Gaba, what's that for?
GABA is short for Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid . It functions as an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, which directly affects personality and ability to manage stress.
If you're asleep or having trouble sleeping, GABA can help you sleep better as it works in the brain's relaxation area. When the brain becomes aroused or overactive, GABA stimulates the anterior pituitary gland, which ensures the release of the “Human Growth Hormone”, which helps people sleep better. This is just one benefit of GABA.
Some other important features of GABA include:
- Helps relax
- Increase alertness
- Increase in growth hormone levels
- Memory function enhancement
- Promoting muscle recovery
- Promoting the sense of wellbeing
- Stress reduction
- Anxiety Reduction
Dr. Ray Sahel, author of the book “Mind Boosters”, explains that GABA in the brain controls rhythmic theta waves. This gives a sense of physical and mental balance. “GABA is the most important and widespread inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain”. Too much excitement can lead to restlessness, irritability, insomnia, and even seizures. “GABA is able to induce relaxation, analgesia, and sleep.”. Ray Sahel.
Symptoms of GABA Deficiency
For anyone who experiences anxiety, irritability, stress and difficulty concentrating, it is important to note that these may also be symptoms of a GABA deficiency. Symptoms include:
- Anxiety
- Reduced sex drive
- Headaches
- Heart Disease
- Hypertension
- Irritability
- Heart palpitations
- Seizures
How to get GABA
GABA can be obtained by eating complex carbohydrates. Or by diet. Complex carbohydrates increase the level of glutamate, which in turn produces glutamine, an important amino acids needed for the production of GABA.
Amino acids, such as glutamine, are destroyed by cooking, so eating plant foods in its natural form is best. With this in mind, eating complex carbohydrates to boost your GABA production is very important. Food containing high amounts of single sugars should also be banned.
Foods that you can include in the diet:
