Sleep and Weight Loss: Yo Gaba - Turn Off My Brain At Night
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Sleep is essential for weight loss. If you have ever had the feeling that your brain won't shut off just when you need it to, you might give GABA a look
TRADE NAME: GABA
Chemical Name: Gamma-aminobutryic acid
Type of Supplement: Sleep Aid, muscle recovery/growth (alleged)
WHAT IT IS: As a neurotransmitter in the brain, GABA induces relaxation to counter excitation1.
HOW IT WORKS: GABA is formed from glutamate (an amino acid) and vitamin B6. Glutamic acid decarboxylate constitutes the necessary enzyme to synthesize GABA. It appears that once GABA is made, increases in the alpha-type waves of the brain occur, which produces an anti-anxiety and relaxation effect. GABA may also play an anti-seizure role because of its ability to induce inhibitory signals in the brain. Glutamine-containing foods and a ketogenic diet (which typically favors glutamine synthesis and acetate production, to which brain cells then convert to glutamine) promote GABA formation2. Anabolic steroids may modulate GABA receptors in the brain3.
PRIMARY EFFECTS: GABA is primarily used for those experiencing anxiety or sleeplessness (insomnia). It appears levels of GABA in the brain vary between the sexes.
EFFECTIVE DOSAGE LEVEL: Approximately 250 mg GABA taken three times per day.
SUPPLEMENT CONFLICTS: Those on prescription medication may want to check with an allied health professional before using high doses of GABA.
SIDE EFFECTS: None reported.
References:
1. Relaxation and immunity enhancement effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) administration in humans.
Biofactors. 2006;26(3):201-8. Department of Research and Development, Pharma Foods International Co. Ltd., Kyoto, Japan.
2. Yudkoff M, et al. The Ketogenic Diet and Brain Metabolism of Amino Acids: Relationship to the Anticonvulsant Effect. Annu Rev Nutr. 2007 Apr 19; [Epub ahead of print]
3. Henderson LP, Anabolic androgenic steroids and forebrain GABAergic transmission. Neuroscience. 2006;138(3):793-9. Epub 2005 Nov 28.
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