L-Theanine The Stress Amino Acid:

Stress is one of the most common problems found among an increasing number of individual in today’s world. Anxiety, lack of sleep, digestive problems and heart diseases are some of the major outcome of stress. Various researches have been conducted to find out a solution for stress relief during the last few decades. A handful of such studies reveal that green tea helps ease stress to a great extent.

Green tea gains its stress relieving quality due to the presence of a compound called L-Theanine. Being an amino acid, it has constructive effect on body. This compound is primarily found in green tea leaves and is known to add a savory flavor to the tea. It is also naturally found in some mushrooms but in lower quantities as compared to green tea.

Can L-Theanine from green tea ease stress?

A research conducted in Japan in 2009 shows the effect of green tea in lowering psychological distress. 42,093 individuals participated in the study with an age of 40 years and above. Participants who had an average consumption of five or more cups of green tea per day showed lower psychological distress as compared to those who had one to two cups of green tea each day. This shows that the active ingredient, L-Theanine present in it helps reduce stress when taken in right quantities.

Another research was conducted to compare the effect of caffeine and caffeine plus L-Theanine showed positive effect of the ingredient in increasing cognition and enhancing mood. During the study, participants were placed in three different groups; caffeine, caffeine plus L-Theanine and placebo. Several tests were conducted on the individuals before and after the study and at the baseline. It was found that participants with caffeine plus L-Theanine had an increase ability to perform brain tasks.

This shows that the compound have positive effects on brain.

L-Theanine has a property to cross blood-brain barrier and can affect functioning of brain. This helps in releasing stress. This is the reason why green tea helps in enhancing mood and increases alertness. People who are under stress can become a victim depression and other related disorders. Moreover, depression invites other vulnerable diseases. It is thus, essential to keep stress away through natural means. The high antioxidant levels found in green tea also helps keep away may diseases.

L-Theanine is also present in an extracted form as supplements but studies shows that the amount of it present in a cup of green tea can help in easing moderate stress. It is natural, safe and can be taken regularly for visible results. Increased dosage of the compound may be used to treat high levels of stress, anxiety and other related disorders. Higher dosage of the compound could be harmful and should be undertaken under medical supervision.

Side effects

There are no or few possible side effects known, for the intake of L-Theanine in moderate amounts. There can be an increase in functionality of other medicines when taking them along with L-Theanine. For example, patients who are already taking medicines for sleeplessness, hypertension and anxiety may experience an increased effect of their medicine. Though a cup of green tea having this active ingredient does not pose any treat to the body or mind and is the best way to ward off stress in a natural way.

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Tired of dealing with stressful work tasks everyday?

Well, giving up isn’t an option. You just need something to ease your mind no matter what pressured situation you find yourself into. Perhaps a dose of theanine loaded green tea is all you need.

What is Theanine?

Theanine is amongst the most popular amino acids due to its calming effects for a sound mind. This substance is naturally occurring in green tea and black tea, which is a good reason why drinking a cup of any of these tea choices make a good jumpstart every morning. Theanine can rarely be found in dairy products, legumes and protein rich foods and the bay bolete mushroom that grows by the wooden sectors of North America and Europe makes a great source for it.

Furthermore, this particular amino acid is an antagonist toward caffeine as well as other elements, which can stimulate neurons to bring about excitement to the central nervous system and the brain – thus promoting equilibrium for a well-focused mind.

How Theanine Works

Usually known as L-theanine, this substance utilizes the ability of being easily absorbed and circulated throughout the bloodstream to be filtered by the brain thereafter. Once it reaches the brain, this amino acid can reinforce generation of GABA to induce a calming sensation. For that reason, theanine is always of great use to people with deep anxiety as well as to those who are overly stressed. By inciting the brain for an escalated GABA production, neurotransmitters throughout the system that act for excitation are either calmed down or turned off.

On another note, GABA serves as an agent to maintain the balance of neurons that appeal to “fight or flight” mechanisms, especially when a plethora of excitory impulsion’s are observed.

With how theanine works to endow mind calmness, it is recommended by several medical professionals for people who suffer from panic disorders and general anxiety disorders. Nevertheless, theanine based beverages like green tea surely makes a great addition to your daily diet.

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Theanine

In some cases, the stress and anxiety levels for many people reach rampant propositions. With heavy work load day and night, sleep is a rare indulgence for many. Actually too much stress and anxiety can damage your health. Many studies in Japan and the United States in the past few years have proved that L-theanine can help in promoting relaxation in brain, and promoting sleep. Just 200 g of L-theanine when taken before bedtime can improve the quality of sleep in many people. Moreover, there are no side-effects of Theanine when it is taken for a long time.

But what is L- theanine ?

