NOW Foods 5-HTP Double Strength 200mg 60 Veg Capsules

What this product is

NOW Foods 5-HTP Double Strength is a dietary supplement containing 200 mg of 5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan) per veg capsule, sold in a bottle of 60 veg capsules. The serving size printed on the panel is one veg capsule, so a single bottle covers 60 daily servings. The bottle shoulder carries an "Amino Acids" banner, which is NOW's own shelf grouping printed on the label. On this store the product is filed separately, under our amino acids category.

The "Double Strength" in the name refers to NOW's own line: the side panel states that this version has twice the 5-HTP per capsule (200 mg) as the regular strength product (100 mg per capsule). The capsule shell is hypromellose rather than gelatin, and the front of the bottle is marked Vegetarian/Vegan and Non-GMO, with a Kosher mark on the side panel.

What is inside

The panel lists six declared ingredients, not one. Two are vitamins with established Daily Values, and four are listed with a dagger because no Daily Value has been set for them.

• 5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan), 200 mg — the panel sources this from Griffonia simplicifolia seed extract. Griffonia simplicifolia is a climbing shrub native to West and Central Africa whose seeds naturally contain the compound, which is why plant extraction is the usual commercial route rather than synthesis. Chemically, 5-HTP is an intermediate the body forms from the amino acid tryptophan. For general background on how plant-derived supplement ingredients are characterized, the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements publishes a consumer fact sheet on botanical dietary supplements.
• Niacin (as Niacinamide, Vitamin B-3), 20 mg — 125% Daily Value — niacinamide is the amide form of vitamin B-3, used in supplements because it does not produce the flushing associated with nicotinic acid. The NIH Office of Dietary Supplements maintains a consumer fact sheet on niacin covering intake levels and food sources.
• Vitamin B-6 (from Pyridoxine HCl), 2 mg — 118% Daily Value — pyridoxine hydrochloride is the standard supplemental form of vitamin B-6. Background on this vitamin is available in the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements vitamin B-6 fact sheet.
• Glycine (Free-Form), 100 mg — glycine is the smallest of the amino acids and the simplest in structure. "Free-form" on a panel means the amino acid is supplied on its own rather than bound into a protein chain, which is how it is presented here.
• Taurine (Free-Form), 100 mg — taurine is a sulfur-containing compound widely used in supplement formulas. It appears here in the same free-form presentation as the glycine. The panel does not state what either amino acid is manufactured from.
• Inositol, 100 mg — inositol is a sugar alcohol present in foods such as citrus fruit, beans and whole grains. Despite being grouped with the B vitamins historically, it is not classified as a vitamin, which is why the panel gives it a dagger rather than a Daily Value.

The non-active ingredients are short: hypromellose, which forms the cellulose capsule shell, plus ascorbyl palmitate and silicon dioxide, both standard processing aids. There is nothing else in the formula. If you want to compare how this panel is worded against other labels on file, the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database is a public reference.

Supplement Facts

How to use it

The printed Suggested Usage is one capsule daily, preferably on an empty stomach at bedtime. That is the whole of the manufacturer's instruction, and it is the amount to follow rather than any greater quantity. The side panel adds that the capsule may be taken with food in case of stomach upset. For storage, the panel says to keep the bottle in a cool, dry place after opening.

Who it is for

This is an adults-only product, and the label states that directly. It suits an adult who already knows they are looking for 5-HTP specifically and wants the 200 mg per-capsule strength rather than the 100 mg one, in a once-daily capsule with a short ingredient list. The vegetarian capsule shell and the Non-GMO marking make it workable for people avoiding gelatin. On this store it is also filed under supplements and health and wellness.

It is not suitable for everyone. The label says it is not recommended for pregnant or nursing women, and it directs anyone taking medication to speak to a physician first.

Good to know

The bottle prints a specific caution, and it is worth reading before you order rather than after. In the manufacturer's wording: for adults only; not recommended for pregnant or nursing women; consult a physician if taking medications, especially antidepressants, or if you have a medical condition. The label notes that the product may cause drowsiness and mild transient GI symptoms, and that it can be taken with food in case of GI upset. Keep out of reach of children.

On allergens, the panel reads: not manufactured with wheat, gluten, soy, milk, egg, fish, shellfish or tree nut ingredients, and produced in a GMP facility that processes other ingredients containing these allergens. The side panel also notes that natural color variation may occur in the product. NOW Foods is listed on the panel at 395 S. Glen Ellyn Rd., Bloomingdale, IL 60108, USA. General guidance on using supplements safely is published by the NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health in its overview of dietary and herbal supplements.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much 5-HTP is in each capsule?

Each veg capsule contains 200 mg of 5-HTP. The panel sources it from Griffonia simplicifolia seed extract, and the bottle holds 60 veg capsules at a serving size of one capsule.

What does "Double Strength" mean on this bottle?

It refers to the 5-HTP amount compared with NOW's regular strength version. The side panel states this product has 200 mg of 5-HTP per capsule against 100 mg per capsule in the regular strength product.

Are the capsules vegetarian?

Yes, the capsule shell is hypromellose, a cellulose-based material rather than gelatin. The front of the bottle is marked Vegetarian/Vegan, and the only other non-active ingredients listed are ascorbyl palmitate and silicon dioxide.

When should I take it?

The printed Suggested Usage is one capsule daily, preferably on an empty stomach at bedtime. The label adds that it may be taken with food if it causes stomach upset, and it cautions that the product may cause drowsiness.

How is this order packaged?

Orders ship in plain, unbranded outer packaging with no indication of the contents. 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.