Merchient’s ingredient library
The library supports 2 wordings for 5-HTP; the strongest is “Helps promote a healthy mood balance” (moderate, 150-300 mg a day). Avoid wording that names or implies a disease, a drug or a treatment, such as “Treats depression or anxiety”.
Also called: 5-Hydroxytryptophan, 5-Hydroxy-L-tryptophan, L-5-Hydroxytryptophan, L-5-HTP
Reviewed
Not legal advice. This guide shows the wording that published evidence supports at a daily dose, from the sources linked below; it is not a ruling on any claim. Your own product, its form and dose, and your own evidence still need to match the wording you use.
Supported wordings
Moderate evidenceWording 1
Claims Facts
“Helps promote a healthy mood balance.”
| Daily dose | 150-300 mg a day |
|---|---|
| Support | Health Canada lists it at 150-300 mg a day; no other listed source covers 5-HTP. |
| Dose details | Adults 18 and older; take with food. Health Canada: start low and build up over 2 weeks to limit stomach upset, and use it for at least 2 weeks to see an effect. |
| Form | 5-HTP (L-5-hydroxytryptophan) from Griffonia seed or biosynthesis |
| Source | Health Canada monograph: 5-HTP |
Moderate evidenceWording 2
Claims Facts
“With a reduced-calorie diet and more physical activity, helps with weight management by reducing carbohydrate cravings.”
| Daily dose | 750-900 mg a day |
|---|---|
| Support | Health Canada lists it at 750-900 mg a day with diet and exercise; no other listed source covers it. |
| Dose details | Adults 18 and older; at most 300 mg per dose, taken 30 minutes before meals. Health Canada asks for a practitioner’s advice beyond 12 weeks for products giving over 600 mg a day, and says not to use it in pregnancy. |
| Form | 5-HTP (L-5-hydroxytryptophan) from Griffonia seed or biosynthesis |
| Source | Health Canada monograph: 5-HTP |
Wordings to avoid
Claims Facts
| Wording to avoid | Reason |
|---|---|
| “Treats depression or anxiety”Names mental health disorders. Health Canada asks people with a psychological disorder such as anxiety or depression to consult a practitioner before use. | Disease |
| “A natural antidepressant, or works like Prozac or an SSRI”Compares the product to a drug class. FDA’s 2000 rule (page 1027) cites ‘Herbal Prozac’ as wording that ties a product to an approved drug. | Drug |
| “Treats insomnia or sleep disturbances”Names a sleep disorder. FDA’s 2000 rule (page 1031) reads sleep wording as disease wording unless it is limited to occasional sleeplessness. | Disease |
| “Prevents migraines, or relieves fibromyalgia”Names diseases. Health Canada lists both uses, but they are condition uses (see notes). | Disease |
| “Treats obesity”FDA’s 2000 rule (page 1026) counts obesity as a disease; the supported wording is weight management with diet and exercise. | Disease |
Disease: names or implies a disease. Drug: names a drug or presents the product as one. Treatment: promises to treat, cure or prevent a condition.
Vera, Merchient’s AI employee, reads your site and emails you the riskiest line, why, a safer rewrite and how many more like it she found. Reply, and you get the free first report.
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