Posted by Pyewacket on December 11, 2003, at 20:39:40
In reply to supplements » Pyewacket, posted by Francesco on December 11, 2003, at 14:11:47
> How did you get to chose those supplements ? Why 5-htp rather than triptophan ?
I chose L-tyrosine because it is a precursor to norepinephrine/adrenaline (among other things). I was already taking Edronax, an NARI, so the switch to L-tyrosine was to replace Edronax.
SAM-e was the last supplement I started taking. I started taking it after seeing it in a health supplement store and decided it sounded interesting. Actually, the mechanisms that make SAM-e an antidepressant are not especially well understood, but its role as a methyl donor is probably related to its antidepressant effect. It works for me. I would warn bipolar people against using it since it initially gave me a feeling of hypomania.
As for 5-HTP vs. L-tryptophan, 5-HTP is a direct precursor to serotonin. That is all it is used for in the body, and so it is far more efficient than L-tryptophan in terms of producing serotonin. Also, sometimes L-tryptophan was (is?) made using bacterial fermentation. The 5-HTP I take is plant derived, and I think that probably reduces the risk of contamination.
I chose 5-HTP to make me feel less depressed and lonely, and to help me get a good night's sleep. It certainly does that! As an added bonus, it suppresses my appetite ever so slightly.
poster:Pyewacket
thread:286502
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20031204/msgs/288960.html