- Indicated for depression and low mood.
- Increases production of serotonin (influencing sleep, appetite and mood).
- Has anti-fatigue properties.
5-HTP supplement is a natural extract of Griffonia Simplicifolia that acts as a serotonin percursor, often highlighted for its anti-fatigue properties and recommended as an effective, natural anti-depressant, now available to buy at Supersmart.
The molecule 5-HTP, or 5-Hydroxytryptophan, is found in its natural state in the seeds of Griffonia Simplicifolia, a climbing plant indigenous to Central and West Africa.
5-HTP is a derivative of the amino acid tryptophan. Once absorbed by the body, 5-HTP crosses the blood-brain barrier and is converted in the brain into serotonin, an inhibitory neurotransmitter involved in many biological processes. Serotonin plays a role in controlling circadian rhythms or bio-rhythms and is thus central to the regulation of sleep, anxiety, appetite and mood.
Given its role in regulating the body’s biorhythms, maintaining serotonin at sufficient levels is clearly essential. It can be produced in various ways including through the conversion of 5-HTP. 5-HTP is the direct precursor of serotonin, produced naturally by the body from tryptophan.
Tryptophan is an essential amino acid which means it cannot be produced by the body and has be obtained from external sources, either from certain foods or from dietary supplements such as our product L-Tryptophan. Ingested tryptophan is then first converted into 5-HTP and then into serotonin, by the action of vitamin B6. Research has enabled this serotonin conversion process to be simplified by extracting 5-HTP from certain plants and formulating it into dietary supplements. As an immediate serotonin precursor, 5-HTP benefits thus include facilitating serotonin production in the brain.
5-HTP’s role as a serotonin precursor has made it the subject of numerous studies.
Our product has been specially formulated to offer the properties and benefits of 5-HTP. Each capsule contains 50 mg, making the recommended 5-HTP dosage two capsules a day. For optimal efficacy, they should be taken on an empty stomach, ideally two hours after a meal.
Because of this compound’s effects, certain precautions are necessary. This supplement should not be taken at the same time as anti-depressant drugs and it is important not to exceed 200mg of 5-HTP in 24 hours without medical supervision. If in any doubt, seek guidance from your therapist.
Buy 5-HTP capsules to support serotonin production.
Daily serving: 2 capsules Number of servings per bottle: 45 |
Quantity per serving |
5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) (standardised extract of 102 mg of Griffonia simplicifolia standardised to 98% 5-HTP) | 100 mg |
Other ingredients: Acacia gum. |
The formulation of Lactoxira draws on the very latest advances in neurobiology: we now know that the microorganisms that populate our digestive tract communicate with the brain (via neurotransmitter synthesis and the indirect release of cell-signalling substances) and that they influence our mood, thoughts and behaviour. This major discovery is revolutionising the way we treat those suffering from low mood, depression, and mood disorders who generally have a highly compromised microbiome.
The probiotic formulation Lactoxira is aimed at anyone prone to problems with mood and motivation:
Lactoxira is also for anyone with a lifestyle that doesn’t support a healthy mental state (smoking, stress, excess alcohol consumption, lack of physical activity, lack of sleep, antibiotic treatment, nutritional deficiencies, particularly in vitamins D, B6, B12 and B9, ageing …), now available to buy at Supersmart.
Lactoxira’s effects on mood and psychological state.
Probiotics are living microorganisms that can have a positive effect on our gut flora (1). They are associated with numerous improvements to health (relating to gastrointestinal problems (2), particularly irritable bowel syndrome (3-4), as well as to their ability to lower blood pressure (5) and reduce the risk of eczema (6)), but it seems their therapeutic potential offers even greater promise.
Over the last few years, a number of studies have revealed the huge potential of probiotics for improving mood disorders and fighting depression (7). Scientists now understand that depressive disorders are in fact psycho-neuro-immunological disorders and that probiotic treatment can bring improvements. Two mechanisms of action have been discovered:
This is one of the most striking discoveries of recent years: bacteria in the gut are able to communicate with the brain via the vagus nerve (referred to as the microbiome-gut-brain axis (8)). Even more amazingly, they can produce neurotransmitters identical to those found in the brain (9). Several strains of Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria secrete the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA (10), production of which is significantly reduced in people with depression and anxiety (11). Other species of bacteria produce acetylcholine (a neurotransmitter involved in memory, concentration and mood (12)) and serotonin (a tryptophan metabolite involved in regulating mood (13)).
These discoveries explain why gut flora is now considered to be a virtual endocrine organ, capable of influencing the central nervous system through the microbiome-gut-brain axis (14-15). Studies have shown that the use of probiotics increases levels of certain neurotransmitters in the frontal cortex, thus reducing symptoms of depression (16).
The second mechanism of action of psychobiotics is based on their ability to reduce levels of inflammation. Scientists had observed that depressed individuals had a number of abnormally high inflammatory markers (17-19), but they had not made the link with their gut flora. We now know that probiotics act against inflammation by impeding the growth of pathogenic bacteria in the small intestine, strengthening the intestinal barrier, reducing bacterial translocation and decreasing the number of inflammatory cytokines and toxins circulating in the body.
Probiotics thus improve mood disorders as a result of their multiple effects against inflammation (2-23). These psychological benefits have indeed been confirmed by two randomised, controlled clinical trials (24-25).
Are probiotics effective at treating depression?
“A combination of several strains of probiotic (Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei and Bifidobacterium bifidum) slightly reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety.” L’AAFP (https://www.aafp.org/afp/2018/0315/od2.html)
There are many reasons for taking probiotics to improve psychological health, but if we limit ourselves to five, they are as follows:
Daily dose: 2 capsules Number of doses per pack: 30 |
Amount per dose |
Lactobacillus salivarius BIO6313 (CNCM I-5114) | 28 x 109CFU |
Lactobacillus plantarum BIO1096 (CNCM I-4909) | 12 x 109CFU |
Lactobacillus casei BIO5773 (CNCM I-5094) | 12 x 109CFU |
Lactobacillus brevis BIO5542 (CNCM I-5064) | 12 x 109CFU |
Lactococcus lactis BIO6722 (ISPA CNR SV21) | 12 x 109CFU |
Bifidobacterium bifidum BIO5480 (CNCM I-5091) | 12 x 109CFU |
Bifidobacterium longum BIO6283 (CNCM I-5097) | 11 x 109CFU |
Bifidobacterium lactis BIO5764 (CNCM I-5093) | 11 x 109CFU |
Other ingredients: acacia gum. |
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