AYes, here's why. "Natural" has become such a commonplace and overused word that people may not trust it when they see it... Let's look at 5-HTP and then you be the judge. Your body obtains necessary nutrients—vitamins, minerals, enzymes—from food and water. One of those nutrients is tryptophan (trip-toe-fan), an amino acid found in milk, cheese and turkey. To use amino acids, your body must first break the molecular structure down to smaller units. In that process, one of the biochemical pathways leads to 5-hydroxy-tryptophan or 5-HTP. So you see, you can produce 5-HTP right inside your own body. Further down that chemical pathway, you also make serotonin (to help with mood and modify pain) and melatonin (for the sleep-wake cycle). Taking 5-HTP to help correct deficiencies found in those with fibromyalgia and chronic pain then, is only "natural". A word of caution: if you are taking a serotonin reuptake drug for these conditions, check with your doctor first before adding 5-HTP (more serotonin) to the drug regimen. Too much serotonin can make you sleepy, known as "serotonin syndrome".
Another word buyers of supplements like to see is "safe". Nutrients help build, repair and run the body and should be supplied by food. Since we know certain disorders are deficient in important brain chemicals (serotonin, dopamine) and minerals like magnesium, replacing them seems like a safe thing to do. There are two things to ask yourself. One is what are you trying to supplement and why, and the second is, are you on a medication? Knowing what a supplement will and will not do, any side effects and the potential outcome helps the product meet with your "safety" expectations. Recent surveys have shown that as many as 3 out of 5 Americans may be on a prescription drug. In the case of life-threatening disorders such as heart disease, hypertension and diabetes, medications may be critical. In those situations, working with your health care professional is the "safest" way to take supplements.
Bottom line? The next time you see the words "safe" and "natural", you'll know how to make sure the product is safe and natural to your specific health needs.