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5-HTP: The Natural Way to Boost Serotonin and Overcome Depression, Obesity, and Insomnia
 
 
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5-HTP: The Natural Way to Boost Serotonin and Overcome Depression, Obesity, and Insomnia [Hardcover]

N.D. Michael Murray (Author)
4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)


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Book Description

June 1, 1998
This is the first comprehensive guide to 5-HTP--an amino acid extracted from the seeds of the Griffonia plant--which is available without prescription and has been shown to be safer and more effective than prescription drugs in treating conditions associated with low levels of serotonin.

Our stressful modern lifestyles wreak havoc on our health--we're waging a constant battle to overcome the ill effects of poor diet, lack of exercise, and not enough rest.  It may surprise you to learn that scientists have discovered that our stressful lifestyles not only affect our bodies but they adversely affect our brains, too.  Specifically, stress, poor diet, and insufficient exercise cause our brains to produce low levels of serotonin, the neurotransmitter that regulates our mood, appetite, and ability to get a good night's sleep.  When our brains aren't producing enough serotonin, we may experience depression, suffer from obesity or insomnia, or otherwise function at less than our mental and physical peak.

How do our brains produce serotonin? By synthesizing the essential amino acids we gain from eating a proper diet.  But diet alone isn't enough (or millions and millions of us wouldn't suffer the ill effects of low serotonin levels), and scientists and researchers have finally come up with a groundbreaking supplement that will safely and efficiently boost serotonin levels and reduce depression, obesity, insomnia, migraine headaches, and anxiety.  That supplement is 5-HTP.

Written by one of the leading naturopathic doctors in the U.S., 5-HTP tells you everything you need to know about this amazing supplement.  Citing case histories, scientific studies, and all the available literature on the subject, Dr.  Murray introduces us to a supplement that has been widely and effectively used throughout Europe for decades.


Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

5-HTP is a naturally derived amino acid that has been shown in comprehensive studies to be safer than prescription drugs for the treatment of insomnia and depression, and can also be used for treating obesity, migraine headaches, fibromyalgia, and premenstrual syndrome. It may prove to be more popular than St. John's wort for the treatment of depression and other serotonin-related conditions, as it's been shown to produce results in as little as two weeks, while the herb may take a month or longer.

Author Michael Murray, N.D., a leading naturopath and coauthor of The Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine, delves very deeply to explain the hows and whys of depression at the neurotransmitter level, and the illustrations of presynaptic membranes may be a bit much for the lay reader. There are also several sections with intimidating titles along the lines of "Enhancing 5-HTP with Catecholamine Precursors." But the book's comprehensiveness makes up for its occasional denseness. Murray includes enlightening sections on nutrition for peak serotonin synthesis, other complementary herbal supplements, and many online and physical sources for obtaining 5-HTP. --Erica Jorgensen

From Library Journal

Murray (Encyclopedia of Nutritional Supplements, Prima, 1996) believes that the symptoms of depression, obesity, headaches, insomnia, anxiety, hyperactivity, premenstrual syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, and fibromyalgia can be alleviated by taking the amino acid 5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan). The body converts 5-HTP into serotonin, a neurotransmitter vital for brain function, and Murray argues that increased serotonin levels mitigate much of the discomfort associated with the conditions cited above. He devotes major chapters to depression, weight loss, insomnia, and headache, with each following the same format: exploration of the condition and orthodox treatment, review of studies using 5-HTP, and recommendations for therapeutic doses. Personal stories illustrate how patients have benefited from 5-HTP. It is apparent from warnings given throughout the book, however, that use of this natural supplement is not without danger, especially if taken with certain prescription medicines. Buy for alternative health collections only if demand warrants.AJodith Janes, Cleveland Clinic Fdn., OH
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

  • Hardcover: 304 pages
  • Publisher: Bantam; First Edition edition (June 1, 1998)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0553107844
  • ISBN-13: 978-0553107845
  • Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 1.3 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
  • Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #121,439 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Michael T. Murray, N.D., is widely regarded as one of the world's leading authorities on natural medicine. He has been featured on numerous television programs, including 20/20 and Dateline. He lives in Arizona.

