L-Theanine

Do you often feel anxious or stressed out? Are you looking for a natural way to calm your mind and body? If so, consuming extra L-theanine (L-gamma-glutamylethylamide) might be right for you. L-theanine is an amino acid most commonly found in green tea and some mushrooms. It has several health and wellness benefits, including reducing anxiety and stress, improving cognitive function, and promoting relaxation.*

How L-Theanine Works

The Chinese and Japanese people have been drinking green tea for almost 3,000 years for focus, relaxation, and longevity. Exactly whydrinking this refreshing beverage helped a person feel reenergized wasn’t discovered until 1949. That was the year Japanese chemists found that tea leaves are rich in L-theanine, which is a derivative of glutamic acid, one of the neurotransmitters in the brain.

It's thought to work by increasing levels of the two major neurotransmitters in the brain – serotonin and GABA. These neurotransmitters are associated with mood enhancement and full body relaxation. L-theanine has also been shown to increase dopamine levels, which is another important neurotransmitter involved in movement coordination, learning, memory, and cognitive function.

Researchers have established that L-theanine plays a major role in the formation of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). GABA is known for controlling fear, stress, and anxiety signals in the brain. By shutting down these messages, L-theanine appears to increase concentration and focus as well.*

Top L-Theanine Benefits for Your Mind and Body  

While larger-scale studies are needed, many smaller studies have found a wide range of benefits that come with consuming L-theanine regularly:

Increased Focus and Mental Alertness*

Researchers studied the effects of L-theanine in combination with caffeine on 44 healthy adults. Half of the participants were given 97 mg of L-theanine and 40 mg of caffeine, and the other half were given a placebo. The study found that those who took the combination of L-theanine and caffeine significantly improved their mental alertness and experienced reduced fatigue while performing cognitively demanding tasks. 

This combination has also shown to increase phrase verification accuracy, numeric working memory reaction time, and simple response time. If you’ve ever felt that you are able to concentrate better after drinking a cup of green tea, the L-theanine present in it deserves the credit. 

Although L-theanine can be taken alone, it has been proven that caffeine intake along with L-theanine consumption leads to improved focus and attention in adults.

Better Sleep Quality*

Many studies have shown that taking L-theanine before going to bed can help people unwind, making it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep for longer. Researchers believe that this naturally-occurring amino acid may impact the sleep-related molecules in the brain.

A randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial observed participants who took varied doses of L-theanine, ranging between 450 mg and 900 mg once a day for 8 weeks. These people were suffering from stress, anxiety, and high blood pressure. All of them experienced an increase in alpha brain waves, resulting in reduced physiological stress responses and better sleep.

Higher Resistance to Illness*

L-theanine may help your body’s immune system do a better job.* Research suggests that taking L-theanine can strengthen the immune function, making it harder for you to catch a cold or the flu.* It also has anti-inflammatory properties, which means it’s effective for disease prevention as a whole.*

A study was conducted to determine how L-theanine affects gut health, an important part of the immune system. People who took L-theanine supplements noticed an improvement in inflammation within their gastrointestinal system. Inflammation in the gut is associated with a number of acute and chronic conditions.

Anxiety and Stress Relief*

We’ve already talked about the calming-effects of L-theanine; multiple studies have been conducted to study this claim. Five randomized, placebo-controlled trials were held to observe 104 people and their experience with L-theanine as an anti-anxiety remedy. Researchers found that L-theanine was able to reduce their anxiety scores significantly.  

In another trial, schizophrenia patients were given L-theanine to manage their anxiety symptoms. The results were so promising that L-theanine was concluded to be a safe medication for a variety of schizoaffective disorders.

Manage ADHD*

If you’re looking for a natural way to treat and manage attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), L-theanine may offer a safe solution.*

A small-scale study looked at boys suffering from ADHD between the ages of 8 and 15. These children were either given L-theanine, a combination of L-theanine and caffeine, or a placebo before engaging in a task that required their focus and attention. Those who took L-theanine displayed major improvement in cognitive performance compared to those who took a placebo. Another trial found that taking L-theanine may also improve sleep efficiency in young people with ADHD.

Please talk to your doctor before taking L-theanine supplements if you’re currently taking medications for ADHD. While L-theanine is not harmful, it may interact with certain prescription drugs.

Slows Down Brain Aging*

Clinical studies of neurons show that L-theanine can reverse glutamate-induced toxicity. Glutamate-induced neurotoxicity is one of the biggest causes of degenerative brain disease. Because of its effect on the brain and musculoskeletal system, L-theanine has been shown to lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of a stroke as well. 

Adverse Effects of L-Theanine

There are no confirmed adverse effects of taking L-theanine in any form. Generally speaking, it’s safe to take supplements and drink teas that contain L-theanine.

That being said, if you decide to enjoy the benefits of L-theanine by drinking copious amounts of green tea, that can lead to nausea, irritability, and an upset stomach because of the high caffeine content. The best way to ensure you’re consuming L-theanine in a dosage that is safe and effective is via supplements.

Please note that the FDA doesn’t regulate supplements. It’s your responsibility to choose a brand that’s reputable and trustworthy. Do your research before buying a supplement; see what customers are saying about it. If a certain product has a lot of negative reviews or the manufacturer doesn’t disclose the amount and source of L-theanine clearly on the label, that’s a red flag. 

If you are pregnant, nursing, or taking prescription medications, it’s best to consult your doctor before taking L-theanine.

Alkalife^®Brain Performance Plus™ Contains the Power of L-Theanine

Alkalife^® Brain Performance Plus™, our all-natural, alkalizing formula designed to support brain function, contains 200 mg of L-Theanine as well as 50 mg of natural caffeine sourced from robusta seed extract in each serving. As L-theanine is able to easily cross the blood-brain barrier, its effects may be felt within 30 minutes in most cases.*

We have also added other highly potent ingredients to this formula, such as ashwagandha, lion’s mane mushroom, beetroot powder, essential minerals and amino acids. All of these superfood ingredients work synergistically to increase alertness, motivation, memory, and a calm, focused state.*

Place your order today and feel the difference as your body gets more energy to perform everyday tasks with confidence.* Have any questions? Call us at 305-235-5120 or send us a message online.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Alkalife^® products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or health condition.