NOW Foods 5-HTP Double Strength 200mg 120 Veg Capsules

What it is

NOW Foods 5-HTP Double Strength is a dietary supplement delivering 200 mg of 5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan) per veg capsule, in a bottle of 120 capsules. "Double Strength" is NOW's own wording on the bottle for this 200 mg per-capsule strength. The front also lists glycine, taurine and inositol, and the Supplement Facts panel adds two B vitamins, so six ingredients are declared in total. The capsule shell is hypromellose, and the front is marked Vegetarian/Vegan, Non-GMO and "A Dietary Supplement". This item is filed under Amino Acids in our Supplements range.

What's inside

Each veg capsule declares six ingredients. Taking them in the order the panel lists them:

• Niacin (as niacinamide, vitamin B-3), 20 mg — 125% Daily Value. Niacinamide is the amide form of niacin, one of the eight B vitamins; the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements fact sheet on niacin gives general background on the nutrient.
• Vitamin B-6 (from pyridoxine HCl), 2 mg — 118% Daily Value. Pyridoxine hydrochloride is the common supplemental form of vitamin B-6. The NIH Office of Dietary Supplements fact sheet on vitamin B-6 describes the vitamin in general terms.
• 5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan), 200 mg, from Griffonia simplicifolia extract (seed). The bottle describes 5-HTP as an intermediate the body forms from the amino acid tryptophan, and states that the material here is extracted from the seed of an African plant rather than made synthetically. Griffonia simplicifolia is a climbing shrub whose seeds are the usual commercial source of this compound; the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements background on botanical supplements explains how plant extracts are prepared and standardized in general.
• Glycine (free-form), 100 mg. Glycine is the simplest amino acid used in protein, built from just two carbon atoms. "Free-form" means it is supplied as the individual amino acid rather than bound into a protein chain.
• Taurine (free-form), 100 mg. Taurine is an amino sulfonic acid. Unlike glycine it is not used to build proteins, and it occurs naturally in the body in relatively high concentrations.
• Inositol, 100 mg. Inositol is a sugar alcohol with a six-carbon ring, chemically related to glucose. It is not a vitamin, despite once being grouped with the B complex.

The panel marks the last four rows with a dagger and states "Daily Value not established", which is the standard way of saying no reference intake has been set for those ingredients. The two B vitamins do carry percentages, and both reconcile against the current Daily Values.

The "Other ingredients" line is short: hypromellose (cellulose capsule), ascorbyl palmitate and silicon dioxide. The panel identifies the hypromellose as the capsule itself and lists the other two without further description.

Supplement Facts

† Daily Value not established. The panel itself prints no servings row; the figure above is arithmetic from the 120-capsule count and the one-capsule serving size, and is shown as derived for that reason.

How to use it

The bottle's Suggested Usage reads: "Take 1 capsule daily, preferably on an empty stomach at bedtime." That is one capsule in twenty-four hours, and it is the whole of the printed instruction — the label does not describe a second daily serving or a higher amount. The caution adds one qualifier: take it with food in case of GI upset. Note the direction of that sentence — food is the remedy if the capsule disagrees with you, not a routine instruction to take it with a meal.

For storage, the panel says to store in a cool, dry place after opening. At one capsule a day, a 120-capsule bottle is a 120-day supply.

Who it's for

This is a dietary supplement for adults 18 and over, and the bottle restricts it further: "For adults only. Not recommended for pregnant/nursing women." The 120-capsule bottle is the long-supply size, which suits someone who has already settled on this formula and strength and does not want to reorder often. The front carries a Vegetarian/Vegan mark, and the capsule shell is hypromellose rather than gelatin, so both are worth noting for shoppers who check capsule materials. Anyone taking prescription medication should read the next section before buying rather than after.

Good to know

The printed caution is specific and worth reading in full, because it names a medication class by name. In the manufacturer's words: "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."

Two points there deserve emphasis. The pack singles out antidepressants as the medication class to raise with a clinician before use. And it states plainly that the product may cause drowsiness — relevant if you drive or operate machinery, and consistent with a label that directs the capsule to bedtime.

The allergen statement reads: "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." That second sentence matters as much as the first — shared equipment is disclosed, so this is not an allergen-free claim. General guidance on using supplements safely is available from the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health; it describes supplements as a category and does not address this product.

The bottle carries a "GMP Quality Assured" seal, a Non-GMO mark, a kosher "K" with no certifying agency named beside it, and the line "Family owned since 1968." The shelf band across the top of the label reads "Amino Acids". No California Prop 65 warning is printed on this packaging.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much 5-HTP is in each capsule, and what else is in there?

Each veg capsule provides 200 mg of 5-HTP from Griffonia simplicifolia seed extract, plus 20 mg niacin, 2 mg vitamin B-6, 100 mg glycine, 100 mg taurine and 100 mg inositol. That is six declared ingredients on the Supplement Facts panel. The only other ingredients are hypromellose, ascorbyl palmitate and silicon dioxide.

How many capsules should I take, and when?

One capsule daily, preferably on an empty stomach at bedtime — that is exactly what the bottle instructs, and it does not list a second daily serving. The caution adds that you may take it with food if it causes GI upset. The label also warns the product may cause drowsiness, which is consistent with the bedtime timing.

Is this suitable for vegetarians and vegans?

Yes — the front of the bottle is marked "Vegetarian/Vegan", and the capsule shell is hypromellose, a plant-derived cellulose material rather than gelatin. The front also carries a Non-GMO mark and a kosher "K", though no certifying agency is named beside the K on this packaging.

Does it contain any of the major allergens?

The label states it is not manufactured with wheat, gluten, soy, milk, egg, fish, shellfish or tree nut ingredients. It also discloses that it is produced in a GMP facility that processes other ingredients containing those allergens, so the equipment is shared. If you react to trace exposure, that disclosure is the relevant line.

How is my order packaged for delivery?

Your order ships in plain, unmarked outer packaging. It will not show the Gear Isle name.

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.