James Davis

Natrol 5 HTP Reviews - What Is It?

WARNING: DO NOT BUY Natrol 5 HTP Until You Read This Review!
Is it a Scam? Does It Really Work? Check Ingredients, Side Effects and More!

Natrol 5 HTP is a new dietary supplement that promises to promote good mood and control appetite. It is available in the form of time-release pills that aim to increase serotonin levels in the body. It is a chemical substance that affects our behavior, thought, emotions, appetite, and sleep. The product is said to be natural source of an amino acids. Its regular use helps to provide a positive outlook, improves relaxation, and helps to control appetite. Natrol 5-HTP is 100% vegetarian and releases nutrients slowly and steadily over a period of 12 hours. 5-HTP comes from 5-Hydroxytryptophan, a drug-free plant-derived amino acid that takes part in the synthesis of serotonin in the human body. This chemical messenger plays an important role in enhancing mood.

The supplement has a strawberry flavor and can be taken anytime. Water is not needed. It starts acting fast and does not form habit, according to the manufacturer. The company behind the product is called Natrol. It offers a lot of other products which are grouped on their official website by health benefit: Beauty and Anti-Aging, Brain Health, Bone and Joint Support, Energy Support, Digestive Health, GENERAL H Health Sleep Support, Heart Health, Weight Management, Mood and Stress, Women's Health. The official website is nicely made but is lacks information about the ingredients and possible contraindication of products.

Ingredients of Natrol 5 HTP - Does It Really Work? Is It a Scam?

The main ingredient in the supplement is 5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan). It is a by-product of L-tryptophan, the protein building block. It is naturally contained in the human body and can be commercially produced from the seeds of Griffonia simplicifolia, an African plant. 5-HTP is used for the treatment of some disorders such as depression, insomnia, anxiety, tension-type headaches, migraine, fibromyalgia, obesity, premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), premenstrual syndrome (PMS), seizure disorder, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and Parkinson's disease.

Natrol 5 HTP

How does Natrol 5 HTP work? Well, it works in the human central nervous system and brain by increasing the release of serotonin. This is the chemical that influences many of our everyday aspects such as appetite, sexual behavior, sleep, body temperature, and pain sensation. Since the product increases the production of serotonin, it is used for a few diseases where serotonin plays a vital role including obesity, insomnia, depression, and some other health conditions.

According to webmd.com, Natrol 5 HTP is possibly effective for the treatment of depression, as shown by a small clinical research. A few studies have defined that 150-3000 mg of the supplement daily can improve symptoms of depression. The product has to be used for at least 2-4 weeks. An early research demonstrates that 5-HTP can be useful as an antidepressant for some people.

Unfortunately, Natrol 5 HTP proved to be completely ineffective for the treatment of Down syndrome. According to one research, infants with Down syndrome who received 5-HTP did not show any improvement in their physical activity or in the health of their muscles. Other research demonstrated that the drug does not influence the development of muscles in infants until 3-4 years of age. However, there is supposition that taking 5-HTP in combination with conventional prescription medicines can improve social skills, development, and language skills of kids.

There is insufficient evidence that Natrol 5 HTP can relieve anxiety. Early research demonstrated that taking 25-150 mg of the drug every day in combination with carbidopa can decrease anxiety in people with anxiety disorders. At the same time, higher doses (225 mg daily) can make the condition worse. Unfortunately, the dose of 5-HTP in Natrol 5 HTP is unknown. There is insufficient evidence for the product's effectiveness for dealing with panic disorders and nervous system disorder.

Other ingredients in Natrol 5 HTP include cellulose, hypromellose, dibasic calcium phosphate, silica, methylcellulose, magnesium stearate, stearic acid, glycerin. The product is said to contain no wheat, yeast, corn, egg, milk, starch, soy, artificial colors or flavors, glutens, added sugar, or preservatives.

Customer Reviews - Does It Have Any Side Effects?

The manufacturer of Natrol 5 HTP does not take care about informing their potential customers of possible side effects associated with the use of the supplement. In general, the product is safe for adults when taken by mouth appropriately (in doses up to 400 mg a day). Natrol 5 HTP should not be used for longer than one year. There are people who have taken the product and developed eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome (EMS), a serious condition the main symptom of which is blood abnormalities (eosinophilia) and extreme muscle tenderness (myalgia). Many people believe that this condition is caused by a contaminant or an accidental ingredient in some 5-HTP products. Natrol 5 HTP may be one of them, because the full ingredient list of the product is not provided on the official website. There is lack of scientific evidence to demonstrate whether EMS is caused by 5-HTP or not. More studies are required. In any case, 5-HTP should be used cautiously.

Natrol 5 HTP may cause such side effects as stomach pain, sexual problems, heartburn, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, drowsiness, and muscle problems. Large doses of Natrol 5 HTP (from 6-10 grams daily) can lead to muscle spasms and severe stomach problems. Children should not use 5-HTP in the doses higher than 5 mg/kg daily. As Natrol 5 HTP can affect a serotonin production in the body, one should avoid taking the supplement at least two weeks before and after a planned surgery. The matter is that some drugs taken by such patients can also affect serotonin. Let's check what people are saying about using this product in real life.

"My husband has taken 50mg of Natrol 5 HTP three times a day about a year to treat his depression. At first, it seemed to help, but then the effect decreased until disappeared completely. In the end, he even started feeling worse and had to refuse from the supplement after a couple of weeks"

"I have used 5-HTP from other brands and they worked well, but Natrol 5 HTP does not affect my mood in a positive way, on the contrary, it makes me angry. Besides, I started suffering from terrible stomachache and heartburn. I had to take Ulcetrol and Glutamine to treat my stomachache"

"I had been using Natrol 5HTP to deal with my anxiety, depression, food cravings, but, unfortunately, this drug didn't work for me. It gave me migraine headaches and daily nausea. I started to feel sad again. I am going to look for a good alternative"

Where To Buy Natrol 5 HTP?

Natrol 5-HTP can be bought from a number of retail stores. The cost may slightly differ from site to site. For example, the cost of 30 capsules on Walgreens is $17. You will find it on Amazon, GNC or Walmart.

My Final Summary

I cannot recommend Natrol 5 HTP to usage due to the number of drawbacks. First, this supplement doesn't prove to be effective for your mood as it is claimed on the official website. Secondly, it is associated with a great number of negative reviews. Many people report experiencing unpleasant side effects when using this product. If you have any problems in your emotional life, I advise you looking for a more effective and safer alternative available on the market.