L theanine has become well know due to its extensive use in various health drinks and supplements that are currently highly popular on the market. It was discovered more than 51 years ago by Japanese when they found that green tea leaves contain L theanine that has great relaxing effects on brain. Basically Theanine is a glutamic acid and amino acid that is mostly found in green tea. Theanine is also referred to as L-theanine and as soon as it is digested by small intestine, it stimulates brain, which makes a person more alert and relaxed. L-theanine is administered orally, and is absorbed through intestinal tract. It is then hydrolyzed to ethylamine, and glumatic acid in liver.

Various benefits of L-theanine

L-theanine helps in improving person’s mood, and stress. It also improves focus specifically when working in conjugation with caffeine. L-theanine helps in boosting the immune system of body, and increases the disease fighting capability of gamma-delta T cells.

Proper functioning of immune system is very important. Many studies in the past have shown that green tea is very beneficial for one’s health. People taking Theanine have shown marked improvement in their alpha wave activity, which is there when you are alert, but not when you are stressed.

L-theanine is highly effective in reliving anxiety and stress without any side effects found in several calming supplements on the market. Theanine also helps in the production of calming amino acids such as GABA, dopamine, and even tryptophan. Many heath care practitioners suggest a dosage of around 200 mg, or one capsule for an individual.

L-theanine also plays a significant role in the reduction or release of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, and dopamine, which boosts one’s learning ability and memory. All these factors also benefit heart health, and help in maintaining normal blood pressure.

L-theanine also helps in the prevention of cancer, and any cardiovascular diseases. It also allows rejuvenation of major body organs such as brain and heart.

In fact, regular intake of Theanine also helps in the reduction of excess weight. Often, Theanine supplement is recommended with other weight loss supplements. L-theanine is now included in many skin care products and cosmetics. Skin creams enriched with Theanine help in relieving the stressed skin. In fact, many clinical studies show that L-theanine nourishes and moisturizes stressed portions of dermis. Best of all, it is totally safe, and you can use it for a long time without worrying about any side effects.

Green Tea And Your Health

Green tea is the ultimate health tonic. Its health benefits have been documented for over 4000 years, making it the most extensively studied among all beverages. Modern research points to organic compounds naturally occurring in the leaves of Camellia sinensis and their infusions. Of course, these studies draw on centuries-old anecdotal evidence that is overwhelmingly positive. More importantly, well-designed clinical trials looking into its medicinal potential have been very promising.

Green Tea And Cellular Damage

Inhibits Carcinogenesis

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is a catechin very abundant in green tea, but completely absent in black tea. It is the subject of many international studies regarding the purported effects of green tea on cancer cells. A number of these studies have come to the conclusion that EGCG suppresses the growth of tumors and inhibits the formation of cancer cells.

Prevents Skin Damage

Photoaging refers to the damaging effects of sunlight on the skin largely owing to exposure to ultraviolet rays. Green tea is particularly rich in polyphenolic antioxidants that protect skin cells from oxidative stress, which brings on changes on the skin tied to the process of aging. Furthermore, these compounds contain protective properties that ward off common irritants.

Helps Combat Stress

Cortisol is the best known stress hormone in the human body. It is released in response to challenging conditions. However, high levels of cortisol in long periods of time bring on physical and mental fatigue, the reason why most stress relievers target this hormone. Green tea does exactly that. In fact, it is so effective that cortisol levels drop in less than an hour.

Boosts Mental Clarity

Green tea contains an abundance of the amino acid L-theanine, which crosses the blood-brain barrier and modulates the metabolism of glutamate. It is postulated that L-theanine creates a homeostatic effect on excitatory neurotransmitters and raises neuronal activities in the brain and the rest of the central nervous system, improving the process of learning.

Green Tea And Weight Loss

Improves Metabolism

The catechins in green tea have been linked to increases in energy production and consumption, the reason they enhance athletic performance and promote weight loss. For one, green tea modulates the capacity of cells to take up glucose from the blood, thereby maintaining healthy blood sugar. Also, it increases body temperature by utilizing fatty issues, speeding up overall metabolism.

Lowers Bad Cholesterol

Green tea has long been associated with reducing cholesterol levels in the blood. In fact, it promotes cardiovascular health in many different ways. It interferes with excessive releases of low-density lipoproteins, or bad cholesterol, from the liver. In addition, it enhances the reactivity of blood vessels, inducing normal blood pressure in the process.

Boosts Immune System

White blood cells in the employ of the immune system manufacture special proteins and release them during detection of invasive pathogens, such as bacteria and viruses, and other potential threats. Strong immune system translates into healthy productions of antimicrobial proteins and white blood cells, which have been noted to be five times higher in population known to consume green tea.

Have you had your Green Tea today?