GABA

High levels may reflect decreased ability to convert to succinate for use in the Krebs (citric acid) cycle for energy generation. Cofactors here are α-KG and vitamin B6.

GABA is elevated in sleep apnea, ovarian cancer, and is suspected in anxiety, foggy thinking, and lethargy.

High GABA levels in urine is seen in children diagnosed with infantile autism.

Research on urinary levels of GABA is scarce, however in individuals with anxiety and depression, GABA levels are low in the blood, in cerebrospinal fluid and in the brain (Mann, et. al. 2014; Goddard, 2016). 

The neurodegenerative condition, Huntington’s disease, also manifests as lowered levels of GABA as neuron loss proceeds. Vitamin B6 deficiency impairs GABA formation, offering one option to help assist patients with inadequate GABA production.

Low GABA levels have been found in:

- panic anxiety

- depression

- alcoholism

- bipolar disorders

- Huntin

- also seen in patients with epileptic and Huntington disease.

Possible treatments:

With low GABA, supplementation with:

- GABA,

- L-theanine,

- cofactor support (e.g. B6),

- growth hormonereleasing hormone,

- Ginko biloba,

- Ashwagandha,

- Kava,

- Valerian root,

- Melissa off. (lemon balm),

- Scutellaria sinensis (skullcap),

- Gotu Cola,

- Magnolia and Phellodendron bark,

- and probiotics may be helpful

Additionally, yoga (Streeter et al., 2012) and meditation (Guglietti et al., 2013) increase brain GABA levels.

References:

- Alramadhan et al., 2012;

- Awad et al., 2007;

- Alexeev et al., 2012;

- Dhakal et al., 2012.

γ-amino butyric acid (GABA) is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter of the brain. Its major precursor is L-glutamate, which is converted to GABA via the enzyme glutamate decarboxylase (GAD).

GABA has also been detected in other peripheral tissues including intestines, stomach, Fallopian tubes, uterus, ovaries, testes, kidneys, urinary bladder, the lungs and liver, albeit at much lower levels than in neurons or insulin- producing β-cells.

GABA's principial role:

GABA's principal role is reducing neuronal excitability throughout the nervous system. In humans, GABA is also directly responsible for the regulation of muscle tone. In addition, GABA controls the mood, sleep, blood pressure while preventing anxiety.

GABA is sold as a dietary supplement. GABA is found ubiquitously among plants. GABA is prevalent in foods such as Adzuki bean, barley, broccoli, buckwheat, chestnut, common bean, kale, lupin, maypop, mouse-ear hawkweed, oat, pea, pokeroot, potato, rice, shiitake, soya bean, spinach, St John’s wort, sweet potato, tea, tomato, valerian, wheat, wild celery.