L-Theanine: What is L-Theanine and what does it do

October 12, 2012   Amnio Acids   No comments

L-Theanine is an amnio acid found in teas, particularly green and black tea. It has been shown to be synergistic with caffeine and possesses unique benefits of its own.

Theanine Chemical StructureKey benefits:

  • Reduces physical and mental stress[1]
  • Increases dopamine release in the brain[2]
  • Aids in weight loss and has anti-obesity effects[3]
  • Has neuroprotective qualities[4]
  • Improves mood and cognition in a synergistic manner with caffeine[5]
  • Promotes relaxation[6]
  • Enhances the immune system[7]

 

Buy L-Theanine from Amazon

 

What L-Theanine does

Because it increases GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter, it can induce relaxation and decrease stress response. Therefore, L-Theanine can reduce both physical and mental stress. Stress is detrimental to cognition and by reducing stress response, one can retain their peak cognitive function during what would otherwise be stressful events. Chronic stress has a large toll on the body and can largely affect cognition in a negative manner. Some symptoms of chronic stress include:

  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Intense mood swings
  • Poor concentration
  • Poor motivation to complete tasks
  • Insomnia

By reducing stress response, L-Theanine is able to effectively reduce or even eliminate the effects of chronic stress on cognitive functioning. As it also promotes relaxation, it can reduce anxiety and aid in sleep. Anxiety negatively affects mental performance, memory, and overall cognition. Sleep is also important for memory, learning, and overall cognition and poor sleep quality has been linked to decreased mental performance, increased sleep time, and poor energy upon waking up. Therefore, by promoting relaxation, L-Theanine is able to enhance sleep quality and reduce the effects of poor sleep quality on cognitive functioning.

How L-Theanine works

L-Theanine is an analog to glutamic acid as well as glutamine and readily crosses the blood-brain barrier. There, it increases dopamine release in the brain and increases overall levels of the inhibitory neurotransmitter, GABA, which induces relaxation and helps prevent insomnia.

Side effects

L-Theanine is remarkably safe and there have been no reported side effects from its use. Even at extremely high doses, it is still safe and shows little to no harmful psychological and physical effects.[8]

Where to buy L-Theanine

The best place to buy L-Theanine is from Amazon as they have the lowest prices and best quality brands available. They also ship fast and have excellent custom support.

Click here to buy L-Theanine from Amazon.

References

1. K, Kimura, Ozeki M, Juneja LR, and Ohira H. “L-Theanine Reduces Psychological and Physiological Stress Responses.” Biological Psychology 74.1 (2007): 39-45. National Center for Biotechnology Information. Web. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16930802>.

2. Yokogoshi, Hidehiko, Miki Kobayashi, Mikiko Mochizuki, and Takehiko Terashima. “Effect of Theanine, R-Glutamylethylamide, on Brain Monoamines and Striatal Dopamine Release in Conscious Rats.” NEUROCHEMICAL RESEARCH 23.5 (1998): 667-73. SpringerLink. Web. <http://www.springerlink.com/content/v666n4858vx1g750>.

3. ZHENG, GUODONG, KAZUTOSHI SAYAMA, TSUTOMU OKUBO, LEKH RAJ JUNEJA, and ITARO OGUNI. “Anti-obesity Effects of Three Major Components of Green Tea, Catechins, Caffeine and Theanine, in Mice.” In Vivo 18.1 (2004): 55-62. National Center for Biotechnology Information. Web. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15011752>.

4. Kakuda, Takami. “Neuroprotective Effects of the Green Tea Components Theanine and Catechins.” Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin 25.12 (2002): 1513-518. J-STAGE. Web. <https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/bpb/25/12/25_12_1513/_article>.

5. F., HASKELL Crystal, KENNEDY David O., MILNE Anthea L., WESNES Keith A., and SCHOLEY Andrew B. “The Effects of L-theanine, Caffeine and Their Combination on Cognition and Mood.” Biological Psychology 77.2 (2008): 113-22. CAT.INIST. Web. <http://cat.inist.fr/aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=20069292>.

6. Lekh Raj Juneja, Djong-Chi Chu, Tsutomu Okubo, Yukiko Nagato, Hidehiko Yokogoshi, L-theanine—a unique amino acid of green tea and its relaxation effect in humans, Trends in Food Science &amp; Technology, Volume 10, Issues 6–7, June 1999, Pages 199-204, ISSN 0924-2244, 10.1016/S0924-2244(99)00044-8. <http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0924224499000448>

7. AB, Kamath, Wang L, Das H, Li L, Reinhold VN, and Bukowski JF. “Antigens in Tea-beverage Prime Human Vgamma 2Vdelta 2 T Cells in Vitro and in Vivo for Memory and Nonmemory Antibacterial Cytokine Responses.” National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 100.10 (2003): 6009-014. National Center for Biotechnology Information. Web. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12719524>.

8. JF, Borzelleca, Peters D, and Hall W. “A 13-week Dietary Toxicity and Toxicokinetic Study with L-theanine in Rats.” Food and Chemical Toxicology 44.7 (2006): 1158-166.National Center for Biotechnology Information. Web.<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16759779>.

9. N, Egashira, Ishigami N, Pu F, Mishima K, Iwasaki K, Orito K, Oishi R, and Fujiwara M. “Theanine Prevents Memory Impairment Induced by Repeated Cerebral Ischemia in Rats.” Phytotherapy Research : PTR 22.1 (2008): 65-68. National Center for Biotechnology Information. Web. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17705146>.

Leave a Reply