In a study out this month, researchers found that the administration of GABA to type 1 diabetic patients helped to improve beta-islet cell function (the cells that produce insulin in the pancreas) and reduce systemic cytokine production (inflammatory chemicals).

This research may have implications for all autoimmune disorders, as increased inflammation and cytokine production is a hallmark characteristic of all autoimmune diseases. From a functional medicine perspective, getting to the root cause of autoimmune disorders means figuring out what is triggering the inflammation and autoimmune response in the first place. This could be a food sensitivity, a heavy metal, a pesticide, or a compromised intestinal barrier. These can all be improved using well known functional medicine therapies, including amino acid and neurotransmitter therapies like the GABA therapy used in this study.

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