GABA – Nourished Blessings

Methylation

Methylation

This is not a comprehensive list, simply some articles I have found along the way. “Methylation also plays a role in the GABA and glutamate balance in a variety of ways. For one, if there is impairment in the methylation pathway, then folate doesn’t get utilized and it can break down into glutamate. Additionally, if you are not methylating properly you may not be able to suppress microbes like viruses or make enough T cells to fight them off, which means they will linger around to interfere with the GAD enzyme. Methylation may be impaired due [...]

Methylationandistowe2019-09-16T14:40:17-04:00

Anxiety & Depression

Anxiety & Depression

This is not a comprehensive list, simply some articles I have found along the way. Ever hear people talk about their need for Xanax to relax or calm their anxiety? Xanax and other benzodiazepine pharmaceutical options (Valium works similarly) help to temporarily restore balance between glutamate and GABA by artificially increasing GABA. This increase in GABA calms the over excitation from excess glutamate, acting as a mild sedative. Unfortunately, artificially increasing GABA through the use of these pharmaceuticals will actually decrease natural production of GABA, only intensifying the problem. One of the best ways to naturally increase [...]

Anxiety & Depressionandistowe2019-09-27T20:41:32-04:00

Lowering Glutamate | B1 (Thiamine)

Lowering Glutamate | B1 (Thiamine)

Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)- found in sunflower seeds, macadamia nuts, beans & lentils helps to convert glutamine to GABA “Extracellular glutamate is increased in thalamus during thiamine deficiency-induced lesions and is blocked by MK-801.” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8245970 The following is information from a paper written by the INCREDIBLE Dr. Russell Blaylock on the role of Thiamine, Neurodegenerative Diseases, and Excitotoxicity. Blaylock RL. The biochemical basis of neurodegenerative disease: The role of immunoexcitoxicity and ways to possibly attenuate it. Surg Neurol Int. 2023 Apr 21;14:141. doi: 10.25259/SNI_250_2023. PMID: 37151454; PMCID: PMC10159298. "There is growing scientific and clinical evidence that that [...]

Lowering Glutamate | B1 (Thiamine)andistowe2024-08-24T18:25:21-04:00

Lowering Glutamate | Taurine

Lowering Glutamate | Taurine

Taurine–Is an inhibitory amino acid. Beef, lamb, dark chicken meat, and eggs are food sources of taurine. Why is taurine from whole food important? Commercial taurine supplements can increase sulfur which may already be high due to certain gene mutations (CBS & SUOX), and supplementing any free amino acid can pose some amount of glutamate risk. Additionally, the toxins associated with yeast/candida (which is very common) can deplete taurine. Since taurine is so important in the conversion of glutamate to GABA and as an inhibitory neurotransmitter, it is important that adequate levels are achieved through diet. [...]

Lowering Glutamate | Taurineandistowe2024-08-24T19:09:56-04:00

Lowering Glutamate | Honokiol (Magnolia Bark)

Lowering Glutamate | Honokiol (Magnolia Bark)

Honokiol (connected to magnolol) also known as Magnolia Bark Extract , is rapidly gaining in popularity due to its ability to help relive the symptoms many aliments associated with excess glutamate. Honokiol helps to convert excess glutamate into GABA. While it is primarily known to help combat cancer, inflammation, depression, sleep disturbances, EBV, Lyme and manage pain, it also carries quite a few risks, especially when recreationally misused. Please do your own research and consult with your medical provider before starting this one as it impacts benzodiazepine sites. This is just a brief overview of what [...]

Lowering Glutamate | Honokiol (Magnolia Bark)andistowe2024-08-24T18:47:54-04:00

Lowering Glutamate | Lemon Balm

Lowering Glutamate | Lemon Balm

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis L)- increases GABA which helps lower glutamate and establish balance between the two neurotransmitters. “These results suggest that MOE increases cell proliferation, neuroblast differentiation and integration into granule cells by decreasing serum corticosterone levels as well as by increasing GABA levels in the mouse DG.” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21076869

Lowering Glutamate | Lemon Balmandistowe2024-08-24T18:54:11-04:00

Lowering Glutamate | GABA

Lowering Glutamate | GABA

GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid)– Many believe that taking GABA can be a quick fix to resolve underlying glutamate problems, but unfortunately, for some, this is not the case. It is my understanding that to increase GABA, one must work to lower glutamate and increase beneficial gut bacteria. Sprouted or germinated rice (especially black rice) is often recommended to increase GABA. The sprouting/germination process increases the naturally occurring levels of GABA, but due to the protein degradation that occurs in this process, it can also increases free glutamate. “GABA itself can be converted back into glutamine, which is then [...]

Lowering Glutamate | GABAandistowe2024-08-24T18:42:29-04:00