NOW Foods 5-HTP 100mg 60 Veg Capsules

What it is

NOW Foods 5-HTP 100 mg is a single-ingredient dietary supplement in a bottle of 60 vegetarian capsules, with 100 mg of 5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan) in every capsule. The 5-HTP is extracted from the seed of Griffonia simplicifolia, and the bottle front carries a Non-GMO mark and a "Vegetarian/Vegan" line beside the capsule count. A band across the top of the label reads "Amino Acids", which is the range NOW files it under; on this store it is listed under Amino Acids as well.

The manufacturer describes the compound itself in flat, objective language on the side of the bottle: "5-HTP, the intermediate metabolite between the amino acid L-tryptophan and serotonin, is extracted from the seed of an African plant (Griffonia simplicifolia)." That is a statement about where the material sits in human biochemistry and where it is sourced from, and it is reproduced here for that reason alone.

What's inside

This formula has three ingredients in total, and the Supplement Facts panel names all three. There is no proprietary blend and no second active sharing the serving.

• 5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan), 100 mg — the single active, listed on the panel as coming "from Griffonia simplicifolia Extract (Seed)". Griffonia simplicifolia is a climbing shrub native to West and Central Africa whose seeds are the commercial source of this compound; the panel specifies the seed rather than the leaf or root. The amount is marked with an asterisk and footnoted "Daily Value not established", which is the standard notation for an ingredient with no established reference intake. General background on how plant-derived supplement ingredients are regulated and labeled is available in the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements' botanical dietary supplements fact sheet, which is reference material on the category and not a comment on this product.
• Rice Flour — listed first under "Other ingredients". The panel does not state what role it plays; rice flour is a plant starch used routinely in capsule manufacturing as a bulking agent.
• Hypromellose (cellulose capsule) — the capsule shell itself, named in brackets on the panel. Hypromellose is derived from plant cellulose. The front of the bottle separately prints "Vegetarian/Vegan"; no animal-derived ingredient appears anywhere in the printed statement.

That is the complete ingredient statement as printed on the panel, reproduced without addition.

Supplement Facts

* Daily Value not established.

How to use it

The label's direction is: "Take 1 capsule daily, preferably on an empty stomach at bedtime." That is the whole of the printed Suggested Usage — one capsule, once a day, with bedtime and an empty stomach given as the preference. Storage is printed separately: "Store in a cool, dry place after opening."

The same label notes that the product may cause mild transient GI symptoms, and says to take it with food in case of GI upset. That is a remedy offered for a specific symptom, not an alternative daily routine, and it does not change the one-capsule-a-day direction.

Who it's for

This is a product for adults who want a 5-HTP supplement with a short, fully disclosed ingredient list. The capsule shell is plant-derived and the front of the bottle prints "Vegetarian/Vegan", so it fits vegetarian and vegan diets without a separate check. A once-daily capsule also suits people who would rather not measure a powder or count out several capsules per serving.

It is not for everyone. The printed caution restricts it to adults and says it is not recommended for pregnant or nursing women, and it tells anyone taking medication — antidepressants in particular — to consult a physician first. If that applies to you, that line is the starting point rather than a footnote. This item is also listed under supplements and under health and wellness on this store.

Good to know

The caution panel is printed in full on the bottle and reads: "For adults only. Not recommended for pregnant/nursing women. Consult physician if taking medications (especially antidepressants), or have a medical condition. May cause drowsiness and mild transient GI symptoms. Take with food in case of GI upset. Keep out of reach of children."

Because drowsiness is named on the label, that warning and the bedtime timing in the directions are worth reading together before you plan around a dose.

The allergen statement is printed verbatim as: "Not manufactured with wheat, gluten, soy, milk, egg, fish, shellfish or tree nut ingredients. Produced in a GMP facility that processes other ingredients containing these allergens." The second sentence matters as much as the first — the facility is shared, so this is a "not made with" statement rather than a statement of absence.

The bottle also prints "Natural color variation may occur in this product", so the shade of the capsules can differ between batches. The panel gives the manufacturer as NOW FOODS, 395 S. Glen Ellyn Rd., Bloomingdale, IL 60108, USA, and the bottle carries an unbranded "GMP Quality Assured" seal together with the line "Family owned since 1968." For general consumer guidance on choosing and using supplements, the FDA publishes questions and answers on dietary supplements, NCCIH publishes background on dietary and herbal supplements, and NIH ODS publishes what you need to know about dietary supplements. None of those agencies reviews or endorses individual products, including this one.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many capsules are in the bottle?

Sixty vegetarian capsules. The front of the bottle prints "60 Veg Capsules", and at the label's direction of one capsule daily that works out to a 60-day supply. The Supplement Facts panel itself prints no servings row, so that figure is arithmetic from the capsule count rather than a number taken off the label.

Is this 5-HTP suitable for vegetarians and vegans?

Yes — the capsule shell is hypromellose, a plant-derived cellulose, and the front of the bottle prints "Vegetarian/Vegan" directly beneath the capsule count. The only other ingredient is rice flour, which is also plant-derived. No gelatin appears in the printed ingredient statement.

Which allergens is it made without?

The label states it is not manufactured with wheat, gluten, soy, milk, egg, fish, shellfish or tree nut ingredients. It also states that it is produced in a GMP facility that processes other ingredients containing those allergens, so anyone with a severe allergy should weigh that shared-facility line and not the first sentence alone.

When does the label say to take it?

Once a day, preferably on an empty stomach at bedtime — that is the printed Suggested Usage in full. The label separately says to take it with food in case of GI upset, which is a remedy for that symptom and not a second daily serving. It also warns that the product may cause drowsiness.

How is this order packaged?

Your order ships in plain, unbranded outer packaging. It will not show the Gear Isle name. The bottle inside is the manufacturer's standard retail bottle with its own printed label.

Product information compiled and reviewed by the Gear Isle product team. We transcribe supplement facts directly from manufacturer packaging. Found an error? Tell us.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Dietary supplement for adults 18 and over. Consult a licensed healthcare professional before use, especially if you have a medical condition, heart concerns, or take prescription medication (including nitrates). Keep out of reach of children.