5-HTP

5-HTP has been known to produce significant effects on food intake in obese populations; research has found that this is done by increasing serotonin which will help avoid food craving, post meal satiety and reduction of pre meal appetite, (1).

Cangiano et al. (2) observed 20 obese participants in a 12 week double blind study and found that it had a significant effect on weight loss over that period.

                              + Can help with food craving                                                        – More Research needed                                                              +Reduces appetite

1 – Halford, J. C., Harrold, J. A., Lawton, C. L., & Blundell, J. E. (2005). Serotonin (5-HT) drugs: effects on appetite expression and use for the treatment of obesity. Current drug targets, 6(2), 201-213.

2 – Cangiano, C., Ceci, F., Cascino, A., Del Ben, M., Laviano, A., Muscaritoli, M., … & Rossi-Fanelli, F. (1992). Eating behavior and adherence to dietary prescriptions in obese adult subjects treated with 5-hydroxytryptophan. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 56(5), 863-867.