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L-Tryptophan and 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) Supplements

Choose the Best L-Tryptophan and 5-HTP Supplements. CL Tests Identify High Quality L-Tryptophan and 5-HTP (5-Hydroxy-L-Tryptophan) at the Best Value

Reviewed and edited by Tod Cooperman, M.D. cooperman.png

Initially Posted: 07/27/2018 | Last Updated: 01/19/2019
L-Tryptophan and 5-HTP (5-Hydroxy-L-tryptophan) Supplements Reviewed By Consumerlab.com

Alphabetical list of 5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan (5-HTP) and L-tryptophan supplement brands compared in this review

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BioScience Nutrition 5-HTP

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Doctor's Best Best L-Tryptophan With TryptoPure

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Finest Nutrition [Walgreens] 5-HTP

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Natrol 5-HTP

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Natural Factors 5-HTP

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Swanson Ultra L-Tryptophan TryptoPure

Make sure the L-tryptophan or 5-HTP or supplement you take passed our tests. Isn't your health worth it?

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L-tryptophan supplements are often promoted to improve sleep and mood, and 5-HTP supplements to help with depression. But there have been reports in the past of serious illness (eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome or EMS) associated with the use of certain L-tryptophan supplements, and even 5-HTP.

So, do L-tryptophan and 5-HTP supplements really work, and are they safe to use? And which products are best?  

To find out, ConsumerLab.com recently tested popular L-tryptophan and 5-HTP supplements, carefully checking them to see if they contained their listed amounts of L-tryptophan or 5-HTP and whether they were contaminated with heavy metals or chemical impurities. We also reviewed the clinical evidence for and against L-tryptophan and 5-HTP. 

We identified a number of high-quality products. Among these we identified two that provide the best value (because L-tryptophan and 5-HTP especially can be expensive) — making them our Top Picks.

You must be a ConsumerLab.com member to get the full test results along with ConsumerLab.com's Top Picks. You'll get results for six supplements: five selected by ConsumerLab.com and one other product that passed the same testing in our voluntary Quality Certification Program. In the review, you'll learn:
  • ConsumerLab's Top Picks for L-tryptophan and 5-Hydroxy-L-tryptophan (5-HTP) supplements based on quality, dose and value  
  • Which products passed or failed our tests and why
  • How L-tryptophan and 5-HTP supplements compare on ingredients, dosage, and cost
  • Information about branded L-tryptophan ingredients (such as TryptoPure) and what to look for on the label when choosing an L-tryptophan or 5-HTP supplement
  • Dosage of L-tryptophan and 5-HTP for specific uses and the evidence for or against those uses (including sleep, depression, migraine, weight loss, and fibromyalgia)
  • Safety concerns, including information about eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome (EMS) associated with use of L-tryptophan and 5-HTP supplements, as well as potential side effects and drug interactions

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Related CL Answers (3)

I take fluoxetine (Prozac), a SSRI drug to treat depression. Are there supplements I should avoid, or be taking, due to this drug?

Learn about Prozac (fluoxetine) drug interactions along with other supplements and SSRIs. ConsumerLab's answer explains.

Do any supplements help with migraines?

Info on supplements for migraines and headaches, including magnesium, CoQ10, vitamin B-2 and more. ConsumerLab's answer explains.

Which supplements can cause diarrhea?

Can supplements like magnesium cause diarrhea? Find out which supplements may cause diarrhea, such as vitamin B12, curcumin, magnesium, vitamin C and fish oil.

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