Re: hydroxytryptophan

Sorry guys,  but I not particularly enamored with the use of tryptophan or
hydroxytryptophan either in adults, and certainly not in pediatric age
patients.   Mental side effects include RESTLESSNESS, RAPID SPEECH, ANXIETY,
INSOMNIA, AGGRESSIVENESS, and AGITATION, etc.  Gastric effects include
anorexia, nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting.

A classic described syndrome Eosiinophilia-myalgia syndrome(EMS) has been
described with the use of oral L-tryptophan, the precursor of L-
hydroxytryptophan.

Symptoms include eosinophilia, incapacitating myalgia, perimyositis,
arthalgia, dyspnea, cough, rash, edema, fever, etc., etc.  This was commonly
reported several years ago in patients taking high doses of L-tryptophan
 from health food stores.

At present we do not know how much hydroxytryptophan enters milk, but I
would expect significant quantities may,  due to its small size,
lipophilicity, and its ability to enter the CNS.  It is a precursor to
serotonin and other neurotransmitters in the brain.

So I would suggest that the risks outweight the benefits(which are probably
none).

Regards

Tom Hale, Ph.D.