Characteristic

GABA, or gamma-aminobutyric acid, is a neurotransmitter, a chemical messenger that is abundant in nerve cells in the cerebral cortex.

The GABA receptor is an inhibitory neurotransmitter, meaning that it tends to slow down the transmission of nerve signals.

Without GABA, neurons can get carried away and transmit nerve impulses incoherently.

The natural function of GABA is therefore to slow down the nerve activity of the neurons to which it binds.

GABA is therefore essential for promoting relaxation and appears to be involved in certain stages of memorisation and would, among other things, serve to control fear or anxiety manifested by neuronal over-excitation.

What does GABA do in the body?

GABA has a stabilising role, stimulating regular functioning at a mental and physical level.

It promotes calm, lowers muscle tone, reduces seizures in epilepsy and muscle spasms.

Most importantly, it reduces heart rate and blood pressure.

It is known to play a key role in controlling anxiety, helping people to relax and fall asleep.

GABA production can be stimulated by deep breathing and mindfulness meditation, which reduces stress and helps you fall asleep faster.

What are the effects of GABA deficiency?

Low levels of this neurotransmitter lead to difficulty falling asleep despite fatigue, anxiety, recurrent muscle or neuropathic pain, and a tendency to be irritable.

Here are some of the signs to look out for:

• I find it hard to concentrate because I am nervous
• I have shakes from time to time
• I often feel short of breath
• I sweat a lot sometimes
• I often feel tired after a good night's sleep
• I have mood swings and have a racing mind

How to compensate for GABA deficiency?

GABA occurs naturally in plants, but is mainly synthesised endogenously by our bodies from glutamic acid.

Since it has difficulty crossing the blood-brain barrier to reach the brain, its release by the neurons themselves should be favoured over direct ingestion of GABA-enriched substances.

In order to synthesise this neurotransmitter adequately, various measures must be taken:

• A healthy diet, including:
  • Vegetables (broccoli, spinach, etc.)
  • Oats, nuts, almonds, walnuts
  • Starches (lentils, potatoes, rice)
  • Fish (halibut, etc.)
  • Beef liver
  • Fruits: bananas, oranges
  • Astragalus and some teas, etc.
• Rest, because most people don't get enough sleep and don't sleep well.
• Physical activity

Specifically, GABA synthesis is enhanced by:

• Inositol, a sugar normally synthesised by the body and found in many fruits, vegetables, legumes, seeds and oilseeds.
• So-called "branched" amino acids
  • Leucine: "Gruyère cheese, turkey, spirulina, beans, pistachios, whey, etc.
  • Isoleucine: nuts, seeds, lentils, rye, eggs, chicken, etc.
  • Valine: peanuts, mushrooms, soya beans, lupin, parmesan, seeds of all kinds.
• All B vitamins, including vitamin B6

The food supplements

If a metabolic disorder interrupts GABA synthesis or accelerates its degradation, some anxiolytic drugs also mimic the action of GABA, but with side effects and a risk of addiction.

It is preferable to allow the neurons to produce it directly by supplying them with GABA precursors:

• L-theanine, an amino acid found in small amounts in tea that increases GABA synthesis:
  • Promotes relaxation and quality sleep without having a sedative effect
  • In the waking state, it seems to increase attention and concentration.
• Another natural product with an affinity for GABA receptors in the brain is alpha-casozepine, a peptide derived from milk casein and present in the patented product Lactium.
  • This is a good option for long-term control of mild anxiety.
  • Formulas combining alpha-casozepine with melatonin or other sleep inducers are used for sleep problems.

Don't overlook the fact that a highly anxious temperament cannot be explained by a GABA deficiency alone.