Using individual amino acids such as GABA and tryptophan can have an incredible impact on children with anxiety, easing anxiety very quickly. I don’t often write or talk about using amino acids with children and since many of you have asked for more resources for children, today I’m sharing an interview I recently did on this topic on The Better Behavior Show. This is a podcast hosted by my colleague and good friend Dr. Nicole Beurkens.
I share specifics on how Amino acids can help to relieve anxiety in children, together with some case studies.
Dr. Nicole sums up the power of the amino acids beautifully – and this is exactly why my clients love them so much – they take the edge off quickly, provide results and help with overwhelm:
I think that the fact that these [amino acids] can work quickly is really helpful. And as you said, it helps to take the edge off, it helps to reduce the symptoms so then we can more effectively address all of the underlying things. Because often, I’ll have parents say, “Oh, you want me to change the diet and do all these things, I just feel so overwhelmed, my kid is having so many issues, I don’t know how we’re going to do any of that.” And then when you can use things like targeted aminos to help take the edge off the symptoms for the parent and the child, it makes all of that other stuff more doable, I think.
Here are some snippets from one of the stories I share – the wonderful results I had with a 11-year old girl who had been adopted, was diagnosed with reactive attachment disorder and had explosive anger issues. This young girl:
….also had insomnia, so she was not sleeping well at all. She was very fatigued in the day, had really bad anxiety about going to school and loved colored candies and she was a big bread eater.
This family didn’t have much money to spend so I really had to find an affordable solution with the biggest benefits. She was anemic so we addressed that with iron supplements and getting her eating quality grass-fed red meat again and we figured out that gluten was an issue so she went gluten-free and this made a big difference with the outbursts.
The other factor was to figure out if low serotonin was a factor and address this. The big clues were the anger, the insomnia, the anxiety and the sugary cravings:
I was talking to her about the fact that she loved candies and she loved bread, and I said — how would you feel about giving it up? She was fuming with me. She was in a swivel chair and she turned her back to me and she didn’t want to talk about it.
I offered her a 100mg chewable tryptophan to see if it would help with her sugar cravings and the fact that she was furious with me:
“How about trying this amino acid, it’s called tryptophan and it’s chewable and it doesn’t taste bad… and then we’ll talk a little bit later. Don’t worry about what I said earlier.” So I gave her 100mg of chewable tryptophan.
She chewed the tryptophan and within 5 minutes, she turned around, smiled at me and said, “I think I can do it, I’m ready to do it.”
She was calm and smiling, and ready to give up the candies and bread and other gluten-containing products. These 3 interventions – addressing her low iron levels, having her go gluten-free and supplementing with tryptophan – completely turned this little girl’s life around.
Here is the link to the entire transcript of our interview: Amino acids can help to relieve anxiety in children. You can also find the audio interview at this same link or by going directly to iTunes – simply search for “The Better Behavior Show.”
Do listen in and/or read the transcript and learn more about:
- how I do a trial of the amino acids (this allows for quick results in 5-10 minutes)
- how I’ve worked with non-verbal children
- a simple trick for using the unpleasant tasting tryptophan sublingually
- what low GABA anxiety looks like in a child
- why ADHD symptoms in children may actually be anxiety (I share another success story in this section)
- why I use GABA Calm with children and adults (Dr. Nicole uses this GABA product too and loves that it’s sublingual and tastes great)
- times you may consider using tyrosine or DPA
- and much more
It was a pleasure to be on the show of someone whose work I deeply respect. Dr. Nicole is a unique combination of clinical psychologist, nutritionist, and special education teacher, and shares these resources for help with improving your child’s behavior naturally: her book Life Will Get Better, blog, and the Better Behavior Naturally Parent Program. and tune in to my interview and some of the other excellent interviews.
If you’d like to learn more about these supplements, look at my supplements blog here
There is also a “Liquid and powder options for children” section on this blog – with other products you may find useful for children.
