Posted by Larry Hoover on December 10, 2004, at 7:34:59
In reply to Re: L-tryptophan or 5-HTP; a few questions Larry » MKB, posted by cache-monkey on December 8, 2004, at 18:13:03
> << Larry said he takes veterinary tryptophan, which is safe. However, I found the website www.healthrecovery.com and ordered from them.>>
>
> I've seen the veterinary stuff, too. It looks like it's much cheaper than the price on healthrecovery.com. I'm a little sketched out by the vet stuff, but Larry (Hoover, I assume) seems to know what he's talking about.Oh, it's much cheaper, indeed. Having hung around the horsey set now and again, over the years, I just cannot believe that anybody would give anything but the best to their horseflesh.
You did check out the cost here? http://www.buygpdirect.com/gpefeed.htm
> << Making and selling the real Tryptophan is much more complicated than making 5HTP. That is probably one reason you don't find many companies selling it.
I think there's more to it than that. The FDA regulation for sale of tryptophan to humans makes the vendor liable for the quality of the product. That is unique, among all supplements. I think that companies are using that to gouge the public on the price.
> I think www.healthrecovery.com sells Tryptophan because they know it's better and safer than 5HTP. They also use it in their clinic as they treat patients. Are you aware that many psychiatrists prescribe Tryptophan for depression? I believe it is still closely regulated in Canada and in the UK. >>
> Yeah, that actually makes sense. I guess healthrecovery could more easily sell 5-HTP, but chose to go with the tryptophan.
I think it's wiser to reinforce your body's natural processes, than to intervene with a reactive intermediate. In the synthesis of serotonin from tryptophan, which occurs only in cells utilizing serotonin as a neurotransmitter, the half-life of 5-HTP is measure in microseconds. It's not floating around in the cell, or in the blood.
> << I hope Larry jumps in here and explains this a little better. Anyway, I've been on it now for about a month and I plan to continue. I don't see how it can "poop out" since it is a natural amino acid your body needs. Sorry I'm not better able to explain it, but I'm learning. >>
>
> Hmm. I read about poop-out with 5-HTP on this board somewhere, but maybe that's different since it's not an amino acid.Uh, yes it is an amino acid. It's the next step, the decarboxylation to serotonin, that makes it no longer an amino acid.
> I guess the worry is that the serotonin transporter becomes more active in response to the increased serotonin flow and starts sucking more back up after a while. (I.e. for some people depression might be caused by an overactive reuptake system...)
There are many theories, but no way to know. The only evidence we have, or can have, at the present time, is evidence of what works or what does not. We cannot know why. Yet.
> << Sorry I'm not better able to explain it, but I'm learning. >>
>
> No worries; I'm learning, as well. It would also be nice to hear Larry's take, but your input is definitely appreciated.
>
> Best,
> cache-monkeySorry for going AWOL. I was attending to other business. I presented a seminar last week on landlord/tenant law to an poverty advocacy group. And I've been working on gathering evidence of the invasion of Babble by a blocked poster.
Lar
poster:Larry Hoover
thread:425800
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20041123/msgs/427111.html