[rainbow_tears]

I think www.drugs . com and then the interactions checker works, failing that I have another link somewhere I will attempt to root out for you all
x

[thewomanwithin67]

Great thank you

[sara013188]

I started taking 5-htp today and I think I noticed a difference in the way my phen worked. Note that I did say "think". It may just be a placebo effect, which is still okay, but as you know, never lasts. I didn't eat much at all today, and didn't want to eat much when I looked in the fridge. Nothing seemed to look good. And I was able to get myself up earlier in the day to exercise. I take CLA also, and I don't know if I've noticed a difference. I don't take it on a regular basis, but when I do remember I take one. Hopefully I can keep up with this.

[greeneyedsista]

My doc says the CLA will not negatively impact what I am taking. I am on 30 mg Phentermine and 35 mg Phendimetrazine. Before I buy anything I contact him first. Someone recommended 5-HTP but I don't want to have to take a gazillion pills in the morning. I was told 5-HTP affects seratonin levels and gives a feeling of "well being" (my docs words), but that it is safe to take. I haven't been on CLA long enough to see results yet (3 days) but I am keeping my fingers crossed!

[donnahhi]

I am taking 5htp and CLA + green tea (capsules) and 30mg phen. I have taken this combo for about 10 days. I am taking a break from Phen for a week and substituting Tight. I have noticed an improvement in my waist. I take the CLA and GT with my meals. My waist is my trouble spot and I have lost fat there in the last 10 days.

I'm really up and down with my moods (I got a meridia IUD last year and I have had HORRIBLE PMS ever since - don't want to take it out because I feel like a walking baby maker!) I am a lot more stable taking the 5HTP. I got my TOM this week and didn;t even realize it. Usually I am CRAVING brownies or cake and I am impossible to be around, I hate everyone. This week I was normal and ate well. The only thing I have changed is the 5htp so I believe it works. It might not make you lose weight but it levels me out enough that I don't binge eat because of emotions. Hope this helps.

[squeekie]

Regarding the 5htp-is there any one brand that's better than another?

[asutterley]

From what I understand about CLA, it is a natural occuring substance in meats & dairy products, so you have it in your diet anyway, just not enought to be that effective. It's VERY safe and has little if no side effects. It has SEVERAL health benefits other than just fat loss, so is worth taking even if you don't want to lose fat! I hated 5-htp because it made me feel HORRIBLY sick to my stomach. I started taking Tonalin CLA yesterday, so will report in a few weeks if I see any results. Here is some info I found:

A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study, published in the December 2000 issue of the Journal of Nutrition found that CLA reduces fat and preserves muscle tissue. According to the research project manager, an average reduction of six pounds of body fat was found in the group that took CLA, compared to a placebo group. The study found that approximately 3.4 grams of CLA per day is the level needed to obtain the beneficial effects of CLA on body fat.

Dr. Michael Pariza, who conducted research on CLA with the University of Wisconsin-Madison, reported in August 2000 to the American Chemical Society that "It doesn't make a big fat cell get little. What it rather does is keep a little fat cell from getting big." Pariza's research did not find weight loss in his group of 71 overweight people, but what he did find was that when the dieters stopped dieting, and gained back weight, those taking CLA "were more likely to gain muscle and not fat.'' In a separate study conducted at Purdue University in Indiana, CLA was found to improve insulin levels in about two-thirds of diabetic patients, and moderately reduced the blood glucose level and triglyceride levels.

CLA has been the subject of a variety of research in the past several years, and findings also suggest that some of the other benefits of CLA include the following:

Increases metabolic rate -- This would obviously be a positive benefit for thyroid patients, as hypothyroidism -- even when treated -- can reduce the metabolic rate in some people.
Decreases abdominal fat -- Adrenal imbalances and hormonal shifts that are common in thyroid patients frequently cause rapid accumulation of abdominal fat, so this benefit could be quite helpful.
Enhances muscle growth -- Muscle burns fat, which also contributes to increased metabolism, which is useful in weight loss and management.
Lowers cholesterol and triglycerides -- Since many thyroid patients have elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels, even with treatment, this benefit can have an impact on a thyroid patient's health.
Lowers insulin resistance -- Insulin resistance is a risk for some hypothyroid patients, and lowering it can also help prevent adult-onset diabetes and make it easier to control weight.
Reduces food-induced allergic reactions -- Since food allergies can be at play when weight loss becomes difficult, this can be of help to thyroid patients.
Enhances immune system -- Since most cases of thyroid disease are autoimmune in nature, enhancing the immune system's ability to function properly is a positive benefit.

If you're interested in taking CLA to help with weight loss, keep in mind that it's not a magic pill, and you will need to start a program of diet and exercise in order to successfully lose weight and keep it off.

This is just from one website, but from my research, they all seem to say about the same thing! So it's something that seems like it's worth taking just for general health reasons. It was $12 and some change for a bottle of 60 capsules at wal-mart. The directions say to take 2 capsules twice a day, so a bottle will last about 1/2 a month or so if you take it every day. I'm sure larger bottles can be purchased, but $25/month isn't a bad price to stay healthier! The nice things too is that the only shown "side effects" are nausea and diarreha, but that's more likely a temporary side effect until your body adjusts to it.