I’d also like offer a caution about the 100mg chewable tryptophan This chewable form is both good and bad. It’s good because it’s a nice 100mg of tryptophan per tablet, is chewable, tastes good and is suitable for children and “pixie dust” individuals who need a very small amount and for when doing the initial trial. The bad aspect is that it does contain sugar and is quite sweet. Because you are continually consuming something sweet you may end up over-consuming them if sugar addiction is your issue. I’ve seen the same with children who want to eat them like candy. So, what I do most of the time is use the chewable tryptophan for the trial and then switch to the 500mg tryptophan after that. We did that with the 11-year old with anger issues, anxiety and candy cravings.
One more thing: Lidtke is the only brand of tryptophan I use and recommend because of its quality. I forgot to mention that in our interview.
Have you benefited from using any of the amino acids and then found they also help your child/children?
Hi Trudy,
What about individuals with IBS or Colitis who cannot take chewable tablets? I used to take the gaba pro by bioclinic naturals and it just made me run to the bathroom. Should those with digestive trouble steer clear from chewable forms of gaba?
Rav
Excellent question! We have to find a product that works for us and we’re all different. Many of the chewables may contain sugar alcohols which can be problematic and cause diarrhea. Many products now use cellulose capsules instead of gelatin capsules and this can also be an issue with IBS/SIBO.
The product you mention is new to me but does have cellulose and also contains rice powder which some folks with SIBO react to. Interestingly this product label says GABA (gamma amino butyric acid) when in actual fact it’s pharma GABA (a fermented form of GABA) and that may an issue for some.
Using a GABA only product opened onto the tongue works well in these instances. I also have success with clients opening a GABA + theanine product – just GABA and theanine and nothing else
Hi, hoping you know an excellent Doctor for my grandson(I have custody). He reacts immediately to yellow dye and vanillin and pickles and fruits and preservatives etc. I cant keep him from sneaking these things at school or around friends. I am fearful I will lose custody in future as his problems have escalated over the past 4 yrs. I wish we could see you. We live in Ocala, florida. I will drive to whom you recommend.
Diane
How old is your grandson and what types of reactions does he have? Are you willing to work long distance with a health practitioner – if yes Dr. Nicole is wonderful!
Which amino acids would you recommend for depression associated with menopause? No panic attacks but a crashing low mood that can become suicidal for 24hrs or more before slight recovery, a few easy days and then the cycle begins again. Diet is mainly sugar and gluten free. Any suggestions would be appreciated, thank you
Caroline
When I hear “diet is mainly sugar and gluten free” with someone having mood swings I always looks into gluten exposure and blood sugar dips. We also want to look at adrenal function (as it takes up the slack in menopause) and rule out Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Graves. I’d also do a trial of tryptophan and tyrosine (based on the amino acid questionnaire) and look at low lithium too – as starters. And then a full workup looking at sex hormones, low zinc, low B6, low magnesium, the gut, EMFs, sleep and other dietary factors like salicylates, histamine, glutamates etc
Hi Trish
I would like to know where I can buy triptophan
Lidtke
Ana
All the supplements including this one are listed on my supplements blog, together with details on setting up and account https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/amino-acids-pyroluria-supplements/
Hi Trudy! I have a 9 year old that has terrible anxiety about sleep and being able to stay asleep. She worries a lot but also gets a “ feeling” in her stomach to what I would describe as butterflies. She is also moving her legs constantly throughout the night but doesn’t complain of pain. Would this be treatable with tryptophan and GABA? If so, can you please advise on a dose? Thank you so much!!
Amanfa
I would consider both low serotonin and low GABA and do trials of both tryptophan and GABA separately. I use 1/2 the adult dose for children around this age. With the legs moving all night I’d also check for oxalate issues.
If you are new to the amino acids (and other anxiety nutrition solutions like gluten/sugar/caffeine removal, blood sugar control, gut health, pyroluria etc) my book “The Antianxiety Food Solution” is a great place to start. More here https://www.everywomanover29.com/store/aafsbook.html
Apologies for the delay in your comment approval and my response. We had a computer glitch where a large number of comments were hidden from view in a spam folder. It mostly affected new folks who were commenting for the first time but it’s hopefully resolved now.
