Learning & education: Supplements
5-hydroxytryptophan, or 5-HTP for short, is the intermediate metabolite of the essential amino acid tryptophan in the process of serotonin biosynthesis [1]. That is to say, it is an immediate precursor to serotonin [1,2].
Melatonin is widely regarded as an important hormone that helps regulate and synchronize sleep rhythm, including sleep-wake timing [1] and seasonal rhythmicity aspects across vertebrates. It also has lesser-known roles as an antioxidant [2]. We have touched briefly on melatonin in a previous article about sleep hormones and their effect on the GABA system here.
In this article, we are going to focus on 7 ways to naturally increase GABA in the brain, including cool tech and some awesomely therapeutic orange and lavender troches!
Vitamin D is a steroid hormone and micronutrient that has many biological functions. It occurs mainly in two forms, D3 (cholecalciferol) and D2 (ergocalciferol), but also as the vitamin D metabolite 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) [1].
How can you know if the supplements you are taking are safe and effective when (a) the supplement industry is completely unregulated by the FDA and (b) we have the unenviable task of choosing from millions of products and thousands of brands on the market?
This article will help you navigate. Let's dive in!
First-pass metabolism, otherwise known as the "first-pass effect." This phenomenon relates mainly to drugs and other supplements that are consumed orally. The concentration of a drug or supplement that we ingest is often not the amount that is eventually seen in the blood (systemic circulation).
AI-generated responses are for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice. Accuracy, completeness, or timeliness are not guaranteed. Use at your own risk.
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