Posted by JLx on September 25, 2003, at 19:40:05
In reply to Re: Tryptophan vs 5HTP Please Help!!, posted by matthhhh on September 24, 2003, at 5:58:52
Tryptophan is illegal to sell as a human supplement in the U.S. -- or so I had understood. Perhaps it's changed just recently, or there is some loophole so that this site can offer it here: (to order) http://www.healthrecovery.com/ (info) http://www.healthrecovery.com/PageMill_Product_Files/Tryptophan.html
That site is from an addiction treatment center of the woman, Joan Mathews Larson, who wrote "Depression Free Naturally" which I've read and would recomend, even though it is a few years old now. The last time I checked that site, a few months ago, she wasn't selling tryptophan herself but was referring people to this site: (order) http://www.biochemicals.com/orderonline.php3 (info)http://www.biochemicals.com/productinfo.php3?id=22 There, tryptophan is labeled for "veterinary use only" to get around the law presumably, as the information sheet is clearly about humans, not pets.
If the equine site is a comparable product, it's clearly a LOT cheaper. What I wondered, is since it says it's 90% pure -- what's in the other 10%?
Tryptophan is also sold as a drug in Canada, btw, called Tryptan -- available online through pharmacies, some of which may or may not require a prescription. It's available through compounding pharmacies in the U.S. too -- if you can find a doc to prescribe it.
Here's a page about that, by a woman who treated her own depression with natural health remedies: http://depressionvitamins.com/tryptophan/ There's lots of good info on that site.
I'm still not clear whether tryptophan or 5-HTP is supposed to be best. Michael Murray -- who is a naturopathic doctor I usually respect -- says 5-HTP is better. http://www.doctormurray.com/5htp/tryptophan.htm I'm reading his book now, "5-HTP: The Natural Way to Boost Serotonin and Overcome Depression, Obesity, and Insomnia
5-HTP". Here are the FAQs from his site: http://www.doctormurray.com/B5htpFAQ.htmI had all this stuff already bookmarked. :)
> Hey MacPac, so how do u know its safe for humans? i mean if it was suitable for humans you would think they would have a separate brand wouldnt u?
poster:JLx
thread:256950
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20030903/msgs/263318.html