5 HTP Supplement

5 HTP Supplement

Facts - Similar Effects of Prescription Anti-Depression Drugs

As seen @ Shapefit.com

What is 5 HTP?
5 HTP (Hydroxytrytophan) is a compound that is produced from the amino acid tryptophan. This acts as a precursor to serotonin (a neurotransmitter) and melotonin (a hormone). 5 HTP is created by the body during conversion of these compounds which are involved with several brain functions - behavior, stress mechanisms, appetite control and sleep cycles, to name a few. It is a naturally occurring compound in protein food sources, but to have a therapeutic effect, higher levels are needed. Therefore supplementation is an ideal option to obtain the benefits of 5 HTP. The source of over the counter 5 HTP is from the seeds of an African plant, Griffonia simplicifolia

What Symptoms Can 5 HTP Relieve?
This supplement has been found to help reduce the symptoms of depression, fibromyalgia, insomnia, Migraines. It has also been found to be helpful for people trying to lose weight due to its appetite suppression qualities.

What Are The Benefits of Taking 5 HTP?
This is becoming a very popular supplement worldwide due to the similar effects of prescription anti-depression drugs. According to natural healing principles, using any supplement can help stimulate the body's own ability to heal. This is a fundamentally different approach than the current medical ideology which places its emphasis on eliminating a patient's symptoms, not necessarily relieving the cause. 5 HTP deficiencies have been attributed to many cases of depression; so its use may indeed help those with mild to moderate depression.

Since serotonin is involved in relaxation and mood balance and melatonin is involved with sleep cycles and appetite control, the benefits of using Hydroxytrytophan are complex.

People suffering from insomnia or any sleep disorder can benefit from this compound's ability to balance out the sleep cycle. It has been shown to reduce the time a person requires to fall asleep and can improve the quality of your sleep. This is especially significant for those suffering from insomnia, depression related sleep disorders and fibromyalgia.

Any malady regarding mood can be helped with its use; therefore people with depression, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SADS) or Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS), however mild or severe, can benefit from its use. Daily stress reduction and mood enhancement is good a possibility with the general use of 5 HTP.

People who suffer from fibromyalgia can definitely benefit from the effects of 5 HTP, simply due to the above mentioned items - since all are contributing symptoms of this ailment. This supplement has been shown to enhance serotonin synthesis, thus increasing pain tolerance and ideally a decrease in the number of painful areas and morning stiffness.

What Are The Side Effects of 5 HTP?
Because 5 HTP converts into serotonin the lack of sexual arousal and reduced sensation in the genitals is always a possible side effect. This can be avoided by taking a break in supplementation for a week at a time.

Other known side effects that may occur include nausea, stomach upset, loose stools or constipation, and headache.

Taking frequent breaks from supplementation with this nutrient can definitely avoid most known side effects, as with any potent micro-nutrient. Any long term use of a supplement should be done only under the advisement of a professional health practitioner.

5 HTP has been sold in the USA since 1994 and after more than a decade of use, there has been no known life threatening of other serious side effects attributed to the use of 5 HTP.

Who Should Not Take 5 HTP?
If you have a serious illness or are taking any medications for a serious illness, consult your physician before starting a supplement, to make sure there are no drug interactions. Also, any person taking serotonin reuptake inhibitors or MAOs (both popular prescription anti-depressants) should not take 5 HTP as there are known complications.

General Precautions With Any Supplementation
I do not suggest in any manner the reader should self diagnose in any serious case, or if your symptoms are recurring - please see your physician. This information is suggestive and offers a method of alternative therapy for several symptoms or maladies - migraines, anxiety, insomnia, fibromyalgia, weight loss, depression and PMS. If you have a serious illness or are taking any medications for a serious illness, consult your physician before starting a supplement, to make sure there are no drug interactions.

Product Sourcing
Any supplement user should be cautious of the source for 5 HTP, since low grade options are available, and have been cause for FDA regulations and recalls in the past. So check out your supplier's reputation through client testimonials or claims of service.

