Anybody heard of Theanine?

[Shananigan]

Hi everyone,

I just visited the health food store, and bought theanine on the recommendation of some guy there who has written some book. I was pretty skeptical, but I bought it anyway. Nothing seems to be working right now, so even though I didn't believe everything he said, I thought it might be worth a try. Anyone out there ever use this stuff? It is supposed to increase dopamine levels.

Thanks!

Shananigan

[lllex]

Hi Shananigan,

I have my son on theanine - along with many other supplements. He's only been on it a few weeks though, so I don't know if it's going to help or not. Actually with all the other supplements I have him on - I'll probably never know which ones help and which don't. Oh well, I just hope something helps. ;D

Keep us posted on how whether it helps you or not. What's the book? What type of dosage did he recommend?

Here's the article I read that got me started on theanine www.nutraceuticalsworld.com/Sept011.htm

Laura

[catatonic]

Theanine is an amino acid most readily found in green tea. It's actually a relative of glutamic acid, and a powerful antioxidant.

There seems to be some pretty decent (and growing) research evidence that green tea (and theanine) may help protect people from developing a number of types of cancer. It apparently inhibits tumor growth.

In Japan, theanine is used in doses of between 50mg and 200mg to provide mood support. I can't find much scientific evidence that it works, but it's still pretty widely consumed despite the lack of facts. Some research shows that at the higher dose (200mg) there is a reduction in symptoms of anxiety which doesn't last a whole long time - peaks about 40 minutes after taking the theanine.

Theanine may increase dopamine levels, although this has so far only been studied in animals. See:

Yokogoshi H, Kobayashi M, Mochizuki M, Terashima T. Effect of theanine, r-glutamylethylamide on brain monoamines and striatal dopamine release in conscious rats. Neurochem Res. 1998; 23:667-673.

I don't know if this will have any effect on ADHD symptoms. That question hasn't been studied at all so far. I do believe that the health benefits of theanine and green tea have been pretty strongly demonstrated, and there's no indication that it can hurt you in any way. So best of luck and let us know how theanine works for you.