5 HTP & Rhodiola

[Guest guest]

Dear Steve, Thanks for your long and detailed reply. It is certainly food for

thought for me as I use 5 HTP. It certainly is one way to increase serotonin

levels but I will have to watch the cortisol levels. Too bad. Just when I need

it most it is not going to help me. I read that Question too but was thinking it

only applied to type A and B but of course, O's cortisol levels go up too under

stress...I wasn't thinking!

I started Rhodiola about 10 days ago and have not noticed any difference in me

at all emotionally or in terms of well being. Not sure what I was expecting?

However, my ND has now had me stop it because of its influence on " DHEA/Cortisol

levels and the associated sex hormones " - just after starting it my hormones

went flukey and having had breast cancer this is not a good thing for me.

So I guess that I am left with relaxation techniques - meditation etc. and

stress management - both good ideas! Who says we need to get it in a pill?

Thanks for your help. Ann

LnL= Love and laughter? Or?

Re: CHOCO & 0 Blood Chemistry

Hi Ann,

" The Ask Dr. D'Adamo Question For 30 November 2000

5HT AND ABO BLOOD GROUPS

QUESTION: Is the mood enhancer 5-HTP safe for all blood types? Thanks for all

your great work ! The O diet has already done wonders for me in just two months

and I'm feeling better every day.

ANSWER: 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) is an amino acid that is the intermediate

step between tryptophan and the important brain chemical serotonin. There is a

considerable amount of evidence that suggests that low serotonin levels are a

common consequence of modern living. The lifestyle and dietary practices of many

people living in this stress-filled era results in lowered levels of serotonin

within the brain.

Personally, I tend to not recommend 5HTP for my type A or type B patients

since there are studies suggesting that 5HTP increases cortisol levels. (1)

Cortisol is an adrenal-derived stress hormone known to be produced in greater

amounts under stress by individuals who are type A or type B. In one study,

blood group B had the highest elevation in cortisol after provocation, followed

by group A. However, group A might be more at risk from elevated cortisol levels

since their levels rise almost as high as group B, but do not drop back down as

low. (2,3) "

http://www.dadamo.com/ask/ask2.pl?20001130.txt

RHODIOLA

Useful reading: http://www.dadamo.com/ask/ask2.pl?20010604.txt

To answer your question it would appear that Ashwagandha is better for the

other blood types, Rhodila being best for Os.

" The Ask Dr. D'Adamo Question For 17 October 2001

<SNIP>

Ashwagandha is especially good stress remedy for group A's, and can also work

faily effectively in groups B and AB. Group O does better on Rhodiola-type

adaptogens which help modulate adrenaline release. "

http://www.dadamo.com/ask/ask2.pl?20011017.txt

Hope all that helps :-)

LnL,

Steve - Cheltenham, UK