GABA (GABA) is widespread in animals and plants. It is present in the brain of animals and is a major inhibitory transmitter of nerves, activates blood flow in the brain, increases the flow of oxygen to the brain and promotes the metabolic function of brain cells. It has also been shown to improve symptoms such as headaches, tinnitus, memory impairment and loss of motivation caused by stroke and cerebral atherosclerosis, and reduces blood pressure by acting on the vasomotor center of the medulla oblongata. The gamma-aminobutyric acid drug (a synthetic product), marketed as a pharmaceutical product, has a stimulating effect on brain metabolism and has been shown to improve various symptoms of cerebrovascular disease, such as cerebral infarction and cerebral hemorrhage, as well as preventing high blood pressure. Recent medical research on GABA has shown that it is effective in relieving psychiatric symptoms (anger, agitation, insomnia, irritability, complaints, etc.) associated with menopausal disorders and autonomic nervous disorders. In addition, GABA has recently become one of the ingredients used in foods with functional properties.
Recommended intake: 100 mg of GABA per day.
GABA is an amino acid that has attracted a lot of attention for its ability to relax, lower blood pressure, and reduce stress. Its full name is gamma-aminobutyric acid.
The history of GABA begins in 1950 when it was discovered in the mammalian brain.
From there it was noticed and after research it was found that GABA is a neurotransmitter* that works in the central nervous system.
This led to the approval in 1961 of a medical drug containing GABA as the main ingredient.
In 1979 it was discovered that GABA acts as a neurotransmitter in the gastrointestinal tract, and since then it has been found in various parts of the human body. This suggests that GABA is an important part of the human body.
GABA is originally present in the human body, but it is also found in tsukemono - Japanese pickles and in miso.
GABA is especially abundant in sprouted brown rice, which is said to contain it several times more than white or brown rice.
GABA is also synthesized from glutamic acid, a neurotransmitter found in gluten**, which is the base of fu (wheat flour), and from Ginkgo biloba extract.
The typical function of GABA, relaxation, has been widely discussed in the media.
GABA has the ability to reduce nervous tension and suppresses the state of arousal that increases during stress and exercise.In a state of arousal, the brain actively releases adrenaline***, but GABA suppresses adrenaline release.
By taking large amounts of GABA, you can reduce the state of arousal and bring your body to a state of relaxation that is easier to rest.
GABA also helps to normalize blood pressure and saturation
When a person is relaxed, they produce brain waves called alpha waves*. GABA is known to have a relaxing effect because GABA amplifies alpha waves.
The sympathetic nervous system, which controls the state of activity and tension, and the parasympathetic nervous system, which controls the state of rest and relaxation, are largely responsible for how the brain perceives stress. When we are stressed, our brain becomes tense and the sympathetic nervous system becomes active, causing our nervous system to become overactive. This can lead to an imbalance in the autonomic nervous system**, which can cause stomach ulcers***, insomnia, high blood pressure and other health problems. In particular, the stomach is a very sensitive organ to stress, so chronic stress can cause the release of excess stomach acid, which attacks the mucous membranes of the stomach and duodenum.
GABA can prevent the symptoms and negative effects of such stress by activating the parasympathetic nervous system and calming the mind and body. GABA has also been shown to improve menopausal complaints**** due to its relaxing effect on the unequal system.
In an experiment examining how GABA alters stressful states, it was found that when men and women with acrophobia were forced to cross a suspension bridge, mental stress was relieved by taking GABA. This was done by collecting saliva before, in the middle of, and after crossing the suspension bridge and studying a substance called chromogranin A, which is secreted in saliva depending on the state of mental stress. A psychological test before and after crossing the suspension bridge also showed that GABA helps reduce stress and anxiety.
GABA also plays a role in sleep. When the body is stressed and agitated, it is difficult to fall asleep. GABA reduces agitation and makes it easier to fall asleep. GABA is also produced during sleep, so it is important to take GABA through diet or supplements if there is a deficiency.
Persistent high blood pressure can lead to atherosclerosis, heart disease, and stroke. High blood pressure can be caused by excessive salt intake, heredity, and stress.
GABA improves kidney function and removes salt (sodium), which causes high blood pressure.
In addition, GABA is not known to affect normal blood pressure, but has a hypotensive effect only on high blood pressure. In animal studies as well as in human clinical trials, it has been shown to lower blood pressure.
GABA also prevents the elevation of cholesterol and triglycerides that cause atherosclerosis.
Therefore, it is thought to prevent the development of atherosclerosis and diabetes.
* Alpha waves are brain waves that are often generated during relaxation.
** The autonomic nervous system is the nerves that unconsciously regulate the entire body.
*** A stomach ulcer is a condition in which the protective mucous membrane of the stomach is dissolved by stomach juice, causing nausea and abdominal pain.
**** Menopause is a condition that usually occurs in women between the ages of 40 and 60. An imbalance of female hormones can cause symptoms such as palpitations, hot flashes, and irritability.
1] Injecting GABA into the bone marrow of rats with Parkinson's disease resulted in improved Parkinson's disease symptoms, suggesting that GABA is useful for the prevention of Parkinson's disease.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21235809
2] When rats were fed 50, 100 mg/100 g of GABA, the growth hormone concentration and protein synthesis rate increased, indicating that GABA has a growth-promoting effect.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16755368
3] When spontaneously hypertensive rats were fed a diet containing 0.15% GABA for 8 weeks, their blood pressure dropped, suggesting that GABA has a preventive effect on hypertension.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15630275
4] A single treatment of 10 patients with cortical cerebellar atrophy (CMA) with 400 mg of the GABA-containing drug gabapentin and a dose of 900-1600 mg after treatment for 4 weeks improved their ataxia, suggesting that GABA has a preventive effect on neurological disease.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15218338
5] Ghrelin is a substance that controls appetite. Intracerebroventricular administration of ghrelin is known to reduce appetite. It is believed that the mechanism of appetite reduction is related to the inhibition by ghrelin of the synthesis and release of GABA, which suggests a link between GABA and appetite.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22549983
6] When 63 healthy people were given 100 mg of GABA, EEG (electroencephalogram) activity (alpha and beta waves: dependent on mental stress) decreased, indicating that GABA has a stress-relieving effect.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22203366
7] After 80 patients with hypertension consumed chlorella products containing 20 mg of GABA for 12 weeks, systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased, suggesting that GABA has a preventive effect on hypertension.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19811362
