How to Take Glutamine, 5-HTP & Tyrosine

Glutamine
Tyrosine
5-HTP

Written by Andy Jackson

08 July, 2011

Glutamine and tyrosine are amino acids, and 5-hydroxytryptophan, or 5-HTP, is the byproduct of the amino acid tryptophan. All three of these supplements are available in drugstores and each performs a different function within the body. Glutamine may help with wound healing and building muscle mass, tryosine may help with stress and regulating hormones, and 5-HTP may be effective in the treatment of depression, fibromyalgia and insomnia, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center 1 2. Dosing for each supplement varies; consult your physician before starting a supplement program 3.

Is This an Emergency?

If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.

Glutamine

Swallow a minimum of one 500 mg glutamine tablet three times a day with a cold beverage. Avoid taking the supplement with hot foods or beverages which may structurally change the amino acid 3. Do not exceed 15,000 mg per day.

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Dissolve 1 tbsp. of glutamine powder in 8 oz 2. of sterile water or saline – available from a medical supply store – for use as an oral rinse. Swish 1 to 2 oz. of the mixture in your mouth and spit. Do this four times a day to treat chemotherapy-induced mouth irritation.

Avoid taking glutamine if you have kidney disease, liver disease or Reye’s syndrome. Do not consume glutamine supplements if you are on a cancer treatment using doxorubicin, methotrexate or 5-fluorouracil.

Swallow a minimum of one 500 mg glutamine tablet three times a day with a cold beverage.
Avoid taking glutamine if you have kidney disease, liver disease or Reye’s syndrome.

Tyrosine

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Take between one and three 500-mg tyrosine tablets three times a day before meals. Take the supplement with a vitamin B supplement to help your body absorb the tyrosine 3.

Calculate dosage. Use 150 mg/kg of body weight divided in three doses daily to treat sleep deprivation. To find your weight in kilograms, multiply your weight in pounds by 0.45. Multiply the result by 150.

Avoid taking tyrosine if you have hyperthyroidism or Grave’s disease, or if you suffer from migraine headaches. Do not take tyrosine if you are taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor, or MAOI, thyroid hormone or levodopa, also known as L-dopa.

Take between one and three 500-mg tyrosine tablets three times a day before meals.
Avoid taking tyrosine if you have hyperthyroidism or Grave’s disease, or if you suffer from migraine headaches.

5-HTP

Consume one 50-mg tablet of 5-HTP one to three times per day. Consult your physician before taking higher doses as 5-HTP can be toxic at high doses and may cause eosinophilic myalgia syndrome, or EMS.

Avoid taking 5-HTP if you have high blood pressure or have liver disease. Do not take this supplement if you are pregnant or nursing 3.

Take caution. Be aware that 5-HTP may interact with antidepressants, carbidopa which is used for Parkinson’s disease, the pain medication tramadol and triptans, used to treat migraines.

Tips

Children should not take any of these supplements. If you notice any side effects, such as inflamed skin, headaches, abdominal pain or pain over the kidneys, stop taking these supplements immediately and consult your physician.