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Prebiotics Influence Gut Bacteria That Raise Brain GABA Levels
- Low GABA levels are linked to anxiety, poor sleep, memory issues, and neurological conditions like epilepsy and Alzheimer’s, but boosting GABA through your gut microbiome offers a natural solution
- A study in NPJ Science of Food found that prebiotics like fructooligosaccharides (FOS) and Aspergillus-derived enzymes significantly increased brain GABA and homocarnosine, a compound that protects and stabilizes brain function
- Specific gut bacteria such as Akkermansia and Parabacteroides were directly linked to higher GABA production, while strains like Blautia and Roseburia were associated with lower levels and gut imbalance
- If your gut is inflamed, even healthy fibers worsen symptoms — so it's essential to start with low-fermentation carbs and reintroduce prebiotics slowly once digestion improves
- Strategies like fermented foods, GABA supplements, and natural progesterone further enhance GABA activity and support calm, clear, and stable brain function
Published on 15 hours ago