Supplements in Review

  • Protein
  • Nootropic
  • Testosterone
  • Fat Loss
  • Pre-Workout
  • Vision
  • Sleep
  • More Categories…
    • Greens
    • Energy
    • Immune
    • Stress
    • Joints
    • Post-Workout
    • Growth Hormone
    • Multi
    • Brands
  • Blog
You are here: Home / Fat Loss / 5-HTP for Fat Loss

5-HTP for Fat Loss

March 12, 2017 By Leave a Comment Last Updated: March 23, 2017

Brain chemical 5-HTP may promote fat loss by reducing appetite. 

5-HTP. By Jynto [CC0], via Wikimedia Commons
The chemical precursor to serotonin, 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) may facilitate fat loss by:

  • Reducing appetite. 5-HTP may indirectly support weight loss by reducing appetite and subsequent food intake.

Table of Contents

Toggle
  • Overview
  • How 5-HTP Might Help With Fat Loss
    • Regulate caloric intake
  • 5-HTP Benefits & Uses for Fat Loss
  • Research
    • Animal Research
    • Human Research
  • Dosage for Fat Loss
  • Supplements in Review Says

Overview

5 Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) is a vital compound naturally produced in the body from the essential amino acid tryptophan as well as present in the seeds of the African plant Griffonia simiplicifolia. It is best recognized as the precursor to serotonin, a neurotransmitter involved in regulating mood and social behavior.1

Whereas dietary sources of tryptophan increase 5-HTP levels by a minuscule amount, 5-HTP supplements have been shown to be far more effective. The current rise in popularity of 5-HTP supplementation in conjunction with scientific research has led to the discovery of multiple potential health benefits:

  • Mood improvement. 5-HTP seems to impart nootropic-like effects, including boosting positive vibes and reducing depression and migraines.
  • Stress reduction. 5-HTP may help alleviate anxiety, tension, and insomnia.
  • Growth hormone enhancement. 5-HTP appears to elevate growth hormone levels.

Although not as well-known as some other fat-burners, 5-HTP has also been proposed to support weight loss by reducing caloric intake.

5-HTP may be great for the brain. Not only does 5-HTP increase serotonin levels with no side effects, but it has also been associated with increased concentrations of melatonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine.2
5-HTP seems to increase a bunch of neurotransmitters. By Allan Ajifo [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

How 5-HTP Might Help With Fat Loss

Regulate caloric intake

5-HTP does not directly trigger fat burning, but it is a natural serotonin precursor that inherently elevates serotonin levels, and serotonin has long been associated with reduced appetite and increased satiety, especially in obese or overweight persons.3 In addition, low serotonin levels are known to induce carbohydrate cravings.4

5-HTP Benefits & Uses for Fat Loss

While not a fat burner per se, 5-HTP is a popular option for reducing appetite, which in turn reduces food intake and leads to weight loss. More specifically, 5-HTP may be used to lower overall appetite before meals, limit additional consumption for people on fixed-calorie diets, as well as maintain diet restrictions in cases of obesity or type-II diabetes.5 Current research evidence seems to support 5-HTP’s ability to curb food cravings and lead to notable weight loss.

5-HTP should not be taken with other supplements that increase serotonin. Taking 5-HTP at the same time as other herbs and supplements that increase serotonin – such as St. John’s wort, Hawaiian baby woodrose, and S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) – may trigger serious heart-related side effects.
By CDC [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Research

Animal Research

Animal studies of 5-HTP have discovered that it may:

  • Reduce food intake and bodyweight gain in rodents.6

Human Research

For the most part, clinical research confirms that 5-HTP can suppress appetite and lead to weight loss.

5-HTP (900 mg) may increase satiety and promote weight loss in obese individuals

In this double-blind study, 20 obese adults were given either a placebo or 900 mg of 5-HTP daily for two consecutive 6 week periods. The 5-HTP group had significant weight loss, which was associated with decreased carbohydrate intake and feeling full more quickly.

  • The study concluded that “these findings together with the good tolerance observed suggest that 5-HTP may be safely used to treat obesity.”7

5-HTP (750 mg) seems to trigger weight loss in type II diabetes

In this randomized, double-blind study, 25 overweight type II diabetics took either a placebo or 750 mg of 5-HTP every day for 2 weeks. 5-HTP was found to reduce carbohydrate and fat intake and subsequently cause weight loss.

  • The study concluded that “patients receiving 5-HTP significantly decreased their daily energy intake, by reducing carbohydrate and fat intake, and reduced their body weight.”8

5-HTP (8 mg/kg) appears to promote weight loss in obese women

In this double-blind, crossover study, 19 obese women were given either a placebo or 5-HTP at 8 mg/kg body weight every day for 5 weeks. At the end of the investigation, 5-HTP was reported to decrease food intake and lead to weight loss.

