Gamma Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) is an inhibitory neurotransmitter that is a natural non-protein amino acid. It is used as a functional food additive in beverages, chocolate, apple juice, cocoa, sugar, toast, bread and yogurt products. Though it’s considered safe, some are convinced it has potentially dangerous health effects.
What Is Gamma Aminobutyric Acid?
Gamma-AminoButyric Acid, commonly referred to as GABA, is a vital neurotransmitter in white crystalline powder form. It offers a host of benefits, including increased brain activity and cell function, improved brain cell metabolism, prevention of dementia, significant alleviation of depression, and improved sleep quality. GABA is commonly used in nutritional supplements and pharmaceuticals or as an additive in nutritional foods and beverages.
Possible Side Effects of Gamma Aminobutyric Acid
Although Gamma Aminobutyric Acid generally regarded as a very safe and effective supplement, there can be some minor side effects. The side effects may:
- women who are pregnant or lactating should avoid taking GABA supplements. In addition, people with liver or kidney disease shouldn’t take GABA supplements without first consulting a doctor.
GRAS Affirmation: Yes
Generally recognized as safe (GRAS) is an American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) designation that a chemical or substance added to food is considered safe by experts, and so is exempted from the usual Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) food additive tolerance requirements. Gamma Aminobutyric Acid is considered safe.
Suggested Dosage
The suggested dose of GABA to be taken depends upon the condition that it aims to treat. For example, adults with high blood pressure are advised to take 10mg of GABA a day whereas users with conditions such as insomnia and anxiety, such as myself, can take higher doses of up to 1000mg a day.
Special Populations Precaution
There is a lot of concern about diet and nutrition for these population, like Newborns, children, pregnant, sensitive to Gamma Aminobutyric Acid populations. Better consult to your doctor if you would like to intake Gamma Aminobutyric Acid.
Related Research
1. Production of gaba (γ – Aminobutyric acid) by microorganisms: a review. [Braz J Microbiol. 2012 Oct] Author: Dhakal R, Bajpai VK, Baek KH.
2. Oral treatment with γ-aminobutyric acid improves glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity by inhibiting inflammation in high fat diet-fed mice. [PLoS One. 2011] Author: Tian J, Dang HN, Yong J, Chui WS, Dizon MP, Yaw CK, Kaufman DL.
3. Production of gamma-aminobutyric acid by Lactobacillus brevis NCL912 using fed-batch fermentation. [Microb Cell Fact. 2010 Nov 12] Author: Li H, Qiu T, Huang G, Cao Y.
4. Lactic acid bacterial cell factories for gamma-aminobutyric acid. [Amino Acids. 2010 Nov] Author: Li H, Cao Y.