Many nutritional supplements are available on store shelves with little to no indication as to their safety, when taken with one or more other ones. Two supplements that fall into this category are 5-hydroxytryptophan and gamma-aminobutyric acid(GABA). More commonly known as 5-HTP and GABA. Combining these supplements in small doses may be safe, but sufficient research does not exist regarding their effects in combination on the human body.
Uses 5-HTP and GABA
GABA Supplement is a naturally occurring neurotransmitter. It helps to modulate the firing of neurons in your central nervous system, when present in your brain. Because of this effect, manufacturers often claim that GABA is useful for relaxation and as a sleep aid. The supplement 5-HTP is a precursor to the mood-calming chemical serotonin, and some studies have shown it to be effective in treating depression and insomnia. Though 5-HTP has demonstrated to be mildly effective. GABA has not for most users, because it has difficulty crossing the blood-brain barrier. Therefore, GABA is unlikely to provide any additional relaxation effects, when used in combination with 5-HTP.
Contraindications
According to the NYU Langone Medical Center, there are no known contraindications for GABA. It is meaning that it is potentially safe to take it with 5-HTP. However, the medical institution adds that there are no significant studies regarding GABA’s interactions with other supplements. So there is no guarantee that you can safely use them in combination.
Natural Occurrence
Little is known about the interaction of 5-HTP and GABA in supplement form. But it is likely that you have consumed both in limited doses from your diet. In a GABA safety proposal received by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2008, the research team of Pharma Foods International states that GABA naturally occurs in small doses in fermented foods, melons, tomatoes, and potatoes. 5-HTP does not occur naturally in food. But its precursor amino acid tryptophan occurs in turkey, milk, and potatoes.
Safe Dosage
Best-selling supplement author Ray Sahelian, MD claims that you are unlikely to have a negative drug interaction when you combine 5-HTP and GABA in small amounts. He adds that you should always speak to a physician before combining the two supplements because each person has a unique physiology that may present complications. Recommended dosages for GABA can range widely from 10 mg to 1000 mg depending on its prescribed use, and 5-HTP carries a recommended dosage of up to 150 mg per day.
Does GABA really work?
Of course, it is proved that GABA pills or supplements are able to increase GABA levels in the human brain. By doing so, many patients suffering from anxiety, stress, depression, less sleep increased their GABA level and got cured. In fact, some supplement manufacturers call GABA a “natural form of Valium” that it reduces stress and improves relaxation and sleep.
Can GABA cause anxiety?
No. GABA is a solution for anxiety. GABA has some anxiolytic properties (anxiety-reducing properties). It has been used as an additional medicine or even a frontline treatment in some cases of anxiety disorders by some physicians.
It is used to treat anxiety that occurs by schizophrenia but not used in the treatment of the specific symptoms of any disorders.
How can I increase Serotonin levels naturally?
Serotonin levels can be increased naturally by taking certain sorts of foods. Eating Salmon Fish, Poultry including Chicken, Turkey, and Goose, Boiled eggs, Dark green leafy vegetables like Spinach, Milk and other dairy foods containing high calcium, Soy products, and Nuts are very much known to increase serotonin levels naturally.
Does coffee increase Estrogen?
Coffee is a primary source of caffeine which affects women’s reproductive hormones such as estrogen. Not really does coffee increase the estrogen levels, it affects the higher and lower estrogen levels. Caffeine is associated with higher estrogen levels for Asian women and for White women it associates lower estrogen levels.
