GABA is made in all neurons of the brain, is recycled through our energy systems (mitochondria) and aside from seretonin, is one of the major calming mechanisms built in the body. GABA is integrated into many of the anti epileptic drugs on the market and understood to play a factor into seizure disorders.
Glutamate, an amino acid, is recyled through the mitochondria using an enzyme (referred to as GAD, glutamate decarboxylase) and converted to GABA. If the GAD enzyme is compromised or shunted, GABA is not produced which means, no calm. Instead glutamate perpetuates and anxiety continues to climb. This is not a good situation.
Gluten intolerance and celiac disease create an autoimmune response that can attack the GAD enzyme mentioned above. Again if the GAD enzyme is compromised or shunted, GABA cannot be made and anxiety builds. There is no calm.
Anxiety disorders are at an all time high. Could a root cause be a gluten intolerance? Absolutely. Depending on the time that the exposure has occurred can impact whether removing gluten is enough. Regardless, if you experience anxiety, entirely remove gluten. As Dr. Tom O’Bryan states…’if you are a gluten intolerant you cannot consume even a little amount of gluten just like you can’t be a little bit pregnant’.
Be well,
Lynn
