L-theanine vs. Suntheanine™: What’s in a Name?

Theanine

N-ethyl-L-glutamine, or L-theanine, is the amino acid that draws the spotlight to green tea¹. L-theanine provides the calming effects and that characteristic savory, umami flavor of the iconic herbal tea.* Like all amino acids, theanine exists in two forms: D and L.² We are particularly interested in the L-form as the D-form is not biologically available. Therefore, it does not have the same effects and can even block the absorption of its L-form counterpart³.

L-theanine is distinguished for many reasons, including alpha-brain wave stimulation and sharpening of focus and attentiveness. Alpha-brain wave transmission induces a sense of calm and relaxation, which is why green tea is praised as a de-stress remedy.⁴ Importantly and unlike most other calming herbs, the L-theanine in green tea welcomes relaxation without bringing on a tide of drowsiness.* Alpha-brain wave stimulation also heightens a sense of alertness and awareness that isn’t dampened by feelings of lethargy or grogginess.⁵ One study exploring the effects of L-theanine in boys with attention issues found that when administered twice daily, L-theanine improved quality of sleep without disrupting their normal bed- and waking times.*⁶

Suntheanine™

Green tea is an excellent source of the illustrious L-theanine. However, the amino acid only comprises about 1-2% of green teas leaves’ dry weight.⁷ That is why many supplement companies have sought extraction and fermentation processes to put adequate doses of L-theanine in a neat little capsule. However, these processes do not always yield 100% or even high concentrations of L-theanine, meaning that they may be equal parts L- and D-theanine. This is a problem that Suntheanine™ brand of L-theanine solved.

Suntheanine, the product of a Japanese manufacturer, is standardized to 99% L-theanine. In a study comparing five other theanine supplements, Suntheanine™ was found to be the only one that was nearly pure.⁸ Suntheanine™ is so potent and effective it is the predominant source of L-theanine used in research studies exploring its effectiveness for a myriad of health concerns.*

Theanine in Supplements

When selecting a green tea to sip on, L-theanine content usually corresponds to quality. Teas such as matcha and sencha often have the most L-theanine, while black teas have much less.⁹ If green isn’t your cup of tea, Suntheanine has been incorporated into several different food products, such as sodas, chocolate, juices, and other herbal teas.¹⁰ When interviewed about the ingredients in the relaxation drink Just Chill®, the creator exclaimed that he and his developers chose Suntheanine™ specifically because of its superiority and efficacy for promoting calm.*¹¹

When choosing an L-theanine supplement, it is important to make sure the product contains Suntheanine™ as its source to safeguard effectiveness and satisfaction. Research suggests that between 50-200 mg of Suntheanine™ is an adequate dose to notice relaxation.*¹² In regard to pediatrics, one study administered 400 mg of Suntheanine™ without any notable side effects or adverse reactions.¹³

Ready to feel relaxed? Look no further than Sanesco’s Prolent™, Lentra™, and Contegra™ formulas which each contain 75 mg of Suntheanine™ and can be used to alleviate anxiousness, nervousness, and low mood.*

Resources

1. Juneja, L. R., Chu, D. C., Okubo, T., Nagato, Y., & Yokogoshi, H. (1999). Trends in Food Science & Technology, 10(6), 199-204; Wakabayashi, C., Numakawa, T., Ninomiya, M., Chiba, S., & Kunugi, H. (2012). Psychopharmacology, 219(4), 1099-109.
2. Op cit. Jenega et al. 1999; Vlasov, T. D. (2014). Mechanisms of protection of the brain from ischemic injury by components of tea. Neuroscience and Behavioral Physiology, 44(4), 376-383.
3. Desai, M. J. and Armstrong, D. W. (2004). Analysis of derivatized and underivatized theanine enantiomers by high-performance liquid chromatography/atmospheric pressure ionization-mass spectrometry. Rapid Commun. Mass Spectrom., 18: 251–256.
4. Nantz, M. P., Rowe, C. A., Bukowski, J. F., & Percival, S. S. (2009). Standardized capsule of Camellia sinensislowers cardiovascular risk factors in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Nutrition, 25(2), 147-154; Ogasawara, Y., Okubo, T., Ueda, T., & Ozeki, M. (2005). Biological Activities of L—Theanine (Suntheaninetm), an Amino Acid of Green Tea, in Humans.
5. Mason, R. (2001).  Alternative & Complementary Therapies, 7(2), 91-95.
6. Lyon, M. R., Kapoor, M. P., & Juneja, L. R. (2011). Altern Med Rev, 16(4), 348-354.
7. Op. cit. Desai 2004; Op cit. Jenega et al. 1999; Op. cit. Mason 2001.
8. What is Suntheanine? (n.d.). Retrieved June 09, 2017, from http://www.suntheanine.com/what-is-suntheanine.
9. Op. cit. Mason 2001; Op. cit. Vlasov 2014; Ekborg-Ott KH, Taylor A, Armstrong DW (1997) Varietal differences in the total and enantiomeric composition of theanine in tea. J Agric Food Chem 45:353–363.
10. Op. cit. Mason 2001.
11. L-theanine: Natural Stress Relief for Calm & Focus. (n.d.). Retrieved June 09, 2017, from http://drinkjustchill.com/l-theanine.
12. Op. cit. Mason 2001; Op. cit. Ogasawara et al. 2005; Op cit. Jenega et al. 1999.
13. Op. cit. Lyon (2011).

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.