5-Hydroxytryptophan

* enhances serotonin production

* increases serotonin levels for sleep enhancement, decreased sugar cravings, and aids better stress management

* can be taken with meals without competing with other amino acids

* includes vitamin B6 for optimal activity

* made without flowing agents that can inhibit bioavailability

5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) is the intermediate metabolite produced when the body initiates the process of converting the essential amino acid L-tryptophan to serotonin. Serotonin levels in the body are associated with the regulation of sleep, mood, aggression, appetite, temperature, sexual behavior, and pain sensation.

Supplementing with 5-HTP to facilitate serotonin production is preferable to supplementing with L-tryptophan because, unlike L-tryptophan, 5-HTP cannot be shunted into niacin or protein production. Supplementation with 5-HTP bypasses the conversion of L-tryptophan into 5-HTP by the enzyme tryptophan hydroxylase, the rate-limiting step in the synthesis of serotonin and a step that can be inhibited by a number of factors, including stress, insulin resistance, increasing age, and deficiencies of vitamin C, folate, and iron.

5-HTP is well absorbed when taken orally, with about 70 percent ending up in the bloodstream.