gaba: natural anti-anxiety

56 NaturalMuscle March2010

It’sbecomealmostanepidemicforpeopletofeelchronicallyanxious,irritableorunfocused.Forsome,chronicanxietycanbecomedebilitating.Low levels of GABA, gamma-aminobutyricacid,maybe theculprit.AGABAdeficiency

candirectlyimpactaperson’sabilitytohandledaytodayorlongtermstress.

Thecalming,or“peacemaker”chemicalinthebrain,GABAinducesrelaxation,reducesstressandanxiety,andincreasesalertness.Oneofthefourkeyneurotrans-mitters,GABAalsokeepsalltheotherneurotransmittersincheck.

How to naturally increase GABA:Whilemanypeoplewithanxietytakeprescription

medicationssuchasValium,XanaxorAtivan,benzo-diazepinedrugsthatstimulateGABAreceptors,thesedrugsoftenproduceunwantedsideeffects.

Thesafestwaytonaturallyboostyourmood,andbalanceyourbrainchemistryistoeatfoodthatincreasetheproductionofkeyneurotransmitters.AndinthecaseofGABA,thatmeanseatingmorecomplexcarbohy-drates. Complex carbs increase glutamine, an aminoacidandprecursor,(precedesthecreationof)GABA.Try IntroducingGABA-friendly foods intoyourdietandavoideatingexcessivesimplesugars,whitefloursandwheatproducts(besideswholegrains).

Supplement with L-theanine to reduce anxiety:

If these foods don’tappeal to you, you havefoodallergiesoryoudon’tfeelenoughoftheGABAbenefits, consider supple-menting with L-theanine.This naturally occurringaminoacidfoundingreentea is involved in the for-mationofGABAandhasfew,ifany,sideeffects.L-theaninecreatesacalmingaffect in people withoutdrowsiness while also in-creasingmentalclarity.

L-theanine supple-mentsareavailableatmosthealthfoodstores.BesuretobuySuntheanine®,thetestedandpatentedformofL-theanine trademarked byTaiyo International, butavailablethroughseveralsupplementmanufacturers.

Vary the dose and frequency according to yoursymptoms.Mostpeoplefindbetween100to200mg1to4timesadayasneedediseffective.

How does GABA work to lower anxiety?GABA controls your brain’s rhythmic theta wavesso you feel more physically and mentally balanced.Dr.RaySahelian,authorofMindBoostersexplains,“GABAisthemostimportantandwidespreadinhibitoryneurotransmitter in thebrain.Excitation in thebrainmustbebalancedwithinhibition.Toomuchexcitationcanleadtorestlessness,irritability,insomnia,andevenseizures.GABAisabletoinducerelaxation,analgesia,andsleep.”

GABAcreatesasenseofwell-being.“GABAisalso involved in the production of endorphins, brainchemicalsthatcreateafeelingofwell-beingknownas‘runnershigh.’,”explainsDr.Braverman.“Endorphinsareproducedinthebrainduringphysicalmovement,suchasstretchingorevensexualintercourse.”Asen-dorphinsarereleased,youbegintofeelasenseofcalm,

oftenreferredtoastheEndorphinEffect.Althoughfeelingoccasionalanxietyiscommon,

chronic anxiety is not and can lower your qualityof life and negatively impact your immune system.Anti-anxietymedicationsoftencomewithalonglistofunwantedsideeffectsandandrisks.TheaminoacidL-theanine(Suntheanine®)mayoffersomepeopleasafeandnaturalalternative.

Ifyou’resufferingfromchronicanxiety,askyourdoctortotestyourneurotransmitterlevels(urinetest)and hormone levels (saliva is preferable). Hormonesandneurotransmittersareinterrelatedinhowtheycanaffectmoodregulation.*Be sure to talk to your doctor before stopping a medication or combining supplements with current medications.

byLauraOwens.

GABA:YourBrain’sOwnAnti-AnxietyMedication

FeelCalmWithoutTheSideEffectsofAnxietyDrugs.

Foods that increase GABA:AccordingtoDr.Braverman,authorof“TheEdgeEffect,”thefollowingfoods

arehighinglutamicacid/glutamate(formsglutamine,precursortoGABA):•Almonds,treenuts

•Bananas•BeefLiver•Broccoli

•BrownRice•Halibut•Lentils

•Oats,wholegrain•Oranges,citrusfruits

•Ricebran•Spinach•Walnuts

•Wholewheat,wholegrains.People with a GABA deficiency

often experience:

• Anxiety symptoms

• Irritability

• Headaches

• Hypertension

• Palpitations

• Seizures

• Lower sex drive

• Disorders of the heart

Laura Owens is a professional freelance writer. She provide well-researched information and knowledge for empowered living. Armed with accurate information and insights, people have the power to positively impact their own lives, and the lives of those around them.You can read more of her articles at http://lauraowens.wordpress.com/ or send her an email at Laao@cfl.rr.com