Natural Compound Boosts Serotonin Levels, Supports Healthy Weight, New Study Suggests

AHA Publisher — Mon, 24 Oct 2022 07:00:48 +0000

Lori Alton via NaturalHealth365 – According to the Centers for Disease Control, a shocking 73 percent of American adults are currently either overweight or obese – setting the stage for soaring rates of type 2 diabetes and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. In addition, experts report that the incidence of major depression – with symptoms of fatigue, anxiety, and insomnia – is on the rise in the United States as well. What could be behind this epidemic of less-than-optimal physical and psychological health? Many researchers believe that low levels of serotonin – a neurotransmitter needed for normal appetite, restful sleep, and stable mood – can play a role. Recent studies highlight the potential of a natural compound, 5-HTP, to enhance serotonin and promote well-being. In fact, a 2020 trial suggested that 5-HTP could help ease symptoms of depression – while other research has showcased its ability to encourage healthy eating habits. Let’s take a closer look at some of the possible benefits of 5-HTP. Serotonin-Producing 5-HTP May Reduce Unhealthy Food Cravings and Decrease Appetite 5-HTP, or 5-hydroxytryptophan, is made in the human body from tryptophan, an amino acid found in various foods, including poultry, milk, and bananas. (Unlike tryptophan, 5-HTP does not exist naturally in food. 5-HTP supplements are derived from an African plant known as Griffonia simplicifolia). After animal studies showed that 5-HTP appeared to reduce depression-induced excessive food intake, researchers began studying its effects on humans. In a 2017 study published in Brain and Behavior, participants were given either 5-HTP or vitamin C before undergoing MRI scans – and the results were fascinating. The researchers found that a “brain response for protein-rich foods” was more likely to occur in the 5-HTP group. In other words, the 5-HTP appeared to stimulate an inclination for healthier fare! (High-protein foods are more likely to help a person maintain a healthy weight than other choices, such as sugar- and fat-laden processed foods). Another controlled study showed that four weeks of using a 5-HTP oral spray led to greater feelings of fullness for overweight female participants, allowing them to decrease food intake and exhibit small but statistically significant reductions in body mass. The good news: While it’s by no means a “silver bullet” against obesity, 5-HTP may suppress appetite and reduce cravings for unhealthy foods, thereby helping to support a weight loss journey. 5-HTP Shows Promise in Enhancing Mood Low levels of serotonin (also known as the “feel-good” chemical) have been linked to depression and anxiety – leading some experts to speculate that serotonin-producing 5-hydroxytryptophan can help address these problems. In a recent controlled trial published in the European Journal of Neurology, researchers found that 50 mg of 5-HTP daily for a month caused significant improvements in depressive symptoms when compared to placebo. In fact, some researchers even maintain that 5-HTP may work as well as prescription medications to treat patients with mild-to-moderate depression. 5-HTP is believed to be particularly useful for patients who are resistant to pharmaceutical drugs or who have problems tolerating the side effects. Another “plus” for this calming compound is its ability to affect serotonin levels swiftly – unlike prescription antidepressants, which can take weeks to reach full effectiveness. “Catch More Zzzzs” – 5-HTP Boosts Levels of the “Sleep Hormone” Serotonin can be converted in the body into melatonin, a hormone important in regulating sleep. As 5-hydroxytryptophan spurs serotonin production, scientists believe it may enhance melatonin levels as well. While more research is needed, one promising 2018 study examined the effects of a combination of 5-HTP and GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid, a neurotransmitter with calming effects). The team found that the combination helped to induce sleep, enhance sleep quality and support longer sleep duration – all encouraging findings for those struggling with insomnia and sleep disturbances such as night terrors, interrupted sleep, and sleepwalking. By the way, 5-HTP may also help reduce the frequency and severity of migraine headaches and relieve the muscle pain, sleep problems, and fatigue that can accompany fibromyalgia. 5-HTP May Soothe Jangled Nerves and Restore Restful Sleep Naturally Opt for a high-quality formulation from a reputable vendor. The label should clearly display a USP or NSF seal, which ensures that the product is free of impurities. Natural healers typically recommend 5-HTP amounts ranging from 50 mg to 400 mg a day – but consult your integrative physician before supplementing. (Important: Don’t attempt to treat depression, or any other condition, with 5-HTP unless you are under the guidance of a qualified physician. It may interact negatively with certain antidepressants and sedative medications, increasing the amounts of serotonin in the body to excessive levels). While researchers are still investigating the effects of 5-hydroxytryptophan, some users swear by its ability to promote sleep, regulate appetite, soothe anxiety and promote a calm, stable mood. This intriguing natural supplement certainly deserves further exploration. Sources for this article include: Healthline.com NIH.gov MedicalNewsToday.com CDC.gov To read the original article click here.

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WARNING to “Healthy Weight” Individuals: Fatty Liver Health Problems Could Be Brewing Inside

AHA Publisher — Thu, 10 Sep 2020 07:00:03 +0000

Joy Jensen via NaturalHealth365 – Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become an epidemic in the U.S. – with over 100 million people being affected by this disease. To make matters even worse, most people have no idea it’s happening to them. To be clear: poor liver function has the potential to progress to more serious health issues like, chronic liver inflammation, scarring and cancer. In the past, experts simply believed that NAFLD affected primarily overweight individuals. And, while that’s true that obesity is connected to a fatty liver – there is a much bigger problem (no pun intended) for those walking around with a “healthy” body weight. In fact, new research reveals that even those who are not overweight can be affected by a fatty liver and researchers uncovered evidence that NAFLD presents itself in different ways based upon both body mass index (BMI) and gender. SHOCKING Truth About “Non-Obese Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease” Conventionally-speaking, NAFLD is commonly associated with high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, and excess body weight. No doubt, we’ve seen this disease explode in numbers – within the U.S. – as a direct proportion to the obesity epidemic. However, it’s recently become more common in Asia despite the fact that those living in that area of the world tend to notbe obese compared to the population in Europe and the United States. So, you can imagine the surprise of researchers when they discovered “non-obese NAFLD.” To make matters even more shocking: researchers discovered that non-obese NAFLD has a higher mortality ratethan that of obese NAFLD. Normally, increased visceral fat and reduced skeletal mass present as strong risk factors for the development of fatty liver in patients with obesity. However, for non-obese NAFLD, researchers didn’t have this type of insight and started looking at both non-obese and obese patients. They discovered that a quarter of the both males and females had non-obese fatty liver disease. Researchers were surprised to find that these individuals had lower muscle strength and skeletal muscle mass than patients with NAFLD who also were diagnosed with obesity. Belly fat was low in these patients, and the study found only a modest increase in insulin resistance and liver fatty accumulation. Researchers commented that these results show that there are key differences in how fatty liver disease presents itself in men and women who aren’t obese. And it’s a reminder that even individuals without obesity are at risk for fatty liver disease. Want to AVOID COVID-Related Complications? Read this Very Carefully Recently, studies found that patients with fatty liver disease had a great risk of hospitalization with COVID-19 due to COVID-related complications. With this new study on non-obese NAFLD, we now know that even more people are likely at risk for this increased risk of coronavirus complications. Bottom line: we need to have a greater appreciation (and respect) for healthy liver function. Simply put, a healthy liver is crucial for us to enjoy a healthy life. Liver function literally affects every organ and system of the body from hormone production, blood sugar regulation and the removal of harmful toxins from the body. If your liver struggles, so will you. Find out how poor liver function can increase the risk of autoimmune disorders, cancer, diabetes, heart disease plus much more! Click to to sign up now for the Fatty Liver Docu-Class created by Jonathan Landsman. This event starts Oct. 6, 2020. Don’t miss it … Register Today! Sources for this article include: Eurekalert.org, NaturalHealth365.com To read the original article click here. For more articles from NaturalHealth365 click here.

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Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease Archives - Amazing Health Advances

Natural Compound Boosts Serotonin Levels, Supports Healthy Weight, New Study Suggests

WARNING to “Healthy Weight” Individuals: Fatty Liver Health Problems Could Be Brewing Inside