Deciphering the Terminology: What the Heck Does THAT Mean?
In my extensive research, I found many words whose definition was nothing but gibberish that I needed to 'decode'. This page is provided to translate all of that complex technical data into simple, usable information.
How is 5-HTP different from Tryptophan, and what does it do?
5-HTP stands for 5-Hydroxytryptophan which is a broken-down version of tryptophan. Tryptophan is one of the 20 standard amino acids that tell the body how to make protein, sugar, and other amino acids from food. It is an essential amino acid, meaning your body cannot make it naturally and it must be part of the foods you include in your diet.
5-HTP, when properly processed in the body, naturally increases serotonin and melatonin chemical levels. Serotonin is the hormone/chemical that controls most of the emotions in the brain as well as some digestion and metabolism functions. Melatonin is the hormone/chemical that tells your body when it's time to sleep and when it's time to be awake, called circadian rhythm, and is triggered by darkness. Most data indicates that the time of day 5-HTP is processed and enters your bloodstream determines which chemical it turns into. It appears that taking 5-HTP earlier in the day (morning or early afternoon) encourages serotonin production while taking it in late afternoon or evening stimulates melatonin production.
Tryptophan is broken-down into 5-HTP when certain genes "react" to its presence. In a low percentage of cases, a person's genetics may prevent the body from performing this conversion, which causes insufficient production of 5-HTP, resulting in low levels of serotonin and melatonin. In other cases, a person's genetics allows for the conversion but requires a higher level of serotonin and/or melatonin in order to function properly.
For people with normal genetics, most serotonin/melatonin deficiencies are caused by improper diet, lack of exercise, excess stress, alcohol or 'recreational' drug consumption, and even taking inappropriately-prescribed drugs. These lifestyle habits and chemicals sabotage the tryptophan-to-5HTP process and use the blood's supply of 5-HTP incorrectly.
That's nice but it's all Greek to me...
Based on all of that mumbo jumbo, we can determine this much:
5-HTP is required for the body to make the chemicals that regulate emotions, digestion, metabolism, and sleep patterns (serotonin and melatonin);
Some people, for genetic reasons, cannot turn tryptophan (from food and/or nutritional supplements) into 5-HTP, which prevents them from making enough serotonin and melatonin;
Other people, for genetic reasons, properly produce sufficient 5-HTP from tryptophan but need more serotonin/melatonin than the rest of the population does to function normally; and
Most people, as a result of poor lifestyle habits or the consumption of recreational drugs/alcohol, improperly use or produce less 5-HTP from tryptophan resulting in a serotonin/melatonin deficiency.
Therefore, bypassing the tryptophan-to-5HTP process by taking over-the-counter 5-HTP supplements may compensate for deficiencies and improve emotional, digestive, overweight, and sleep issues.
Disclaimer: These simplified explanations are based on my understanding of the medical and chemical terms and processes after extensive research. I have made every effort to investigate each word, reaction, process, etc. to the greatest extent. I am, by no means, an expert in either the medical or chemistry fields of study. Please feel free to consult an expert or conduct your own research for verification of any statement on this site.
ATTENTION MEDICAL AND CHEMISTRY PROFESSIONALS: If I have misinterpreted, misstated, and/or misrepresented any of the details of tryptophan and/or 5-HTP processes or definitions in relation to human physiology, PLEASE provide me with the correct information so I can update the statements on this site. Thanks!
In my extensive research, I found many words whose definition was nothing but gibberish that I needed to 'decode'. This page is provided to translate all of that complex technical data into simple, usable information.
How is 5-HTP different from Tryptophan, and what does it do?
5-HTP stands for 5-Hydroxytryptophan which is a broken-down version of tryptophan. Tryptophan is one of the 20 standard amino acids that tell the body how to make protein, sugar, and other amino acids from food. It is an essential amino acid, meaning your body cannot make it naturally and it must be part of the foods you include in your diet.
5-HTP, when properly processed in the body, naturally increases serotonin and melatonin chemical levels. Serotonin is the hormone/chemical that controls most of the emotions in the brain as well as some digestion and metabolism functions. Melatonin is the hormone/chemical that tells your body when it's time to sleep and when it's time to be awake, called circadian rhythm, and is triggered by darkness. Most data indicates that the time of day 5-HTP is processed and enters your bloodstream determines which chemical it turns into. It appears that taking 5-HTP earlier in the day (morning or early afternoon) encourages serotonin production while taking it in late afternoon or evening stimulates melatonin production.
Tryptophan is broken-down into 5-HTP when certain genes "react" to its presence. In a low percentage of cases, a person's genetics may prevent the body from performing this conversion, which causes insufficient production of 5-HTP, resulting in low levels of serotonin and melatonin. In other cases, a person's genetics allows for the conversion but requires a higher level of serotonin and/or melatonin in order to function properly.
For people with normal genetics, most serotonin/melatonin deficiencies are caused by improper diet, lack of exercise, excess stress, alcohol or 'recreational' drug consumption, and even taking inappropriately-prescribed drugs. These lifestyle habits and chemicals sabotage the tryptophan-to-5HTP process and use the blood's supply of 5-HTP incorrectly.
That's nice but it's all Greek to me...
Based on all of that mumbo jumbo, we can determine this much:
5-HTP is required for the body to make the chemicals that regulate emotions, digestion, metabolism, and sleep patterns (serotonin and melatonin);
Some people, for genetic reasons, cannot turn tryptophan (from food and/or nutritional supplements) into 5-HTP, which prevents them from making enough serotonin and melatonin;
Other people, for genetic reasons, properly produce sufficient 5-HTP from tryptophan but need more serotonin/melatonin than the rest of the population does to function normally; and
Most people, as a result of poor lifestyle habits or the consumption of recreational drugs/alcohol, improperly use or produce less 5-HTP from tryptophan resulting in a serotonin/melatonin deficiency.
Therefore, bypassing the tryptophan-to-5HTP process by taking over-the-counter 5-HTP supplements may compensate for deficiencies and improve emotional, digestive, overweight, and sleep issues.
Disclaimer: These simplified explanations are based on my understanding of the medical and chemical terms and processes after extensive research. I have made every effort to investigate each word, reaction, process, etc. to the greatest extent. I am, by no means, an expert in either the medical or chemistry fields of study. Please feel free to consult an expert or conduct your own research for verification of any statement on this site.
ATTENTION MEDICAL AND CHEMISTRY PROFESSIONALS: If I have misinterpreted, misstated, and/or misrepresented any of the details of tryptophan and/or 5-HTP processes or definitions in relation to human physiology, PLEASE provide me with the correct information so I can update the statements on this site. Thanks!
