L-theanine, that by-now famous constituent of green tea, can be like your best friend—calming you down and lifting your mood with a smile. Theanine was first studied for its calming effect.*[1] Calmness in a tea cup!
How L-theanine Promotes Calm
Theanine was, in fact, found to increase the alpha waves in your brain—those waves that relax the mind without causing sedative effects.*[2] Alpha waves are associated with calm and meditation, but also with increases in your ability to focus and be alert. (Perfect for students just before an exam!)
Another way in which theanine calms you down is by increasing your primary inhibitory neurotransmitter, GABA.*[3],[4] Theanine has been found to mediate its calming and neuroprotective effects by using GABAA receptors.*[5]
A third way is that it counters the stimulatory effects of caffeine.*[6] However, theanine, and by association, green tea, is now known to do a lot more for you! It may be able to maintain healthy blood pressure and heart rate during acute stress in stress-prone people.*[7],[8] Theanine is also a cognitive enhancer.* It has been shown in both human and animal studies to improve cognition, learning and memory.*[10],[11]
Theanine can also protect the brain from various forms insults and free radical damage.*[12],[13],[14] We know that it helps reduce the damage from elevated glutamate—a condition called excitotoxicity, and so protects neurons from excessive glutamate stimulation.*[15],[16] In animal models, theanine protected neurons from oxidative stress and restored reduced levels of the antioxidant enzymes GSH, SOD, and CAT.*[18] Theanine is also known to enhance BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), an important compound that helps us build new neuron connections.*[19],[20]
And the good news is that theanine provides you with all these benefits in the amounts of tea you would normally drink—a couple cups daily or taken in supplement form (50-200 mg). So relax, have yourself a cup of green tea and know that you are boosting your brain power!
Prefer Supplements to Green Tea?
Sanesco has several targeted nutritional formulas that include L-theanine as Suntheanine, a highly purified version for enhanced efficacy.
- Contegra™ is a broad-spectrum support formula for those who complain of anxiousness yet are fatigued due to poor sleep quality. Ingredients support inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitter production, adrenal and thyroid function, and methylation pathways.* It also supplies cofactors and/or phosphorylated forms of B vitamins critical for proper neurotransmitter function.*
- Lentra™ is a natural formula targeting GABA-A receptors.* It is a highly effective product which supports inhibitory neurotransmission and allows relaxation and restfulness without inducing sedation.*
- Tranquilent™ is a unique, chewable, raspberry-flavored formula providing support for the inhibitory neurotransmitter system—both serotonergic and GABAergic neurotransmission.* May be used when calm or relaxation is needed in the short term as well as for rebalancing the inhibitory system over the long term.*
TNT™ formulas are available through Sanesco healthcare providers. Find or become a provider.
References
[1] Lardner AL. (2014). Neurobiological effects of the green tea constituent theanine and its potential role in the treatment of psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. Nutr Neurosci. Jul;17(4):145-55.
[2] Nobre AC, Rao A, Owen GN. (2008). L-theanine, a natural constituent in tea, and its effect on mental state. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 17 Suppl 1:167-8.
[3] Nathan PJ, Lu K, Gray M, et al. (2006). The neuropharmacology of L-theanine(N-ethyl-L-glutamine): a possible neuroprotective and cognitive enhancing agent. J Herb Pharmacother. 6(2):21-30.
[4] Shen H, Shen X, Wang R, et al. (2011). [Effects of theanine on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats]. Wei Sheng Yan Jiu. Nov;40(6):684-7.
[5] Egashira N, Hayakawa K, Osajima M, et al. (2007). Involvement of GABA(A) receptors in the neuroprotective effect of theanine on focal cerebral ischemia in mice. J Pharmacol Sci. Oct;105(2):211-4.
[6] Eschenauer G, Sweet BV. (2006). Pharmacology and therapeutic uses of theanine. Am J Health Syst Pharm. Jan 1;63(1):26, 28-30.
[7] Yoto A, Motoki M, Murao S, et al. (2012). Effects of L-theanine or caffeine intake on changes in blood pressure under physical and psychological stresses. J Physiol Anthropol.31:28.
[8] Siamwala JH, Dias PM, Majumder S, et al. (2013). L-theanine promotes nitric oxide production in endothelial cells through eNOS phosphorylation. J Nutr Biochem. 24(3):595-605.
[10] Lardner, op. cit.
[11] Nathan, op. cit.
[12] Cho HS, Kim S, Lee SY, et al. (2008). Protective effect of the green tea component, L-theanine on environmental toxins-induced neuronal cell death. Neurotoxicology. 29(4):656-62.
[13] Thangarajan S, Deivasigamani A, Natarajan SS, et al. (2014). Neuroprotective activity of L-theanine on 3-nitropropionic acid-induced neurotoxicity in rat striatum. Int J Neurosci. 124(9):673-84.
[14] Sumathi T, Shobana C, Thangarajeswari M, et al. (2015). Protective effect of L-Theanine against aluminium induced neurotoxicity in cerebral cortex, hippocampus and cerebellum of rat brain – histopathological, and biochemical approach. Drug Chem Toxicol. 38(1):22-31.
[15] Kimura K, Ozeki M, Juneja LR, et al. (2007). L-Theanine reduces psychological and physiological stress responses. Biol Psychol. 74(1):39-45.
[16] Zukhurova M, Prosvirnina M, Daineko A, et al. (2013). L-theanine administration results in neuroprotection and prevents glutamate receptor agonist-mediated injury in the rat model of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion.Phytother Res. 27(9):1282-7.
[18] Thangarajan S, Deivasigamani A, Natarajan SS, et al. (2014). Neuroprotective activity of L-theanine on 3-nitropropionic acid-induced neurotoxicity in rat striatum. Int J Neurosci. 124(9):673-84.
[20] Cho, op. cit.
