Is Serotain™ a Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor (MAOI)?
Bioassays support the historical data which shows the natural 5-HTP in Serotain™ does not inhibit monoamine oxidase which increases its safety. MAOI's should be accompanied by a caution label warning consumers that the consumption of yellow cheese, red wine and other foods containing tyramine may cause a hypertensive crisis while taking this medication(11).
How Does Serotain™ Compare to Tryptophan?
The natural 5-HTP in Serotain™ is readily absorbed from an oral dose with approximately 70% bioavailability and easily crosses the blood brain barrier(2). The absorption of tryptophan from the intestine is significantly less than 5-HTP from the intestine and much of the absorbed portion is metabolized by enzymes found in the liver(3).
In a double-blind comparative study, tryptophan was not as effective as an antidepressant as was 5-HTP(4).
Why Use Serotain™ Instead of St. John's Wort?
Because there are many potentially active compounds in St. John's wort it is very difficult to determine its precise mechanism of action(1).
Independent bioassay results indicate that Serotain™ appears to be safer and significantly more effective than St. John's wort 0.3% extract in increasing serotonin levels.
Serotain™ VS. St. John's wort Bioassay results:
Serotonin Transporter, Re-uptake Inhibition.
|
|
|
|
Herb
|
10µg/mL
|
50µg/mL
|
100µg/mL
|
|
Serotain™
|
64.16%
|
86.63%
|
93.75%
|
|
St. John's Wort Extract
|
12.84%
|
17.61%
|
23.43%
|
|
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibition (MAOI).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Herb
|
10µg/mL
|
50µg/mL
|
100µg/mL
|
|
Serotain™
|
-
|
-
|
35.9%
|
St. John's Wort Extract
0.3% Hypericin
|
-
|
-
|
89.5%
|
|
|
1. Sahelian, 1998. 5-HTP, Natures serotonin solution, 1st. Ed., Avery Publishing Group, Inc. Garden City Park, NY.
2. Zmilacher, et.al. 1988. L-5-hydroxytryptophan alone and in combination with a peripherial decarboxylase inhibitor in the treatment of depression. Neuropsychobiology 20(1): 28-35, 1998.
3. Fernstrom, 1983. Role of precursor availability in control of monoamine biosynthesis in brain. Physiol Rev. 99:484-546.
4. van Praag, et al. 1986. Denosologization of biological psychiatry or the specificity of 5-HT disturbances in psychiatric disorders. J. Affective Disord. 13:1-8.
11. ABC Primetime Live Report on 5-HTP. June 17, 1999 Transcript |
