5HTP & Rhodiola rosea

[Guest guest]

Mme. Bouchard asked:

> I am curious about 5 HTP and Rhodiola rosea.

> My question is:

> 1) Do others take either/or both - how much and what have been your

> results?

> 2) Is it OK to take them together if so in what quantities and what

> time of

> day.

I do not personally take 5 HTP, but I offer you Dr. D's post on the

matter below. I do, however, take Dr. D's product Catechol, which

contains Rhodiola rosea. I take two capsules, three times daily, with

meals. I take a few extra whenever I'm stressed out or have a lot of

hard, unpleasant work to do. They keep me focused. I'm prone to ADD

and depression, and I stay medication-free using Catechol and the BTD.

I feel like if I worked out more, I would need less of them, as they do

get a bit pricey in the quantities that I use. But, it's a lot better

than poisoning my body with amphetamines (ADDERALL, " The Evil One " ).

It's actually cheaper too. A month's supply of ADDERALL is $60, but

Catechol is closer to $30, and it actually treats the cause, not just

the symptoms.

Cheers,

The Ask Dr. D'Adamo Question For 26 December 2001

5HT AND ABO BLOOD GROUPS

QUESTION: Is the mood enhancer 5-HTP safe for all blood types? Thanks

for all your great work ! The O diet has already done wonders for me in

just two months and I'm feeling better every day.

ANSWER: 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) is an amino acid that is the

intermediate step between tryptophan and the important brain chemical

serotonin. There is a considerable amount of evidence that suggests that

low serotonin levels are a common consequence of modern living. The

lifestyle and dietary practices of many people living in this

stress-filled era results in lowered levels of serotonin within the

brain.

Personally, I tend to not recommend 5HTP for my type A or type B

patients since there are studies suggesting that 5HTP increases cortisol

levels. (1) Cortisol is an adrenal-derived stress hormone known to be

produced in greater amounts under stress by individuals who are type A

or type B. In one study, blood group B had the highest elevation in

cortisol after provocation, followed by group A. However, group A might

be more at risk from elevated cortisol levels since their levels rise

almost as high as group B, but do not drop back down as low. (2,3)

For type A's and B's I recommend using Boerhaavia preparations such as

those found in

1. elli I, Mainini E, Mazzi C. Effect of 5-hydroxytryptophan on

the secretion of PRL, GH, TSH, and cortisol in obesity. Minerva

Endocrinol 1992;17:121-6.

2. Neumann JK, Arbogast BW, Chi DS, Arbogast LY. Effects of stress and

blood type on cortisol and VLDL toxicity preventing activity. Psychosom

Med. 1992 Sep-Oct;54(5):612-9.

3. Locong AH, Roberge AG. Cortisol and catecholamines response to

venisection by humans with different blood groups. Clin Biochem. 1985

Feb;18(1):67-9

4. Mungantiwar AA, Nair AM, Shinde UA, Saraf MN. Effect of stress on

plasma and adrenal cortisol levels and immune responsiveness in rats:

modulation by alkaloidal fraction of Boerhaavia diffusa. Fitoterapia

1997;6:498-500.

On Monday, March 18, 2002, at 12:23 PM, J. Bouchard wrote:

> Hi All,

> I am curious about 5 HTP and Rhodiola rosea. I have taken 5HTP before

> with

> great success [it helps me to sleep, eases mild depression and stops

> carb

> cravings]. I read in LR4YT that Rhodiola Rosea is great for O's and also

> assists with depression but also helps maintain energy levels and

> increases

> attention span and memory.

>

> My question is

> 1) Do others take either/or both - how much and what have been your

> results?

> 2) Is it OK to take them together if so in what quantities and what

> time of

> day.

>

> Thanks for any info you can offer!

>

> cj

>

> http://www.dadamo.com/napharm/store3/template2/catechol.htm