PharmaGABA® Supplement - Helps to Fight Stress and Anxiety

PharmaGABA® 125mg is a dietary supplement containing GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) for inner relaxation. It’s a neurotransmitter which helps to inhibit the central nervous system which has been produced naturally by the fermentation process of Lactobacillus hilgardii.

Is PharmaGABA well-absorbed? Is it natural?

GABA has been available in supplement form for several decades. However, this new form of GABA is much more effective. Once ingested, it is easily absorbed by the body.

PharmaGABA is produced naturally through fermentation of Lactobacillus hilgardii, a beneficial bacteria used for fermenting vegetables in the traditional Korean dish kimchi. The vast majority of GABA supplements are produced synthetically from pyrrolidinone.

Which foods contain GABA?

GABA is a metabolic product specific to microorganisms and so is not found in fresh foods but in fermented ones, such as kefir, kimchi, miso, sauerkraut, tempeh and yogurt.

What other substances can be combined with GABA supplementation?

Some studies (1) suggest that flavonoids (such as those found in plants and cutting-edge supplements like Grapefruit Extract 99% naringin) may enhance GABA’s efficacy.

Combining PharmaGABA with adaptogen plant extracts such as Super Ashwagandha and Rhodiola rosea also makes sense.

Is there a link between GABA and glutamate?

Glutamate, an ionised form of glutamic acid, is one of the most important neurotransmitters of the central nervous system and is a precursor of GABA. Metabolism of GABA and glutamate are thus closely related. However, unlike GABA, glutamate contributes to prolonged neuronal excitation.

Frequently-asked questions

How much PharmaGABA should you take?

The recommended daily dose for PharmaGABA is 100mg-200mg, which corresponds to one or two capsules a day.

Is PharmaGABA safe?

PharmaGABA is a very safe supplement and has recently been assessed as such by an expert panel of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

What is stress?

Stress is a normal manifestation which occurs in response to either a dangerous or worrying situation in the future, in the short or medium term.

• The person is particularly sensitive to stressors.
• The stressor persists over time and the person is unable to change or prevent it. It may be money problems, coping with a troubled family member, a challenging work relationship …
• The person is subjected to several stressors at the same time.

Chronic stress is toxic: it sucks the pleasure out of life and is a contributory factor in numerous illnesses. It leads to acute and intermittent stress attacks which sometimes mask the chronic nature of the problem.

What are the symptoms of chronic stress?

There are three types of symptom related to chronic stress: physical, mental and behavioural:

The consequences of chronic stress

A number of physiological mechanisms are involved in chronic stress and they play a role in countless disorders. The main ones include:

• Accelerated ageing caused by increased free radical damage.
• Nutritional deficiencies as a result of a decrease in nutrient absorption and an increase in the rate of their metabolism.
• Reduced immunity caused by high cortisol production.
• Disturbed mental state due to profound structural changes in the brain.

What can you do to reduce stress naturally?

There are several natural ways of combatting stress and breaking its vicious circle:

• Keep in touch with your loved ones, friends and family members.
• Eat a good quality diet with plenty of antioxidants (fresh fruits and vegetables), essential fatty acids (preferably omega-3), and minerals, and avoid ready-meals and processed foods which usually contain ingredients likely to aggravate stress. Poor diet is a factor in reducing your body’s ability to adapt well to stressors.
• Take advantage of traditional ‘adaptogen’ plants, which enable the body to manage stress better. These include Eleutherococcus (Eleutherococcus senticosus) which helps protect the body against external stressors (2) and Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) (3).
• Learn how to trigger the relaxation response (which engages the parasympathetic nervous system) using techniques such as abdominal (or diaphragmatic) breathing, exercise, massage, meditation, creative pursuits (such as dancing, painting, drawing, DIY, gardening …).

1. Hanrahan JR, Chebib M, Johnston GA. Flavonoid modulation of GABA(A) receptors. Br J Pharmacol. 2011 May;163(2):234-45. doi: 10.1111/j.1476-5381.2011.01228.x.
2. Article 13.1, Claims Pending, ID 3755.
3. Article 13.1, Claims Pending, ID 4102