[Latin Name] Griffonia simplicifolia

[Plant Source] Griffonia Seed

[Specifications] 98%; 99% HPLC

[Appearance] White fine powder

Plant Part Used: Seed

[Particle size] 80 Mesh

[Loss on drying] ≤5.0%

[Heavy Metal] ≤10PPM

[Pesticide residue] EC396-2005, USP 34, EP 8.0, FDA

[Storage] Store in cool & dry area, keep away from the direct light and heat.

[Shelf life] 24 Months

[Package] Packed in paper-drums and two plastic-bags inside.

[Net weight] 25kgs/drum

[What is 5-HTP]

5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan) is a chemical by-product of the protein building block L-tryptophan. It is also produced commercially from the seeds of an African plant known as Griffonia simplicifolia 5-HTP is used for sleep disorders such as insomnia, depression, anxiety, migraine and tension-type headaches, fibromyalgia, obesity, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), seizure disorder, and Parkinson’s disease.

 [How does it work?]

5-HTP works in the brain and central nervous system by increasing the production of the chemical serotonin. Serotonin can affect sleep, appetite, temperature, sexual behavior, and pain sensation. Since 5-HTP increases the synthesis of serotonin, it is used for several diseases where serotonin is believed to play an important role including depression, insomnia, obesity, and many other conditions.

[Function]

Depression. Some clinical research shows that taking 5-HTP by mouth improve symptoms of depression in some people. Some clinical research shows that taking 5-HTP by mouth might be as beneficial as certain prescription antidepressant drugs for improving depression symptoms. In most studies, 150-800 mg daily of 5-HTP was taken. In some cases, higher doses have been used.

Down syndrome. Some research shows that giving 5-HTP to infants with Down syndrome might improve muscle and activity. Other research shows that it does not improve muscle or development when taken from infancy until 3-4 years of age. Research also shows that taking 5-HTP along with conventional prescription drugs does improve development, social skills, or language skills.

Anxiety 5-HTP was found to be protective against carbon dioxide-induced panic attacks. One study compared 5-HTP and the prescription medication clomipramine for anxiety. Clomipramine is a tricyclic antidepressant used for treating obsessive-compulsive disorder. 5-HTP was found to be somewhat effective in reducing anxiety symptoms, but not as effective as clomipramine.

Sleep 5-HTP supplements fared a little better for insomnia.5-HTP decreased the time required to get to sleep and decreased the number of nighttime awakenings. Taking 5-HTP along with GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), a relaxing neurotransmitter, reduced the time it took to fall asleep and increased the duration and quality of sleep. One study found that children with night terrors benefited from 5-HTP.

© Manel das Iscas [2012.07.14 - Jardim das Virtudes, Miragaia]

Home › Whole Grains 101 › Health Benefits of Amaranth
Health Benefits of Amaranth
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Amaranth May Have Cancer-preventing, Anti-inflamatory Properties
Molecular biologists in Mexico set out to study the bioactive peptides in amaranth and, in 2008, were the first to report presence of a lunasin-like peptide in the protein in amaranth. Lunasin is a peptide previously identified in soybeans and is widely thought to have cancer-preventive benefits as well as possibly blocking inflammation that accompanies several chronic health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Additional bioactive peptides in amaranth protein were found to have antihypertensive properties.
Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, February 27, 2008; 56(4):1233-40. Epub January 23, 2008.
Amaranth Benefits Patients With Cardiovascular Disease
Russian researchers used a 1996 study conducted on chickens as a model to determine whether or not amaranth would also show benefits for patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Patients who presented with coronary heart disease and hypertension not only showed benefits from the inclusion of amaranth in their diets, researchers also saw a decrease in the amounts of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL significantly.
Lipids in Health and Disease, January 5, 2007; 6:1. DOI:10.1186/1476-511X-6-1.
Commonly Grown Amaranth Highest In Phytosterols
University of Guelph researchers in Ontario, Canada found that amaranth can be a rich dietary source of phytosterols, which have cholesterol-lowering properties. Of the four varieties tested, the top results came from Amaranthus K343, often called Plainsman, the most commonly cultivated amaranth in the United States.
Plant Foods for Human Nutrition, 2003; 58(3):207-11
Amaranth Leaves Offer Potential Health Benefits

Australian researches conducted a study focusing on Greeks who relocated to Melbourne but maintained their traditional Mediterranean diet. During this study, the foods selected for nutrient evaluation — leafy green vegetables, figs in season, and various types of olive oil — were those commonly consumed by Greeks living in Melbourne, but not by native Australians. Of all the commercial and wild leafy greens studied, amaranth leaves were found to contain some of the highest levels of beta-carotene and lutein, even higher than the commercially available chicory and endive.