GABA or gamma-Aminobutyric acid is a neurotransmitter that is produced in the central nervous system of the body. It is considered one of the chief inhibitory neurotransmitters in the nervous system of the human body. This substance works to reduce excitability and helps to regulate body functions. It has a natural calming effect and can reduce the ravages of stress and anxiety and the demands of a very busy lifestyle that many of us have today.
This neurotransmitter’s main function is to reduce anxiety and irritability in the brain and central nervous system. It has a very calming effect on the body and the brain. It also helps us to focus and keep ourselves on track.
The body works in many ways on a check and balance system. GABA supplement is one of those substances that helps retain that balance. It has a role in working with all the other neurotransmitters seeing that they remain working and functioning in the proper manner. GABA is also responsible for providing a relaxing effect on the muscles of the body. GABA is also responsible for assisting in the production of the endorphins that are responsible for giving us that feeling of well being. We produce endorphins when we perform certain activities such as exercising, running or having sexual intercourse. These endorphins give the person a natural high or feeling of extreme well being.
When a person has a decreased amounts of GABA in their central nervous system, they will exhibit symptoms such as irritability, anxiety, headaches, insomnia and panic attacks. They can have decreased sexual drive and function, irregular heart rate and palpitations, high blood pressure and even seizures. People who have a deficiency in GABA can experience spastic or hypertonic muscle tone and even muscle tremors. Continued stress and anxiety for long periods of time can lead to a compromised immune system and then physical disease due to this.
Everyone knows that life is more stressful than it was 50 years ago and there seems to be no end in sight to our non stop lives. As all of our lives become more busy and stressful our anxiety levels will continue to rise. How long will our bodies be able to produce enough natural substances such as GABA in order to take care of our problems? How will we cope? Will we turn to our physicians for medication to reduce the stress? We know that there are medications out there that will help but they all have side effects and issues of their own. Would it not be better if we could produce our own natural calming agent like GABA in enough quantity to take care of our problems?
In that light, how could the average consumer be sure that they are producing enough GABA to have a healthy level in their body? Well there are many foods that contain GABA that can be eaten in our daily diet. According to Dr. Eric Braverman, author of The Edge Effect these foods are high in GABA. Almonds, walnuts, rice bran, lentils, oranges and other citrus fruits, bananas, beef liver, broccoli and spinach are all foods that have high levels of GABA. Eating these foods on a daily basis can help to boost the amount of GABA in the body and help us to feel much more relaxed and have a sense of well being.
Close to GABA another amino acid that works in conjunction with it and has the same calming effect is L-theanine. This is found in green tea and is a precursor of GABA. It is one of the substances that is necessary for the body to form GABA. L-theanine can also be used for its calming effects on the mind and the body. Drinking green tea with L-theanine would ultimately help increase the formation of GABA in the body.
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Yes, tea has L-theanine in it. It’s the simple and inexpensive way to destress–just drink your tea. But understand it isn’t exclusive to green tea. All true Camellia Sinensis teas have L-theanine in them to balance off the theine (caffeine.) Black, white, yellow, Oolong, and Pu-erh teas all have this wonderful amino acid since it occurs naturally in the plant. –Teaternity