the risk of serious side effects including rapid speech, anxiety, aggressiveness, and others.

Dextromethorphan (Robitussin DM, and others) interacts with 5-HTP

5-HTP can affect a brain chemical called serotonin. Dextromethorphan (Robitussin DM, others) can also affect serotonin. Taking 5-HTP along with dextromethorphan (Robitussin DM, others) might cause too much serotonin in the brain and serious side effects including heart problems, shivering, and anxiety. Do not take 5-HTP if you are taking dextromethorphan (Robitussin DM, and others).

Meperidine (Demerol) interacts with 5-HTP

5-HTP increases a chemical in the brain called serotonin. Meperidine (Demerol) can also increase serotonin in the brain. Taking 5-HTP along with meperidine (Demerol) might cause too much serotonin in the brain and serious side effects including heart problems, shivering, and anxiety.

Pentazocine (Talwin) interacts with 5-HTP

5-HTP increases a brain chemical called serotonin. Pentazocine (Talwin) also increases serotonin. Taking 5-HTP along with pentazocine (Talwin) might increase serotonin too much. This could cause serious side effects including heart problems, shivering, and anxiety. Do not take 5-HTP if you are taking pentazocine (Talwin).

Tramadol (Ultram) interacts with 5-HTP

Tramadol (Ultram) can affect a chemical in the brain called serotonin. 5-HTP can also affect serotonin. Taking 5-HTP along with tramadol (Ultram) might cause too much serotonin in the brain and side effects including confusion, shivering, stiff muscles, and others.

Dosing

The appropriate dose of 5-HTP depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for 5-HTP. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

ACTIVATED CHARCOAL usage, side effects, Interactions, dosing at supplementsbuzz

ACTIVATED CHARCOAL
Overview

Common charcoal is made from peat, coal, wood, coconut shell, or petroleum. “Activated charcoal” is similar to common charcoal, but is made especially for use as a medicine. To make activated charcoal, manufacturers heat common charcoal in the presence of a gas that causes the charcoal to develop lots of internal spaces or “pores.” These pores help activated charcoal “trap” chemicals.

Activated charcoal is used to treat poisonings, reduce intestinal gas (flatulence), lower cholesterol levels, prevent hangover, and treat bile flow problems (cholestasis) duringpregnancy.

How does it work?

Activated charcoal is good at trapping chemicals and prevents their absorption.

Uses

Likely Effective for

Trapping chemicals to stop some types of poisoning when used as a part of standard treatment.

Insufficient Evidence for

Lowering cholesterol levels. So far, research studies don’t agree about the effectiveness of taking activated charcoal by mouth to lowercholesterol levels in the blood.Decreasing gas (flatulence). Some studies show that activated charcoal is effective in reducing intestinal gas, but other studies don’t agree. It’s too early to come to a conclusion on this.Treating reduced bile flow (cholestasis) during pregnancy. Taking activated charcoal by mouthseems to help treat cholestasis in pregnancy, according to some early research reports.Preventing hangover. Activated charcoal is included in some hangover remedies, but some experts are skeptical about how well it might work. Activated charcoal doesn’t seem to trap alcohol well.Other conditions.More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of activated charcoal for these uses.

Side Effects

Activated charcoal is safe for most adults when used short-term. Side effects of activated charcoal include constipation and black stools. More serious, but rare, side effects are a slowing or blockage of the intestinal tract, regurgitation into the lungs, and dehydration.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Activated charcoal might be safe when used short-term if you are pregnant or breast-feeding, but consult with your healthcare professional before using if you are pregnant.

Gastrointestinal (GI) blockage or slow movement of food through the intestine: Don’t use activated charcoal if you have any kind of intestinal obstruction. Also, if you have a condition that slows the passage of food through your intestine (reduced peristalsis), don’t use activated charcoal, unless you are being monitored by your healthcare provider.

Interactions

Major Interaction: Do not take this combination

Syrup of ipecac interacts with ACTIVATED CHARCOAL

Activated charcoal can bind up syrup of ipecac in the stomach. This decreases the effectiveness of syrup of ipecac.

Moderate Interaction: Be cautious with this combination

Alcohol interacts with ACTIVATED CHARCOAL

Activated charcoal is sometimes used to prevent poisons from being absorbed into the body. Taking alcohol with activated charcoal might decrease how well activated charcoal works to prevent poison absorption.

Medications taken by mouth (Oral drugs) interacts with ACTIVATED CHARCOAL

Activated charcoal absorbs substances in the stomach and intestines. Taking activated charcoal along with medications taken by mouth can decrease how much medicine your body absorbs, and decrease the effectiveness of your medication. To prevent this interaction, take activated charcoal at least one hour after medications you take by mouth.

Dosing

The following doses have been studied in scientific research:

BY MOUTH:For drug overdose or poisoning: 50 to 100 grams of activated charcoal is given at first, followed by charcoal every 2 to 4 hours at a dose equal to 12.5 grams per hour. For children, lower doses (10 to 25 grams) are used.

Tips to Ease ADHD Drug Side Effects in Adults

If you’re an adult with ADHD, medications can help a lot. They can give you back your focus and a feeling of control.

But for many people, these perks come with a price -- side effects. Most of the time they’re mild and fade after a few weeks or months of treatment. But that’s not true for everyone.

Here’s a look at possible side effects and tips to relieve them.

Common Side Effects and What to Do

ADHD is typically treated with stimulant medicines, but some people take non-stimulants.

Both types have similar side effects.

