5-HTP (5-Hydroxy-Tryptophan) for depression and anxiety?

Feeling depressed or anxious? Can’t sleep? Have a headache? You may want to try picking up some 5-HTP (5-Hydroxy-Trytophan) supplements from your local pharmacy or health food store. 5-HTP comes from the seed pods of the West African plant, Griffonia simplificifolia, and has been linked to serotonin production and melotonin. Serotonin is a brain chemical that is responsible feelings of well-being and melatonin is a hormone that promotes sleep.

5-HTP has been studied extensively. Many studies have found it to be a competent supplement for depression and anxiety disorders; one clinical trial found it to be of equal effectiveness to fluvoxamine, a antidepressant medication that comes with many side effects. In earlier days tryptophan was also proven to be helpful for depression, but since then 5-HTP has been proven to be even more effective than tryptophan. Other studies have found 5-HTP helpful for obesity, migraine headaches and even fibromyalgia treatment.

Many people use 5-HTP to help promote regular sleep cycles. The supplement may be found in capsule, extract and powder forms.

DHEA – Supplemental Sex Hormones

Available in capsules, topical cream, tablets, and as an addition to many combination supplements, DHEA is thought to be a wonder drug that could possibly be a genuine ‘fountain of youth’. DHEA is actually a steroid hormone that is naturally produced by the body’s adrenal glands. Once produced, the body turns it into testosterone and estrogen, male and female sex hormones. DHEA supplementation is said to help with numerous conditions, from cancer and arthritis to schizophrenia and osteoporosis.

Supplemental DHEA is thought to help boost the body’s immune system, increase muscle mass, help with irregular menstrual cycles, depression and menopause, and even help correct erectile dysfunction. Many people swear by DHEA for longevity and a strong libido.

DHEA