Although glutamate and glutathione are cousins, they produce opposite effects. ![]() NAC also protects the brain, thanks to its capacity to boost the body’s production of glutathione. NAC is commonly administered in emergency rooms to treat acetaminophen overdoses. (Note: Consult with your healthcare provider before starting a supplement regimen.) NAC (N-acetylcysteine)Ī powerful antioxidant, NAC can help protect the liver from pollutants, chemicals, medications, and alcohol improve respiratory health and boost immune function. The following amino-acid supplements can help balance glutamate and GABA: NAC, inositol, and taurine. To remedy this, you can either reduce the effects of glutamate, enhance the activity of GABA, or both. ![]() Much like a car without brake fluid, it has lost the ability to slow things down. Likewise, if GABA levels fall too low, the brain lacks enough inhibition to keep glutamate in check. In excess, it can morph from excitatory to “excitotoxic,” creating an inflammatory state in the brain. If your brain is in overdrive, it may be a signal that you have too much glutamate for your own good. When you feel anxious, it’s a sign the balance has been thrown off. In medical parlance, these are “excitatory” and “inhibitory.” When glutamate and GABA are in balance, they keep the brain humming along at just the right pace - not too fast, not too slow. Glutamate hits the accelerator, while GABA applies the brakes. A key pair is glutamate and GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), together they regulate more than 80 percent of brain activity. ![]() Part of the brain’s elegant design involves a binary system in which one chemical activates a process and a partner chemical turns it off. A varied diet of fresh whole foods is the bedrock of balanced brain function when this equilibrium is disturbed, however, nutritional supplements - especially amino acids, which contain building blocks for our neurotransmitters - can help. In my practice, I use “nutraceuticals” as part of a synergistic approach to healing anxiety. Often it’s a matter of rebalancing the chemicals called neurotransmitters, and there are many ways to do this without pharmaceuticals. The brain is a complex organ, but optimizing it to support improved mental health can be simple.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |