Aminohydroxybutyric Acid – Increase your energy and stamina while
reversing the aging process
Aminohydroxybutyric acid is a rarely found supplement that occurs naturally
in the human body. It is made even more difficult to find given the fact that
also goes by the names gamma-aminohydroxybutyric acid (more commonly referred to
as GABOB) and Buxamin.
Aminohydroxybutyric acid is a derivative of the neurotransmitter GABA (gamma-aminobutyric
acid). Neurotransmitters act as the brain’s messenger service - when one neuron
(brain cell) needs to communicate with another neuron, it does so by releasing
special chemicals (neurotransmitters) which cross the minute gaps that exist
between neurons (synaptic gaps). By doing this the appropriate “message” is
sent. There are a number of different neurotransmitters. GABA is the main
inhibitory neurotransmitter in our central nervous system, playing an important
role in regulating the “excitability” of neurons throughout the nervous system.
GABA is also responsible for muscle tone.
Aminohydroxybutyric acid is also closely related to GHB. The issue with GHB
was that it could induce a state of unconsciousness if taken orally which,
unfortunately, led to it becoming known in some quarters as “the date rape
drug”. It is, however, this close relationship to GHB that is significant for
Aminohydroxybutyric. It has very similar stimulatory effects to GHB but does not
induce unconsciousness when administered orally (although this may occur if
injected in doses over 150mg).
What is Aminohydroxybutyric acid used for?
Aminohydroxybutyric acid is primarily indicated in the treatment of epilepsy
with its pharmaceutical category being listed as an anti-epileptic. Indeed, it
can be used to treat all types of convulsions.
However, in Europe, its use has been expanded beyond that of treatment of
epilepsy to include helping to overcome stress and anxiety, improving learning
and memory function and, perhaps most importantly for those interested in
anti-aging, increasing growth hormone levels.
Below, we look at Aminohydroxybutyric acid’s use as an anti-epileptic
treatment and its ability to increase levels of growth hormones in more detail.
An epilepsy treatment
As mentioned above, Aminohydroxybutyric acid is primarily considered to be an
anti-epileptic treatment. Although it has anti-convulsant properties, when used
by itself it has fairly low potency levels and is, therefore, more useful as
adjunct therapy i.e. used alongside other anticonvulsant medications. For
example, in one study Aminohydroxybutyric acid was used as an additional therapy
for adult patients who were suffering from severe focal epilepsy. The
researchers demonstrated that a twice daily oral dose of 250mg of
Aminohydroxybutyric acid taken over a 26 week period, resulted in a 50%
reduction in the number of total seizures when compared to the control patients.
What was even more encouraging was that no serious adverse side effects to
the medication were noted.
Increasing human growth hormone levels
Since the 1980’s it has been known that Aminohydroxybutyric acid can increase
human growth hormone (HGH) levels. For example, in one study published in 1982,
researchers found that if women were infused with 100 mg. of Aminohydroxybutyric
acid over a period of 20 minutes, their HGH levels rose significantly.(1)The
results of this study backed up those of a study from the late 1970’s that also
suggested that 100mg of intra-venous Aminohydroxybutyric Aminohydroxybutyric
acid increased both HGH and prolactin levels in women.(2)
What is the significance of increasing our HGH levels?
So just why should we be excited about the fact that Aminohydroxybutyric acid
appears to be capable of increasing HGH levels? As with so many hormones, our
body’s supply of HGH decreases with age. Indeed, HGH levels decline at a rate of
about 14% per decade after the age of 30 and HGH is required in order for the
body to heal and rejuvenate itself.
The effects of declining levels of HGH manifest themselves in numerous ways
as we grow older including:
Fatigue and decreased restful sleep
Increased weight and abdominal obesity
Decreased muscle mass and decreased physical strength coupled with a
decrease in exercise and physical performance
Reduced cardiac output
An overall decrease in our sense of well-being.
However, by increasing our supplies of HGH back to younger, healthier levels
we can reverse many of these effects of aging as well as improving our health
and fitness.
Indeed, HGH was the first substance to have been clinically proven to reverse
the effects of aging. Benefits of increasing HGH levels include:
Increasing energy and stamina
Improving deep, restful sleep
Building muscle and strength and improving fitness
Decreasing fat and aiding weight loss
Sharpening thinking and improving memory
Improving mood and the sense of well-being
Decreasing and balancing cholesterol levels
Strengthening the immune system
Strengthening the cardiovascular system
Lowering blood pressure
Therefore, from an anti-aging point of view, Aminohydroxybutyric acid with
its capability to increase HGH levels is very exciting.
By improving our overall sense of well-being and giving us more energy and
vigour, Aminohydroxybutyric acid should not be over looked in the fight against
aging.
Dosage
Dosage is dependent upon the reason for which you are taking it:
For anti-anxiety/ stress dosage should be in the region of 250 mg once
or twice daily
For epilepsy take 500 mg twice daily
For HGH release dosage should be in the region of 1000 mg prior to
bedtime
Particular care should be taken if you are elderly, with close monitoring by
your doctor who will assess the possibility of a gradually reducing the dosage.
Side effects
Aminohydroxybutyric acid is incredibly well tolerated with no reported side
effects at normal dosages.
At high dosages some slight drowsiness may occur. Because of this caution is
advised - you should not drive or operate machinery and you should ensure that
you are in a safe environment.
If you have a known sensitivity to Aminohydroxybutyric acid or any of the
other ingredients in the supplement, do not take it because it may cause
allergic reactions and serious asthmatic attacks in sensitive patients,
particularly those who suffer from asthma.
Warnings and contraindications
No adverse reactions with other drugs have been reported. However, even
though no specific contraindications are noted, concurrent use with other GABA
supplements and agonists (e.g. Valium) is not advised and should only be
undertaken under guidance from your doctor.
If you are pregnant you should only take Aminohydroxybutyric acid when
absolutely necessary and always under your doctor’s supervision.
References:-
1. Melis GB et al: Dose related effects of (GABOB) infusion on growth hormone
secretion in normal women: J. Endocrinol. Invest., 1982 Mar-Apr;5(2):101-6
2. Fioretti P. et al. GABOB stimulates Prolactin and growth hormone release in
normal women. J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 1978 Dec;47(6):1336-40
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