Keeping Your Kidneys Healthy

Your kidneys are responsible for detoxification and purification of the blood. A very important job indeed, and a gateway to good health if they are properly taken care of. Our health depends greatly on the function of our kidneys. Congestion of some part of the urinary passage, accumulation of acids due to a faulty diet, and too little an intake of fresh water, are the main causes of a great number of kidney diseases. Retention of fluids, and soreness to touch may indicate kidney malfunction. Puffy eyes and face, or the tissues in the abdomen and legs can take place; and the back over the kidneys is often very tender in a person with kidney troubles. In severe cases the whole body can swell as the tissues become waterlogged because the kidneys are not functioning to eliminate the fluid.

In Ancient Chinese medicine the kidneys are considered the organ of your life force. The theory holds that the kidneys store the jing, or "vital essence" and are associated with reproduction and creativity. In Western medicine, the hormones produced by the adrenal cortex play a similar role, and many traditional kidney tonics support the adrenal glands as well.

KIDNEY STONES
If you have had kidney stones recently it would be best to concentrate your healing efforts on the detoxifying and tonifying of your kidneys. The best method for this is to drink plenty of water. Increasing fluid intake in general, reduces the amount of minerals that can build up in your kidneys that form stones, or gravel. Plus the fluids will push through any toxins that may stagnate in the kidneys; essentially helping in the process of detoxification.

KIDNEY INFECTIONS
If you recently had a kidney infection, you may already be on a series of antibiotics, and I would recommend including acidophilus bacterium in your diet. The medicine you are on unfortunately has the side effect of killing all the good bacteria in your system as well as the one that caused your infection. A good food source of acidophilus is yogurt; ideally with added cultures. Just be sure it is not too sugary though, as this can work against the benefits.

Some good yogurt brands that are cultured: Stoneyfield Farms, Barbara's, Horizon, Tillamook, Dannon Activa, or any brand of kefir (a more cultured yogurt.)

Another thing that is greatly needed at this juncture in your healing is more fluids - flush your kidneys out. Ideally more water should be consumed, but you can drink any of your regular drinks. Be sure to avoid heavy sugars and chemicals though, as this would actually overload your kidneys at this point. The general rule is to increase your daily fluid intake to about 1/2 oz of fluid per pound of flesh.

DETOXIFICATION
Detoxification is the key to overall kidney and urinary tract health. Eating berries or drinking the juice is extremely beneficial. In particular blueberries, cranberries, acai and noni berries; since they are extremely high in antioxidants. Also, cranberry has been shown to help keep the bladder and ureters acidic and inhospitable for bacteria to grow, protecting the whole urinary tract.

Here are some simple things you can do to avoid infections:

1. Urinate after intercourse - Clearing the tract of potential bacteria.

2. Get plenty of sleep - This keeps your immune system strong.

3. Try to deal with life calmly - Avoiding stress and worry when possible.

4. Take a good multi-vitamin and mineral supplement - Keeping your system strong is the best way to avoid recurrent infections.

5. Keep your bowels moving - Constipation can overload the kidneys.

6. Drink plenty of fluids!

Signs that you may have a serious kidney or bladder condition:

* Pain in the lower abdomen and backsides.

* Frequent or urgent urination that is painful.

* Urine that is darker or more cloudy than usual.

In the case of any of these symptoms it is extremely important to see your physician, as an infection could be present. If left untreated, more serious conditions such as kidney stones or nephritis could occur.

Recurrent bladder, UTI and kidney infections or ailments are generally due to the loss of cellular vitality within the urinary tract. The kidneys are designed to eliminate toxins from the body, but if there are metabolic defects, bacterial activity or a build-up of ingested chemicals, dysfunction occurs. Lifestyle modifications are a great way to avoid these ailments or create a healing environment in your body.

Make a detoxification plan, adjust some lifestyle factors and create a diet and exercise regime that fits your specific needs.

Also published @ Ezinearticles.com