Question:
Has anyone heard of 5HTP?

They say when something sounds too good to be true it usually is so I'm guessing this 5HTP thing will probably turn out that way too. I heard that it is a natural product that totally suppresses sugar and carb cravings. Could this be true? (I doubt it but I can hope, can't I?) If it's true where do you get it? Does anyone have any personal experience they can share? Thanks!    — ronascott (posted on July 26, 2002)

July 26, 2002
Remember, if "gimmick" diets worked there would be no need for WLS. Don't get sucked in, if it sounds too good to be true, IT IS! If you have had WLS, don't worry about trying to speed things up by trying "gimmick diets". The weight will come off without it, believe it!
   — Connie M.

July 27, 2002
I believe that 5-HTP is the precursor to serotonin. Meaning that when it is digested, the result is serotonin. Low serotonin levels are what makes us moody and irritable,and makes us anger easily. Carbs makes the serotonin levels increase in the body, thus producing a "happier", more even mood. So, the way I understand it, 5-HTP, when digested, helps us feel better. The caution here is that if you are taking an antidepressant (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) like Paxil, Zoloft, and others, the body is using the serotonin that we have, so 5-HTP would increase its levels, perhaps too high. There is a very bad condition when we get too much serotonin in our bodies that cause the shakes, a state of hyperactivity, and (I think) heart palpitations. Before I took 5-HTP, I would definitely ask my PCP. I did some research on this topic for grad school about 4 years ago, so this is all from memory (I guess that's my disclaimer- this is no substitute for medical advice). I did buy some 5-HTP a while back but never used it because I was taking Zoloft. I was too scared. Good luck to you!
   — Loretta E.

June 29, 2009
Hey you can check out <a href=http://www.5htp.us>5htp.us</a> for more info, they have a ton of good articles on it
   — ptpatil