Can children with epilepsy and on seizure medication use these amino acids that you recommend? My son struggles with general anxiety and also anxiety about having seizures. He wants to be around people but has horrible anxiety when in public or around crowds. He also has learning disabilities which causes him anxiety as well.
Brittany
Best would be to work with the prescribing doctor re the use of amino acids. However my book “The Antianxiety Food Solution” is a great place to start for info on other anxiety nutrition solutions like gluten/sugar/caffeine removal, blood sugar control, gut health, pyroluria etc). More here https://www.everywomanover29.com/store/aafsbook.html
Apologies for the delay in your comment approval and my response. We had a computer glitch where a large number of comments were hidden from view in a spam folder. It mostly affected new folks who were commenting for the first time but it’s hopefully resolved now.
Hi Trudi,
I have a question for adults with ADD Attention Deficit Disorder ; would GABA and tryptophan work for equally for the brain? Though in this case , its mainly a dopamine & norepinephrine deficiency but at same time, there is anxiety, overwhelm and depression. Would you suggest any other supplements? Just to add more to the equation: there is underlying history of histamine intolerance & food sensitivities and hypermobile joint pain , which I believe is a form of mast cell overactivation syndrome which has been linked to MTHFR gene mutations? Any ideas?
Much kind thanks
Meivis
Meivis
All this can work for adults too. It’s a matter of finding his root causes. You may find these articles helpful
– ADHD: 5-HTP melts have been a miracle for one of my adopted kids https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/adhd-5-htp-melts-have-been-a-miracle-for-one-of-my-adopted-kids/
– GABA for children: ADHD, focus issues, irritability, anxiety and tantrums https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/gaba-children-adhd-focus-issues-irritability-anxiety-tantrums/
If you are new to the amino acids (and other anxiety nutrition solutions like gluten/sugar/caffeine removal, blood sugar control, gut health, pyroluria etc) my book “The Antianxiety Food Solution” is a great place to start. More here https://www.everywomanover29.com/store/aafsbook.html
Apologies for the delay in your comment approval and my response. We had a computer glitch where a large number of comments were hidden from view in a spam folder. It mostly affected new folks who were commenting for the first time but it’s hopefully resolved now.
Hi Trudy,
This all seems so amazing to me. I have been taking 200mg L-Theanine, 500mg L-Tyrosine & 1000mg L-Tryptophan a day to help my constant stress, overwhelm, depression, anxiety and ADHD (inattentive). But my 7.5yo son is where I’m struggling. I want to start him on one of these, his ADHD is out of control, also has ASD 2. He has explosive anger, his emotional outburts are huge & BIG feelings. Lately he is saying he would rather be dead than continue to deal with his hard life. I want to lift his serotonin or dopamine? He also ALWAYS craves sugar but besides that not a huge eater.
I can’t work out the best amino acid for him with his situation. I was looking into L Theanine, but now maybe L Tryptophan? I don’t know enough about them, only that I’ve been taking a combo and that they help me cope & feel happier! He has started Ritalin but I think it’s made his moods worse. What do you recommend & what dose is safe for his age? I’m so lost.
I don’t want to lose my little boy to this awful black cloud that is getting darker for him. 🙁
Thank you!
Chloe
Wonderful to hear these amino acids are helping your constant stress, overwhelm, depression, anxiety and ADHD.
Sorry to hear your little boy is struggling. With explosive anger, emotional outbursts and talk of rather being dead (plus when cravings are afternoon/evening) I consider tryptophan. You may find this blog helpful – Rage, anxiety, cravings & insomnia in 11-year old girl with RAD/reactive attachment disorder: chewable tryptophan turns things around https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/rage-anxiety-cravings-insomnia-in-11-year-old-girl-with-rad-reactive-attachment-disorder-chewable-tryptophan-turns-things-around/
My book is a great resource when you are new to the amino acids – The Antianxiety Food Solution https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/the-antianxiety-food-solution-by-trudy-scott/ You don’t mention diet but that is a big part of issues too.