Sometimes the stress of modern life can be overwhelming as a result as a result nearly 20% of adults in the U.S. use a drug like Xanax, Valium, Restoril, Lunesta, or Ambien to help them calm down or get to sleep. The problem is that all of these drugs are associated with significant risks including the fact that they are highly addictive and are very poor candidates for long-term use. Common side effects include dizziness, drowsiness, and impaired coordination, it is

GABA or gamma amino butyric acid, is an inhibitory neurotransmitter - a chemical involved in nerve regulation which serves to inhibit excessive bioelectrical activity. GABA is the #1 inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. It is a derivative of the amino acid glutamic acid and is related to the sleep-enhancing biochemical Gamma Hydroxy Butyrate. The function of GABA is to decrease neuron activity and inhibit nerve cells from overfiring. Many studies have

For the past 10 years, the amino acid L-tryptophan has been living in exile. Sometimes used as a sleeping pill, it was recalled from the supplement market in 1988 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)--but has since made a comeback. Consumers can now purchase a modified form called 5-hydroxytryptophan, or 5-HTP. Unlike the previous version that was produced by a biological fermentation process, 5HTP is derived naturally from seed

Most people know amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. What they may not realize is that amino acids play roles independent of their proteins, and some amino acids are never protein components at all. Essential amino acids are those required in the diet because they cannot be synthesized by the body. These essentials are leucine, isoleucine, threonine, methionine, tryptophan, valine, histamine, phenylalanine and lysine.¹

Research unravels an amino acid's intricate link to physical fitness

A proliferation of new studies about the amino acid glutamine is making its way into scientific journals, and for good reason. Our understanding of glutamine is turning topsy-turvy as scientists uncover its many unique and powerful roles--from enhancing muscle growth and neutralizing excess body acid to losing weight and combating the effects of aging