A question about two supplements
February 9, 2016 8:58 AM Subscribe
I have a question about GABA and Omega 3 supplements. Mostly if and what to take.
My sister has been feeling a little bit "off" for a while, and though she intends to go to the doctor as soon as she gets back from a trip and get a checkup (thyroid, blood sugar, those sorts of things), a friend recommended she take GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)) supplements since she's been doing so well on them. My sister is close to 40 and doesn't usually take anything more than the occasional advil or children's multivitamin, so she wants to know if GABA is safe to take and if it has any side effects, warning, etc.
On the other hand, I've been reading a bunch of pregnancy books (I'm at 23 weeks) and they all mostly seem to agree that Omega 3-DHA is the one thing next to folic acid that really helps with the developing baby and gestating mom. I've been intending to take Omega 3-DHA supplements, and I wonder if my sister would benefit from them too, but whenever I look at all the options I get overwhelmed and leave empty-handed. Some help please?
My sister has been feeling a little bit "off" for a while, and though she intends to go to the doctor as soon as she gets back from a trip and get a checkup (thyroid, blood sugar, those sorts of things), a friend recommended she take GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid)) supplements since she's been doing so well on them. My sister is close to 40 and doesn't usually take anything more than the occasional advil or children's multivitamin, so she wants to know if GABA is safe to take and if it has any side effects, warning, etc.
On the other hand, I've been reading a bunch of pregnancy books (I'm at 23 weeks) and they all mostly seem to agree that Omega 3-DHA is the one thing next to folic acid that really helps with the developing baby and gestating mom. I've been intending to take Omega 3-DHA supplements, and I wonder if my sister would benefit from them too, but whenever I look at all the options I get overwhelmed and leave empty-handed. Some help please?
Your sister, or anyone really, should not be supplementing folate/folic acid right before a doctor may run a test to check levels for deficiency, if this is part of the screening to take place.
posted by blue suede stockings at 9:22 AM on February 9, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by blue suede stockings at 9:22 AM on February 9, 2016 [1 favorite]
I recommend watching this Frontline documentary about Supplements. It's eye opening.
Basically, the supplement industry is unregulated and the doses, and ingredients in those bottles do not have to conform to any standard. The thing that opened my eyes about Omega 3 fish oil was that in a lot of cases, it's old and nasty and not likely to do anyone any good.
In this case, I'd wait to see what a doctor says. Supplements can be dangerous in conjunction with prescription medications. In many cases, they're just not effective.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 9:30 AM on February 9, 2016 [3 favorites]
Basically, the supplement industry is unregulated and the doses, and ingredients in those bottles do not have to conform to any standard. The thing that opened my eyes about Omega 3 fish oil was that in a lot of cases, it's old and nasty and not likely to do anyone any good.
In this case, I'd wait to see what a doctor says. Supplements can be dangerous in conjunction with prescription medications. In many cases, they're just not effective.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 9:30 AM on February 9, 2016 [3 favorites]
Best answer: It's pretty hard to go wrong with Omega 3s. There are a bunch of studies that suggest that Omega 3s are good for you (mood stabilizer, joint issues, memory, etc) . I take this brand. There's a person who does huge reviews of all the Omega 3s on Amazon using real data, and this brand is an excellent combination of potency & cost.
(If you're on blood thinners or have some kind of bleeding disorders, hemophilia etc. you should talk to your doctor about taking extra Omega 3.)
posted by gregr at 9:45 AM on February 9, 2016 [3 favorites]
(If you're on blood thinners or have some kind of bleeding disorders, hemophilia etc. you should talk to your doctor about taking extra Omega 3.)
posted by gregr at 9:45 AM on February 9, 2016 [3 favorites]
You shouldn't take any supplement without a concrete reason to take it.
Do some reading and see if you are symptomatic for needing extra Omega 3. Tip: If you have any kind of inflammatory condition, you are a good candidate for cutting back on other oils and increasing your consumption of Omega 3. You might also generally benefit from an anti inflammatory diet.
But you really shouldn't be willy nilly taking anything without a concrete reason to think that you, in specific, are likely to benefit from this thing in specific.
Life is chemistry and food and supplements are chemistry and they can have powerful effects. Anything that has power can do as much harm as good.
So first establish a definition of what you are treating for, then go looking for supplements that help that in specific.
A food journal can come in handy when trying to sort out questions like this.
posted by Michele in California at 10:37 AM on February 9, 2016
Do some reading and see if you are symptomatic for needing extra Omega 3. Tip: If you have any kind of inflammatory condition, you are a good candidate for cutting back on other oils and increasing your consumption of Omega 3. You might also generally benefit from an anti inflammatory diet.
But you really shouldn't be willy nilly taking anything without a concrete reason to think that you, in specific, are likely to benefit from this thing in specific.
Life is chemistry and food and supplements are chemistry and they can have powerful effects. Anything that has power can do as much harm as good.
So first establish a definition of what you are treating for, then go looking for supplements that help that in specific.
A food journal can come in handy when trying to sort out questions like this.
posted by Michele in California at 10:37 AM on February 9, 2016
GABA absolutely does not cross the blood brain barrier.
However, there are GABA receptors in other tissues, in particular, certain immune cells. However, GABA is cleared from the bloodstream very quickly and GABAergic signalling between immune cells is likely a very transient and local communication.
Unless you take excessive quantities of GABA, it shouldn't be harmful, but there are likely very little benefit to taking oral GABA supplements.
Omega-3 supplements are "ok" but you're better off eating healthfully if you can afford it (fresh greens for folic acids, a variety of seafoods for the omega 3. Hempseed oil is actually a great source for essential amino acids, but unfortunately has a severely low smoke point).
posted by porpoise at 2:03 PM on February 9, 2016
However, there are GABA receptors in other tissues, in particular, certain immune cells. However, GABA is cleared from the bloodstream very quickly and GABAergic signalling between immune cells is likely a very transient and local communication.
Unless you take excessive quantities of GABA, it shouldn't be harmful, but there are likely very little benefit to taking oral GABA supplements.
Omega-3 supplements are "ok" but you're better off eating healthfully if you can afford it (fresh greens for folic acids, a variety of seafoods for the omega 3. Hempseed oil is actually a great source for essential amino acids, but unfortunately has a severely low smoke point).
posted by porpoise at 2:03 PM on February 9, 2016
This thread is closed to new comments.
In regards to folic acid, many people have a MTHFR defect and can't use it. Methylfolate may be better.
posted by kbbbo at 9:10 AM on February 9, 2016