Peace Of Mind | L-theanine

More about Peace of Mind

Green tea, prepared from the Camellia sinensis plant, has been consumed since ancient times for its calming influence. Modern research has looked into this “ancient wisdom” and revealed that L-theanine, an amino acid found almost exclusively in green tea, has specific and positive effects on the brain and nervous system, especially the promotion of relaxation without drowsiness.*

Neurological and Brain Support

Human studies suggest that within 40 minutes of oral administration, L-theanine positively affected alpha waves in the brain, a phenomenon indicating relaxation.[1] An eight- week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, based on the premise that L-theanine “possesses neuroprotective, mood-enhancing, and relaxation properties,”[2] suggested that 400 mg of L-theanine per day was found to be safe and effective. A double-blind counterbalanced study suggested that oral L-theanine positively influenced heart rate and salivary IgA levels, attenuated sympathetic nervous system activation, and positively supported individuals’ normal response to stress. [3] In examining L-theanine’s effect on cognition, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 91 subjects suggested thatindividuals taking a combination of L-theanine and green tea extract experienced significant increases in theta waves in several areas of the brain, indicative of increased cognitive alertness.*[4]

In cell studies, L-theanine appears to support neuronal health despite the presence of environmental toxins that ordinarily would increase the vulnerability of nigral dopaminergic neurons and negatively affect their function. L-theanine also appears to support neurological health by exerting a positive and significant impact on neurotrophic factors in the brain and assisting cell-signaling activity.*[5]

Research into animal neurochemistry suggests that L-theanine positively supports overall nervous system health and activity due to its positive effects on serotonin, dopamine, and GABA levels, as well as its modulation of excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission.[6,7] L-theanine crosses the blood-brain barrier intact and may continue to balance neurochemistry by blocking glutamate transport, significantly reducing levels of extracellular glutamate and supporting the release of dopamine and glycine from neurons.*[6,8,9]

Hepatic, Detoxification, and Cardiovascular Support

Research studying ethanol metabolism and hepatic toxicity in animals suggests that administration of L- theanine increases liver alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase activity, reducing blood ethanol concentration within one hour compared to controls. It is also suggested that L-theanine’s effect on cytochrome P450 2E1 activity, glutathione recovery, and antioxidant mechanisms supports healthy liver tissue and function.[10-12] L-theanine was observed to significantly inhibit hydrogen peroxide-induced cell death, and it may play an important role in the maintenance of liver health.[13] L-theanine, along with green tea polyphenols, was found to provide antioxidant activity that supports healthy LDL and oxidation levels and may subsequently support cardiovascular health.[14-16] Animal and human studies suggest that L- theanine supports healthy blood pressure in the normal range, in part because it moderates the negative side effects of caffeine.*[1,17,18]

L-theanine and Suntheanine®

Although theanine exists in both L- and D- forms, L-theanine is the preferred form due to its greater intestinal absorption and renal retention.[19] An analysis of six commercial products revealed that five of them contained the poorly absorbed D-theanine along with L-theanine. Only Suntheanine, the brand in Resilient Remedies’s Peace of Mind, appeared to contain only the preferred L-theanine enantiomer.[20] Suntheanine is protected by several patents that cover applications, such as reducing anxiety and promoting relaxation. The FDA has consequently approved the following structure/function claims regarding L-theanine: it reduces stress, it eases nervousness due to common everyday overwork and fatigue, and it reduces nervous irritability.[18,21] Resilient Remedies’s Peace of Mind provides 400 mg of Suntheanine L-theanine per two-capsule dose.*

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