Drug info - 5-htp alone harmful to the heart with out Carbidopa?

[BoyzNoize]

Directly from Wikipedia about Carbidopa

"Carbidopa prevents 5-HTP's metabolism in the liver, which can lead to elevated levels of serotonin in the bloodstream. Research shows that co-administration of 5-HTP and carbidopa greatly increases plasma 5-HTP levels. Without the use of carbidopa, there is a significant risk of heart valve disease when taking 5-HTP, due to serotonin's affect on the heart.In Europe, 5-HTP is prescribed with carbidopa to prevent the conversion of 5-HTP into serotonin until it reaches the brain."

"Other studies have indicated the risk of a scleroderma-like condition resulting from the combination of 5-HTP and carbidopa."

Swim is worried about the health of his heart so swim is wondering if 5-htp is a great stressor on the heart and should supplement 5-htp with carbidopa. Swim also plans on take a few other nootropics with 5-htp such as SAM-e, glutamine and arginine and wonders if this is a good and safe combination?

Reputation Comments on this post:

	Excellent question, hope there's some good responses
	Thanks for bringing this to SWIMS attention. Sorry that he cannot answer SWIYs question
	Very important question for an OTC commonly considered to have no problematic interactions and complete safety.

[BoyzNoize]

For all other concerned swimmers swim forund another thread discussing something similar and found a great article on 5-htp and heart problems here
(sorry swim is under 50posts post pm me if interested) all in all after reading the article swim has decided to take l-Tryptophan over the 5-htp as it will still increase serotonin levels as it is also a precursor to serotonin but is not decarboxylised in the liver like 5-htp. The decarboxylization of 5-htp makes for high serotonin leves in the blood which is not good for the arteries or the heart thus the vein going from you liver to your heart damages the valves. Not to mention serotonin in the blood does no good. A drug like Carbidopa would inhibit the decarboxylization in the liver and allow higher levels of serotonin in the brain where serotonin usually stays thus reducing the hazards to the heart.

[h&llucIn8]

Originally Posted by BoyzNoize

For all other concerned swimmers swim forund another thread discussing something similar and found a great article on 5-htp and heart problems here
(sorry swim is under 50posts post pm me if interested) all in all after reading the article swim has decided to take l-Tryptophan over the 5-htp as it will still increase serotonin levels as it is also a precursor to serotonin but is not decarboxylised in the liver like 5-htp. The decarboxylization of 5-htp makes for high serotonin leves in the blood which is not good for the arteries or the heart thus the vein going from you liver to your heart damages the valves. Not to mention serotonin in the blood does no good. A drug like Carbidopa would inhibit the decarboxylization in the liver and allow higher levels of serotonin in the brain where serotonin usually stays thus reducing the hazards to the heart.

Agreed with the above, the decarboxylation process is done by the liver, with the help of Vit B6.
So never take b6 with your 5htp, or you will get peripheral serotonin levels high, but not brain levels.