If you’re wondering what L-theanine is, keep reading. Here are some of this amino acid’s benefits and side effects, as well as some essential safety information. L-theanine can help you relax, boost your immune system, and protect your brain from stress. In addition, it can promote the healthy production of serotonin, dopamine, and GABA in the brain. These substances help manage stress and protect brain cells from damage caused by high levels of cortisol. Finally, by helping you feel less stressed, L-theanine can help your brain switch back to “alpha” wave patterns instead of the more common beta and delta wave patterns associated with deep sleep.
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Benefits of L-theanine
L-theanine is an amino acid found in tea. It has been studied for its potential to reduce stress. While many “stress-relieving” supplements do not live up to their claims, this amino acid is safe and effective. Read on for some of the benefits of this amino acid. Also known as L-theanine, it may help you relax, boost your focus, and reduce your fatigue.
L-theanine is found in tea and is naturally present in green, black, and white tea. Green tea contains the highest amount of L-theanine, while other types of tea may be low in the compound. Tea includes a variety of flavonoids and polyphenolic antioxidants, all of which are beneficial for overall health. Several studies have found that theanine in green tea positively affects heart health and inflammation. In addition, those who consume green tea regularly are 32 percent less likely to develop pancreatic cancer.
Side effects
Aside from reducing anxiety and stress, L-theanine is known to boost sleep and relax people. This is because it raises brain levels of serotonin, dopamine, and Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA), which are essential neurotransmitters. These chemicals are responsible for our mood, cognition, and overall well-being. In addition, they improve our relaxation, concentration, and creativity.
However, it should be noted that it can cause headaches at high dosages. Therefore, you should consult a physician before taking any supplements containing l-theanine. Also, if you have a history of headaches, you should consider taking l-theanine together with caffeine, which is not known to cause headaches.
L-theanine is an effective way to treat anxiety. Tea is a known anxiety-reduction tool. Researchers believe that L-theanine is responsible for this effect. They conducted five randomized-control trials and found that taking L-theanine reduced anxiety and stress. The researchers used data from five randomized control trials to develop this study. These results indicate that L-theanine may improve your sleep.
Dosing
Various studies have shown the positive effects of L-theanine. The dosage varies widely and may differ from two to four milligrams per day, depending on the survey. The most common dose for a cup of tea is around two milligrams. Although L-theanine is naturally present in many teas, the effects are unpredictable. Supplements with larger dosages are more likely to have the desired result.
The effects of L-theanine are beneficial for the immune system. It reduces the risk of upper respiratory tract infections and can enhance concentration and focus. It may even act as an anxiolytic, helping to protect the liver from damage caused by Xanax. However, the exact mechanisms by which L-theanine works are not yet fully understood. The most effective dosage depends on the person’s age, weight, and overall health.
Safety
During cancer treatment, L-theanine may improve the efficacy of anti-cancer agents. In addition, it may reduce unwanted physiological effects of anti-cancer drugs. For example, one 2004 study examined the effects of L-theanine on glutamate levels in mice and their interaction with glutathione. The findings showed that L-theanine increased glutamate levels and mitigated doxorubicin-induced glutathione reductions.
More research on the safety of L-theanine is needed to determine whether it can help prevent or treat various conditions. Although the primary benefits of L-theanine have been documented in rats and mice, it is unclear how the supplement will affect humans. In addition, most studies involving the compound are small-scale, lack diversity, and do not document specific extractions. Because of these drawbacks, it is essential to note that there are few clinical trials of L-theanine in humans.
Taking L-theanine is safe in the short term. Usually, it should not be taken longer than 16 weeks. However, it can interact with some medications, so checking with your doctor before starting a new supplement is essential. Primarily, it interacts with high-blood-pressure drugs and stimulants.
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