Posted by SLS on November 26, 2006, at 14:55:35
In reply to tryptophan, posted by elanor roosevelt on November 26, 2006, at 13:28:32
> Scott,
> Tryptophan?
> Is that 5-HT?5-HT is the chemical designation for serotonin. When serotonin receptors are described, they are usually designated as 5-HT receptors.
5-HT = 5-hydroxytryptamine = serotonin
The pathway through which serotonin is manufactured in the body starts with the amino-acid, tryptophan.
tryptophan > 5-HTP > 5-HT
The conversion of tryptophan to 5-HTP by the enzyme tryptophan hydroxylase is the rate-limiting step in this manufacturing process. The second step occurs more quickly. Since 5-HTP crosses into the brain more readily than tryptophan, it is actually a more effective precursor strategy to use 5-HTP rather than tryptophan to augment antidepressants.
- Scott
poster:SLS
thread:706347
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20061123/msgs/707453.html