Nausea. Take your medicine with food to lower your odds of feeling queasy. If you’re supposed to take it in the morning and you’re not a breakfast person, you may want to find something you can eat anyway.Loss of appetite. Some drugs can have that effect. But skipping meals can lead to low blood sugar, and that may worsen your ability to focus. Instead, eat several small meals a day, rather than three bigger ones. Protein shakes are an easy way to get nutrients. Also, eat dinner later in the evening, after the effects of your medication have worn off. You may find you’re hungry. Sometimes the worse appetite leads to weight loss. It’s usually just a small amount. But if you think you're losing too much weight, tell your doctor.Headaches. You might get themafter you take your medication on an empty stomach, or if you’re dehydrated. Sometimes they come on as the medicine wears off. Your doctor may be able to help by tweaking when you take your drug.Dry mouth. Drink plenty of fluids, and use lozenges to keep your mouth moist.Dizziness. Sometimes dizzy spells can be a sign that you’re taking too much medication. Check with your doctor. He might also want to check your blood pressure.Moodiness. Some people find that their medications make them tense and cranky. Like most ADHD drug side effects, this may fade in time. If your moodiness is bothering you, ask your doctor about adjusting the dose or changing your medication.Trouble sleeping. Some ADHD medications can rev you up and make it hard to fall asleep. Take your medication earlier in the day, so it’s worn off well before bedtime. If you’re on a long-acting stimulant, you could ask your doctor about trying a short-acting one - the effects will fade more quickly. Caffeine is likely to make it harder tosleep, so limit or cut out coffee, tea, and sodas. Turn off your TV, computers, and phones an hour or so before going to bed, and practice calming habits.Tics. ADHD medications don’t cause these. But they can sometimes bring out an underlying tic -- maybe one you had in childhood will come back. Usually these fade over time. Talk to your doctor if it doesn’t go away.

The Facts on Omega-3 Fatty Acids

When it comes to fat, there's one type you don’t want to cut back on: omega-3 fatty acids. Two crucial ones -- EPA and DHA -- are primarily found in certain fish. ALA (alpha-linolenic acid), another omega-3 fatty acid, is found in plant sources such as nuts and seeds. Not only does your body need these fatty acids to function, but also they deliver some big health benefits.

How They Help Your Health

Blood fat (triglycerides). Fish oil supplements can lower elevated triglyceride levels. Having high levels of this blood fat puts you at risk for heart disease.

Rheumatoid arthritis. Fish oil supplements (EPA+DHA) can curb stiffness and joint pain. Omega-3 supplements also seem to boost the effectiveness of anti-inflammatory drugs.

Depression. Some researchers have found that cultures that eat foods with high levels of omega-3s have lower levels of depression. Fish oil also seems to boost the effects of antidepressantsand may help the depressive symptoms of bipolar disorder.

Baby development. DHA appears to be important for visual and neurological development in infants.

Can You Trust Your Dietary Supplement?

Nov. 18, 2015 -- Seven federal agencies, including the Department of Justice and the FDA, held an extraordinary joint press conference Tuesday to announce the civil and criminal indictments of more than 100 makers and marketers of dietary supplements.

 Suspicious Supplements? 

Promises that signal iffy products, according to federal agencies, include: 

Weight loss without diet or exerciseRapid results Reverse signs of aging Prevent, treat, or cure multiple diseases 

If a product makes those claims, ask your  health care provider: 

Is there scientific proof that it actually works? How reliable is this brand? How will it affect my other medications?What are the side effects? If it’s safe to take, what’s the right amount? 

Seals that certify supplement safety include United States Pharmacopeia (USP) or a symbol from NSF International or ConsumerLab.com.

At the center of the action, called the Dietary Supplement Sweep, was an 11-count criminal indictment against Dallas-based USPlabs. The company made weight loss and bodybuilding supplements blamed for dozens of liver injuries -- some which required transplants -- and several fatal heart attacks in young, apparently healthy adults, authorities say.

“The USPlabs case and others brought as part of this sweep illustrate alarming practices the department found -- practices that must be brought to the public’s attention so consumers know the serious health risks of untested products,” says the DOJ’s Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Benjamin Mizer in a press release.

The indictment offers a rare glimpse into the dangerous sell first, test later business practices embraced by the supplements industry and codified by a 1994 law called the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act, or DSHEA. The law allows supplement manufacturers to self-certify that their products are safe and effective. The FDA can only step in once a problem comes to light.

Critics of the supplement industry applauded the indictments, but said they wouldn’t be enough to keep consumers safe in the long run until laws are changed.

“I’m glad to see enforcement actions taking place against companies that knowingly endanger or mislead American consumers. But, the bottom line is that a lack of consistent oversight makes the dietary supplement industry resemble the Wild West -- and until the government makes this a real priority, we will continue to see shelves stocked with products that could potentially harm American families,” U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill said in a press statement.

On (Fitness Fiber)

Fibre support

Convenient fibre source for athletes following high-protein diets.Each 5g serving contains six different fibre sources.10 calories per serving & fat free.Add to drinks, your ON shakes, or breakfast cereal. 

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

Fitness Fiber

It's generally recommended that adults consume 25 to 35 grams of fiber per day. Most Americans only get about half of that amount. Fiber's value to athletes and health conscious individuals is centered on its important role in digestive support. If you're not consuming enough fruits and vegetables to meet your fiber needs, adding a teaspoon of Fitness Fiber to your favourite, beverage, protein shake, oatmeal, or bowl of cereal gets you 5 grams closer to meeting your goal ? with only 10 additional calorie. 

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION