Brain Boosting Blog: Glutamine and GABA

 Brain Boosting Blog: Glutamine and GABA

“The two most important neurotransmitters are glutamate and GABA. Glutamate is excitatory, meaning that when it’s released and encounters a receptor, it encourages that second neuron to “fire” and send its own neurotransmitters to still more neurons. GABA is the chief inhibitory neurotransmitter, meaning that it tells neurons not to fire. Without it, the brain would go haywire.” -James Fallon

• Gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) production needs glutamate

• Glutamate is the “master switch”

• Glutamate is made in the CAC

• GABA inhibits excitatory pathways

I chose to write this blog post on two neurotransmitters (NTs) because they’re so closely tied to one another that it’s hard to talk about one of them without mentioning the other. Gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) is an important NT that depends on another NT, glutamate, for its production and function. Glutamate like GABA is ubiquitously made in every cell of the body. Glutamate provides motivation and reward as part of executive functions. It also activates GABA to prevent sensory overload. 

At the Cellular Level

From alpha ketoglutarate in the CAC glutamate is synthesized with the help of the enzyme glutamate synthase. And, from there it is transformed into GABA using vitamins and enzymes. If you struggle with dysglycemia then you may not be able to properly run your cells’ CAC to make pyruvate to create these NTs. If you are anemic and you’re not getting oxygen to all of your cells then they will also be unable to run the CAC for energy. Inflammation from either of the aforementioned conditions or just on its own causes dysfunction in neural transmission of NTs like glutamate and GABA. Further, degradation of the blood brain barrier function (BBB) and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) will create a proinflammatory environment inhibiting NT function. GABA has a main role of inhibiting excitatory pathways. A lack of GABA can ultimately cause problems in the cerebellum like with balance, coordination, vestibule or control. Deficiency can also cause issues in the frontal lobe creating a sympathetic dominance. GABA can also create problems falling asleep, and staying asleep.

What do I do now

Diet can help immensely with these NT issues. Many of the nutrients required for the processes to create these NTs are obtained through diet. If you are not getting them it doesn’t matter how optimal your body is functioning. Anemia can be helped by first figuring out what kind of anemia it is. This will lead to the cause and then the most helpful intervention protocol that can be used. With dysglycemia the cause is also very important.  Cause will help determine if the low blood sugar is from improper intake (supply) or excessive intake (insulin resistance). How to treat depends on this key factor.  Inflammation from any disease process can be treated with supplementation/herbs, dietary changes, exercise, and stress reduction. All these issues are treatable and not something one has to live with if properly controlled. If you are struggling or feel like your brain needs to keep it up a notch, please reach out to strausmethod@gmail.com for any help you need.