| As a dietary supplement, GABA
is typically promoted to bodybuilders and other athletes as a nutrient
to help stimulate secretion of growth hormone, decrease body fat levels
and increase lean muscle tissue. The problem, however, is that GABA does
not cross the blood-brain barrier, so it can not get into the brain where
it is active. A related compound known as GHB (gamma-hydroxybutyric acid)
differs from GABA only by substitution of GABA’s amino group with a hydroxyl
(OH) group – making GHB able to cross into the brain. As such, products
containing GHB have been promoted as supplements to increase growth hormone
levels, aid recovery from exercise and promote relaxation and sleep. GABA
and GHB appear to be readily interconvertible in the brain and a number
of chemically related compounds, such as GBL (gamma-butyrolactone), BD
(1,4-butanediol) and furanone (2,3H-furanone di-hydro) are rapidly converted
in the body into GHB. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the National
Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) consider GHB and related compounds (GBL,
BD, furanone) to be dangerous unapproved drugs due to their tendency to
cause seizures and other adverse side effects. GABA, however, is classified
as an amino acid which is legal for use as a dietary supplement. Studies
which have examined glutamate supplements (glutamate can be converted into
GABA) in athletes have shown a suppression of serum GH levels during exercise
in cyclists receiving glutamate/arginine supplements. Another study found
10 grams of oral glutamic acid to stimulate the secretion some pituitary
hormones (prolactin and cortisol), but no effect was seen on GH levels. |
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Scientific Support The predominant effects of GHB are sedative.
At low doses, GHB can relieve anxiety and produce relaxation – as the dose
increases, however, the sedative effects result in sleep and eventual coma
or death. GHB is one of a number of drugs implicated as “date rape” drugs
for its effects as a central nervous system depressant. GHB also stimulates
the release of growth hormone from the anterior pituitary gland – but no
studies have ever shown GHB to result in positive changes in body fat levels,
muscle mass or strength. Whether or not GHB works is sort of a moot point
– as the FDA banned over-the-counter sale of GHB in 1990 – but it is still
available in various forms (GBL, BD, furanone) in illegal dietary supplements
and on the black market.
Although GABA can be converted into GHB in the brain, and both appear
to have power actions in certain regions of the brain, it is unclear whether
orally administered GABA is converted to GHB. It does appear, however,
that pituitary growth hormone release is partly regulated by blood levels
of GABA.
Many supplement marketers cite a single obscure Italian study as
evidence that GABA increases growth hormone (GH) secretion in athletes.
The study, which was conducted over 20 years ago, was carried out in fewer
than 20 subjects, and while it did show an increase in blood levels of
GH, it has yet to be replicated by other scientists.
In more recent studies (in sheep), intravenous administration of GABA
resulted in a rapid increase in plasma GH levels, while direct administration
of GABA into the brain produced a significant increase in GH release. In
other studies (in mice), increased concentrations of GABA in the systemic
circulation have been linked to impaired liver repair. |
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Increases growth hormone levels
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Induces relaxation / sleep
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Promotes muscle recovery
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Relieves anxiety / Promotes feelings of well-being
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Safety:
Although the chemical structure of GABA and GHB are similar, we are
not aware of any adverse events associated with GABA-containing dietary
supplements. GHB, however, is a far different story. Despite its presence
in a wide variety of dietary supplements, the FDA considers it to be an
illegal/unapproved drug – and not a supplement ingredient. As such, the
FDA has moved to remove such products from the marketplace – and with good
reason.
GHB-containing products have been associated with a number of adverse
side effects related to the dose of GHB. Low doses of GHB (0.5-1.5 grams)
typically induce feelings of relaxation similar to mild alcohol intoxication,
while medium doses (1-2.5 grams) increase muscle relaxation and cause physical
disequilibrium and loss of coordination. High doses of GHB (above 2.5 grams)
result in nausea, vomiting, and drowsiness as well as more serious adverse
effects such as depressed breathing, bradycardia (slow heart rate), coma,
and even death. Alcohol and other drugs with central nervous system depressant
effects are known to compound the effect of GHB.
**Toxic reactions have also been reported for supplement products
containing GBL, BD and furanone.
Details
GABA (Gamma Aminobutyric Acid). GABA is an amino acid classified as
a neurotransmitter. Studies have shown GABA to play a key role in the secretion
of growth hormone. The principle anabolic actions of growth hormone include
the stimulation of amino acid transport, stimulation of protein synthesis
and the proliferation of cell growth. AST Sports Science selectively imports
GABA under rigid quality control conditions. Each batch is HPLC Certified
and Laboratory Tested for purity and potency. (Statements made have not
been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not
intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.)
Directions
Recommended Use: For adults only. As a dietary supplement, take three
to five grams mixed with 8 ounces of water or juice approximately 30 minutes
before sleep.(010003)
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