 

Customer Reviews

34 Reviews
5 star:
 (22)
4 star:
 (7)
3 star:
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2 star:
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Average Customer Review
4.4 out of 5 stars (34 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

142 of 143 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Well written book, January 26, 2001
By A Customer
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
Minor obsessive-compulsive disorder run in my family. A brother of mine is taking Zoloft. I was looking for a natural alternative to treat symptoms that I've had that are considered "mild" by the psychiatric community (my symptoms don't prevent me from holding down a job and having relationships). I've been unable to find a cure with behavioral modification. This book had the information I needed to understand the neurological and behavioral systems that are affected by serotonin deficiency. I was impressed with Dr. Murray's presentation of scientific studies and comparisons of 5-HTP against pharmological alternatives. I'm on 5-HTP now and it "magically" cured my 20-year compulsion. 5-HTP is no placebo. Like one of the other reviwers, I have to take 5-HTP in the morning. Taken before bedtime, I experience very vivid dreams and wake up at 3:00 a.m., unable to get back to sleep.
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73 of 74 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars An excellent, informative source for alternative health, June 22, 1998
By A Customer
This review is from: 5-HTP: The Natural Way to Boost Serotonin and Overcome Depression, Obesity, and Insomnia (Hardcover)
This well-written and extremely interesting book is a must-read for anyone suffering from insomnia, carbohydrate cravings (which often lead to obesity), depressed moods, or migraines. All of these medical problems have been linked to lack of serotonin, a chemical that the human brain makes naturally, which plays a part in the ability to feel pleasure, feel satisfied after eating, and feel well rested. Dr. Murray introduces his reader to a naturally-derived serotonin booster, 5-HTP, which has had positive effects on obese, insomniac, and depressed patients in both medical studies and in his own patients, so far without the negative side effects associated with Prozac and fen-phen.

While I agree with Amazon's assessment that the in-depth neurobiology of Dr. Murray's book can be intimidating, I see that as more of an indication of his unwillingness to patronize his readers by omitting it because it's "too hard for us." I would actually greatly distrust anyone who advised me to introduce a new substance into my body without telling me exactly what effect it was going to have on me in great detail. Try not to be intimidated by all those Latin names and medical terms - Murray really does try to explain these very complicated concepts in layman's terms.

I also greatly respect Murray's holistic approach to curing depression and obesity - he is never satisfied with merely selling us a miracle pill that can cure all of the reader's health problems without any effort on his or her part in this book. In addition to detailing the positive effects of 5-HTP as a dietary supplement, he strongly emphasizes good nutrition, proper sleep and exercise, and having a positive attitude as well, which I find reassuring, given the number of crash-diet and snake-oil peddlers out there.

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58 of 58 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Quality sleep, less Anxiety, September 19, 1998
By A Customer
This review is from: 5-HTP: The Natural Way to Boost Serotonin and Overcome Depression, Obesity, and Insomnia (Hardcover)
I had such a hard time falling asleep, accompanied by debilitating anxiety, until I read this book and started taking 5-HTP. My problem was so serious that I found I was sleeping with my eyes open (Ouch!) The very first night I took it, I slept like a baby. I was unable to take prescription sleep aids and anxiety drugs because of depression and other medical problems. I felt immediate relief with 5-HTP.

The scientific studies referenced in this book made be feel very comfortable in taking 5-HTP. They were written in an easily understandable format. The author basically drew a map of the path 5-HTP takes throughout the body. Well done Dr. Murray!

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Inside This Book (learn more)
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First Sentence:
Chances are that you, like millions of other Americans, are suffering from health problems that are a direct consequence of our stressed-out, modern way of living. Read the first page
Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
serotonin deficiency syndrome, low serotonin levels, serotonin precursors, serotonin system, biloba extract
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
United States, University of Rome, Diet Pepsi, New York, Obesity Study, Stanford University
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