Theanine
From MEpedia, a crowd-sourced encyclopedia of ME and CFS science and history
Theanine or L-theanine, also known as boletus badius, camellia sinensis, gamma-ethylamino-L-glutamic acid or suntheanine, is an amino acid found in green tea that is sometimes taken as a herbal or alternative medicine.[1][2]
Uses[edit | edit source]
Theanine is has suggested for:
- Anxiety[2]
- Brain fog symptoms (cognitive impairment), e.g. to improve concentration mental alertness, and memory, particularly in combination with green tea extract or caffeine[2][3]
- Improving response to conventional cancer treatment or reducing cancer treatment side effects[1]
- Depression[1]
- Immune system support[2]
- Insomnia[1]
Dosage[edit | edit source]
Doses used in short term clinical trials include:
- Anxiolytic / anxiety - 200 - 250mg in a single dose
- Cognitive performance and mental alertness - 97 - 100mg, taken with caffeine
- Psychiatric symptoms - 240 to 400mg daily, in divided doses[2]
Risks and side effects[edit | edit source]
Headache, dizziness and gastrointestinal symptoms have been reported.[2]
Availability[edit | edit source]
Theanine is inexpensive and available over the counter.[1]
Evidence[edit | edit source]
Evidence is limited for most suggested uses and some trials have reported no benefits or mixed results.[1]
ME/CFS[edit | edit source]
Learn more[edit | edit source]
- L-theanine - Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
- L-theanine - drugs.com
See also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 "L-Theanine". Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 "L-Theanine Uses, Benefits & Dosage - Drugs.com Herbal Database". Drugs.com. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
- ↑ Park, Sang-Ki; Jung, In-Chul; Lee, Won Kyung; Lee, Young Sun; Park, Hyoung Kook; Go, Hyo Jin; Kim, Kiseong; Lim, Nam Kyoo; Hong, Jin Tae (April 2011). "A combination of green tea extract and l-theanine improves memory and attention in subjects with mild cognitive impairment: a double-blind placebo-controlled study". Journal of Medicinal Food. 14 (4): 334–343. doi:10.1089/jmf.2009.1374. ISSN 1557-7600. PMID 21303262.
