GABA Supplementation, Increased Heart-Rate Variability, Emotional Response, Sleep Efficiency and Reduced Depression in Sedentary Overweight Women Undergoing Physical Exercise: Placebo-Controlled, Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) serves as a pivotal neurotransmitter implicated in the pathogenesis of stress, anxiety, sleep-related disorders, and heart rate (HR) reactions. Heart-rate variability (HRV), modulated by the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches of the autonomic nervous system (ANS), offers insights into cardiac autonomic control and cardiovascular well-being. The present study aimed to explore the impact of GABA supplementation on emotional metrics, sleep quality, and HRV in sedentary women with overweight or obesity partaking in physical exercise. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was undertaken involving 30 sedentary women with overweight or obesity. Volunteers were assigned randomly to two groups: the intervention group receiving GABA (200 mg) once daily for a total of 90 supplementation doses, and the placebo group. Both groups engaged in physical exercise, while the supplementation regimen spanned 90 days. Assessments were conducted at three intervals: baseline (T0), midway through the study (T45), and study culmination (T90). Following 90 days of GABA supplementation, the intervention group demonstrated enhancements in habitual sleep efficiency, as indicated by reductions in Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores. Moreover, an improved emotional response was observed, characterized by diminished negative affect. GABA supplementation yielded ameliorations in depression scores as per the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21). Notably, an augmented HRV was noted, attributed to heightened parasympathetic autonomic nervous system predominance. GABA supplementation elicited noteworthy enhancements in heart rate variability, emotional response, depression mitigation, and sleep efficiency following a 90-day supplementation.

Keywords:

• gamma-aminobutyric acid
• heart-rate variability
• physical exercise
• supplementation

Author contributions

FGDS, LKB, and ECO contributed to the conception, design, funding, and supervision of the study. APG, COT, HS, RSB and LVMP performed the study (physical training, data collection, and data tabulation). ECO performed the statistics test. HS and ECO drafted the manuscript. FGDS, DBC, PMS, and LKB performed critical revisions of the manuscript. All authors contributed to the manuscript final text and approved the submitted version.

Disclosure statement

The authors affirm that this research transpired devoid of any real or potential commercial or financial affiliations that might be construed as constituting a conflict of interest.

Ethical considerations

The experimental protocol was submitted to and approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Federal University of Ouro Preto, under the number CAAE: 40000620.3.0000.5150. The informed consent forms were read and signed by the volunteers.

Data availability statement

The raw data underpinning the conclusions of this manuscript will be made accessible by the authors, without unwarranted constraints.

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico–CNPq), Coordination and Improvement of Superior Education Staff (Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior–CAPES), Minas Gerais State Research Support Foundation (Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais–FAPEMIG), and Pro-Rectory of Research, Postgraduate and Innovation of the Federal University of Ouro Preto (Pró-Reitoria de Pesquisa, Pós-Graduação e Inovação da Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto–PROPPI-UFOP).

Notes on contributors

Aparecida Patricia Guimarães

Aparecida Patricia Guimarães Master’s degree of Health and Nutrition (PPGSN), Federal University of Ouro Preto. Research interests: The use of Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) associated with physical exercise.

Helen Seidel

Helen Seidel Resident at João Paulo II Children’s Hospital. Bachelor of Medicine, School of Medicine, Federal University of Ouro Preto. Research interests: Exercise Medicine; Dietary Supplements; Heart Rate Variability; Pediatric Nutrition; Methods of Food Introduction.

Larissa Vitalina de Medeiros Pires

Larissa Vitalina de Medeiros Pires PhD student and master’s degree in Health and Nutrition (PPGSN), Federal University of Ouro Preto. Research interests: Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) associated with physical exercise; Bodybuilding; Exercise Physiology and Sports Training.

Cristina Oliveira Trindade

Cristina Oliveira Trindade PhD student and master’s degree in Health and Nutrition (PPGSN), Federal University of Ouro Preto. Research interests: Physical Exercise; Health Sciences; Physical Performance; Muscle Recovery in Athletes; Aging and its Weaknesses; Active Aging. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) associated with physical exercise.

Raianne dos Santos Baleeiro

Raianne dos Santos Baleeiro PhD student in Biological Sciences (PPGCBIOL) and master’s degree in Health and Nutrition (PPGSN), Federal University of Ouro Preto. Research interests: Supplementation with Edible Insects in young individuals: evaluation of muscle recovery, biochemical and physiological parameters associated with physical performance; Evaluation of physical performance and its relationship with diet through physiological, biochemical, and morphological parameters; Relationship between excess of simple carbohydrates and physical performance and cardiovascular parameters.

Perciliany Martins de Souza

Perciliany Martins de Souza PhD in Biological Sciences, Federal University of Ouro Preto. Research interests: General physiology; Exercise physiology; Effects of physical exercise; Special groups; Biofeedback Training; Heart-Rate Variability; Neurosciences, with an emphasis on Neurobiology of Emotion, using parameters related to the autonomic nervous system, in addition to questionnaires, and mental health.

Fernanda Guimarães Drummond e Silva

Fernanda Guimarães Drummond e Silva Assistant Professor at the School of Nutrition (ENUT) at the Federal University of Ouro Preto. PhD and master’s degree of Food and Nutrition, State University of Campinas. Bachelor of Nutrition, Federal University of Viçosa. Research interests: Sports nutrition; Dietetics; Functional foods and inflammatory bowel diseases. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) supplementation.

Daniel Barbosa Coelho

Daniel Barbosa Coelho Associate Professor at the School of Physical Education (EEFUFOP) at the Federal University of Ouro Preto. PhD and master’s degree of Sports Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais. Bachelor of Physical Education, Federal University of Minas Gerais. Bachelor of Medicine, Federal University of Ouro Preto. Research interests: Football physiology (effort monitoring, muscle microtrauma and physical assessment), genetics and sports performance; Sarcopenia and strength training.

Lenice Kappes Becker

Lenice Kappes Becker Associate Professor at the School of Physical Education (EEFUFOP) at the Federal University of Ouro Preto. PhD and master’s degree of Sciences (Physiology), Federal University of Minas Gerais. Bachelor of Physical Education, State University of Londrina. Research interests: Ergogenic resources and dietary supplements for athletes and physical exercisers; Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) associated with physical exercise. Sarcopenia; Cardiovascular system and physical training; Angiotensin-(1-7) and physical exercise.

Emerson Cruz de Oliveira

Emerson Cruz de Oliveira Associate Professor at School of Physical Education (EEFUFOP) at Federal University of Ouro Preto. PhD and master’s degree of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Ouro Preto. Bachelor of Physical Education, Federal University of Viçosa. Research interests: Dietary supplements; Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) associated with physical exercise. Sarcopenia; Angiotensin-(1-7) and physical exercise; Heart-Rate Variability; Physiological, biochemical, immunological, and nutritional aspects involved in the response to exercise and physical training.