  • The study concluded that “the administration of 5-hydroxytryptophan resulted in no changes in mood state but promoted typical anorexia-related symptoms, decreased food intake and weight loss.”9

5-HTP (900 mg) seems to promote weight loss in obese women

In this study, 14 obese women took either a placebo or 300 mg of 5-HTP before each meal daily for 6 weeks with no diet and 6 more weeks with a low-calorie diet. The 5-HTP group experienced an increase in satiety and subsequent weight loss (99.7 kg to 98 kg in first 6 weeks; 98 kg to 94.7 kg in second 6 weeks) of 5% of total body weight.

  • The study concluded that “the prevalence of anorexia was higher in the group of patients receiving 5-HTP than in the placebo group.”10

5-HTP (sub-lingual spray) may help control appetite during a weight loss program

In this randomized, double-blind study, 27 women were given either a placebo or 5-HTP in the form of a spray under the tongue (5HTP-Nat Exts®) 5 times a day for 2 months. The 5-HTP group experienced a significantly greater increase in satiety and fasting time.

  • The study concluded that “5HTP-Nat Exts may be safely used to treat the problem of appetite control in overweight women during a weight loss program.”11

Dosage for Fat Loss

  • Research studies use from 300 – 900 mg of 5-HTP
  • Typical 5-HTP supplement capsules range from 50 – 100 mg
  • Sublingual 5-HTP spray seems to be a viable alternative

Supplements in Review Says

  • 5-HTP 50 – 100 mg for fat loss.

5-HTP may promote fat loss by reducing caloric intake. 5-HTP seems to be well-suited for increasing satiety in overweight and obese individuals, which can in turn lead to eating less and losing weight. Combined with potential mood and overall brain health benefits, 5-HTP is definitely worth a try as a weight loss supplement.

Start with daily doses of 50 – 100 mg.  We suggest starting off at a low daily dose of 50 – 100 mg which can be increased over time.

Show 11 footnotes

  1. Frazer A, Hensler JG. Serotonin involvement in physiological function and behavior. In: Siegel GJ, ed. Basic Neurochemistry: Molecular, Cellular and Medical Aspects. 6th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott-Raven;1999 ↩
  2. Birdsall TC. 5-Hydroxytryptophan: a clinically-effective serotonin precursor. Altern Med Rev. 1998 Aug;3(4):271-80. ↩
  3. Wurtmann JJ. The involvement of brain serotonin in excessive carbohydrate snacking by obese carbohydrate cravers. J Am Diet Assoc. 1984 Sep;84(9):1004-7. ↩
  4. Wurtman RJ and Wurtman JJ. Brain serotonin, carbohydrate-craving, obesity and depression. Obes Res. 1995 Nov;3 Suppl 4:477S-480S. ↩
  5. Halford JC, Harrold JA, et al. Serotonin (5-HT) drugs: effects on appetite expression and use for the treatment of obesity. Curr Drug Targets. 2005 Mar;6(2):201-13. ↩
  6. Halford JC, Harrold JA, et al. Serotonergic drugs : effects on appetite expression and use for the treatment of obesity. Drugs. 2007;67(1):27-55. ↩
  7. Cangiano C, Ceci F, et al. Eating behavior and adherence to dietary prescriptions in obese adult subjects treated with 5-hydroxytryptophan. Am J Clin Nutr 1992;56:863-7. ↩
  8. Cangiano C, Laviano A, et al. Effects of oral 5-hydroxy-tryptophan on energy intake and macronutrient selection in non-insulin dependent diabetic patients. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord 1998;22:648-54. ↩
  9. Ceci F, Cangiano C, et al. The effects of oral 5-hydroxytryptophan administration on feeding behavior in obese adult female subjects. J Neural Transm 1989;76:109-17. ↩
  10. Cangiano C, Ceci F, et al. Effects of 5-hydroxytryptophan on eating behavior and adherence to dietary prescriptions in obese adult subjects. Adv Exp Med Biol 1991;294:591-3. ↩
  11. Rondanelli M, Klersy C, et al. Satiety and amino-acid profile in overweight women after a new treatment using a natural plant extract sublingual spray formulation. Int J Obes (Lond) 2009;33:1174-1182. ↩

Filed Under: Fat Loss

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Fat Loss Resources

fat loss

Fat Loss Supplements Guide

Fat Loss Supplements List

Find us on Facebook

Supplements in Review

Recently Added in “Fat Loss”

MCT Oil for Fat Loss

Moringa Oleifera for Fat Loss

Murraya Koenigii for Fat Loss

Triphala for Fat Loss

Ogbono_(Irvingia_gabonensis)

African Mango for Fat Loss

More Posts from this Category

  • Amazon
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter

Press contact information

valentino@supplementsinreview.com

info@supplementsinreview.com

Disclaimer

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The products mentioned anywhere on Supplements in Review are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. All information presented here is not meant as a substitute for or alternative to information from health care practitioners. Please consult your health care professional about potential interactions or other possible complications before using any product.

Copyright © 2025 · Supplements in Review · Contact Us · Disclaimer

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok