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L-theanine the calm in your cup of tea: abundant in tea (especially green varieties), L-theanine offers health benefits beyond relaxation--and it's now available in supplements.(SHOP SMART SUPPLEMENTS)
The well-known calming effect of green and black tea derives from theanine, an organic compound and amino add. Theanine is found almost exclusively in the leaves of Camellia sinensis, the source of green, black and oolong teas. Amino acids typically form the building blocks of proteins. However, L-theanine is "free" in tea, meaning that it is not bound to protein.
Like most amino acids, theanine is more formally spelled out as L-theanine. (The L indicates a "left-hand" structure of the molecule.) Chemists may refer to theanine as gamma-ethylamino-L-glutamic acid. Theanine is different from the antioxidant epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) and caffeine, which are also present in green tea. In addition, theanine can be converted to glutamic acid, which functions as a neurotransmitter.
HOW IT WORKS: Theanine increases the brain's levels of alpha waves, which promote a combination of relaxation and mental sharpness, similar to the effects of meditation. Theanine functions very much like a neurotransmitter, but it also boosts the brain's levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a calming neurotransmitter. Theanine remains intact through digestion, and its effect on brain waves generally occurs within 30 to 40 minutes. Its benefits may last as long as 12 hours.
HEALTH BENEFITS: Supplemental theanine helps with the following:
* Relaxation. Studies of people and animals have shown that theanine supplements significantly boost the brain's levels of alpha waves, leading to less anxiety and a relaxed feeling. The benefits of theanine are all the more impressive because it does not cause drowsiness (which is actually related to theta and delta brain waves).
* Mental sharpness. Alpha waves are also associated with improved mental acuity, and animal experiments have confirmed that higher alpha waves can improve learning. According to an article by Raymond Cooper, PhD, in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, creative people produce more alpha waves when trying to solve a problem.
* Stress protector. In a controlled study, researchers asked 12 college ...
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- Magazine article from: Nutraceuticals World Thibeau, Julie March 1, 2003 700+ words
...synthesize 100% pure L-Theanine (Suntheanine[R]) that...structurally identical to the L-Theanine compound naturally found in tea. L-Theanine was first discovered in...awake, excited state and alpha waves signify an awake, relaxed...
- L-theanine.(Monograph)
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Introduction L-theanine ([gamma]-glutamylethylamide...the world, a considerable amount of theanine is consumed daily throughout the world...vitamins, minerals, and pigments. Theanine comprises 1-2 percent of the dry...
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...this research has focused on either L-theanine or caffeine ingested alone (mostly the...investigated the effects of both L-theanine and caffeine, ingested separately or...ingesting either placebo, 100 mg of L-theanine, 50 mg of caffeine, or these treatments...
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- Magazine article from: Alternative Medicine Review Kakuda, T February 1, 2003 700+ words
...1518. The neuroprotective effects of theanine and catechins contained in green tea...death was suppressed with exposure to theanine. The death of hippocampal CA1 pyramidal...the ventricular preadministration of theanine. The neuronal death of the hippocampal...
- Asia Pac J Clin Nutr: L-theanine, a natural constituent in tea, and its effect...
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...also contains a unique amino acid, L-theanine that may modulate aspects of brain function...Tech 1999;10;199-204). L-theanine significantly increases activity in the...105 minutes after ingestion of 50mg L-theanine (n=16) or placebo (n=19). Participants...
- Pet management.(theanine treatment)(Brief Article)
- Magazine article from: Chemistry and Industry March 5, 2001 700+ words
...may help to calm our furry friends. Theanine, an amino acid found in green tea...pets, they do suggest putting drops of theanine into pet food. In comparison with regular...anti-anxiety drugs or sedatives, theanine has far fewer side-effects and causes...
- A spot of tea?(L-theanine aids immune system)(Brief Article)
- Magazine article from: U.S. News & World Report Stein, Lisa May 5, 2003 700+ words
...Harvard researcher Jack Bukowski: Tea leaves contain the amino acid L-theanine, which the liver breaks down into a molecule (ethylamine) that enhances...or other varieties made from leaves; herbal teas don't contain L-theanine.
