Posted by zefdie on July 28, 2004, at 20:46:57
In reply to Re: Dosage for l-tryphophan?, posted by Marty mc Fly on July 28, 2004, at 19:44:04
> Whoa !
>
> There is a big difference between 5-htp and Tryptophan. Tryptophan is a natural body amino acid and 5-htp is not. They are both precursors to serotonin, but 5-htp is one step closer. That doesn't mean it works better. For some people 5-htp works better and for some tryptophan. And for some people 5-htp turns to serotonin in the body before it can even reach the brain (my experience). Taking b-vitamins along with 5-htp can also reinforce this process.
>
> As for your question: Tryptophan standard doses are 1000-2000 mg per day. Take it on an empty stomach, 3 hours after a meal. 20 minutes after ingestion, consume something with a high glycemic index, to induce a burst of insulin. Insulin clears from the blood most of the amino acids that compete with tryptophan. Tryptophan can reach the brain easier and more serotonin is produced.
>
> I personally use 1600 mg per day 3 hours after dinner. I don't experience drowsiness or fatigue, so that's not the reason I use it right then. How much do you use, and at what time ? Do you take it in divided doses ?
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>Thanks for your help! I haven't started taking it yet. It's actually still in the mail. I don't even know how to measure out the doses: I got powder and don't have a scale.
I figured I would try this rather than 5-htp because of just what you mentioned about serotonin and serotonin precurors. I also bought nutritional yeast powder and this, which and will try it after a length of time with l-tryptophan (unless people here think I should do it the other way around. Amino acids aren't exactly my forte):
http://www.iherb.com/highermind.html
I also bought NADH. I'm not going to start downing these supplements all at once, but it was worth it to take advantage of the flat shipping.
Thanks!
poster:zefdie
thread:371641
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20040718/msgs/371837.html