All-Day Stress-Relief Form of L-Theanine

A majority of people today report frequent work-related stress and other anxiety issues that can lead to burnout.

Drugs designed to reduce stress and anxiety can sedate users and have addictive side effects that preclude long-term use.¹

A compound found in green tea, L-theanine, promotes relaxation and stress relief without drowsiness.²

L-theanine is rapidly metabolized in humans. Due to this rapid breakdown, multiple doses of L-theanine are needed throughout the day.³

Delivering L-theanine with a sustained-release technology helps overcome this problem, allowing its calming benefits to be spread out for stress relief.

Chronic Stress and Burnout

Surveys and studies in recent years show that stress is extremely common in the U.S.^4,5

Besides work-related stress, relationships, health, and finances can be additional sources of anxiety.⁴

Ongoing, chronic stress increases the risk for anxiety disorders and depression.⁶

Some reports found that as many as 80% of workers experience job-related stress.⁵

Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) recognized the impact of chronic workplace stress on an occupation-related syndrome called burnout, and the need for evidence-based guidelines to address it.⁷

Burnout is marked by:⁷

• Feelings of low energy or exhaustion,
• Increased "mental distance from one’s job," or having cynical or negative feelings about work, and
• Reduced ability to perform well at work.

A Superior Stress Reliever

Most medications designed to reduce stress and anxiety also sedate users or have other side effects that preclude their long-term use.¹

L-theanine is an amino acid primarily found in green tea. It has long been recognized for its ability to calm the mind and produce a state of "alert relaxation."⁸

Its benefits are in large part due to its close resemblance to glutamate, an excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain which rises during times of stress.⁹

L-theanine inhibits the activity of glutamate by blocking it from binding to receptors in the brain, tamping down stress-related brain stimulation. L-theanine also stimulates production of the relaxing neurotransmitter GABA.^10-13

Numerous studies have shown that L-theanine is effective at reducing stress.^2,8,14,15

There has been a problem in that L-theanine is rapidly metabolized. That means, after consumption, it stays in your system for a short period of time.³

To get all-day stress relief benefits from L-theanine, people needed to take multiple doses spaced throughout the day.

Technology has solved this issue.

Using a sustained-release delivery system, a single dose of L-theanine can provide potent stress relief all day long.

Unlike anti-anxiety drugs that can compromise brain functions, studies suggest that L-theanine improves cognitive performance under stress.^11,16

Reduce Stress and Fight Burnout

Several clinical trials have found that L-theanine relaxes the mind without inducing sleep or sedation.^2,8,14,15 In one study, pharmacy students starting high-stress clinical training were randomized to receive 200 mg of L-theanine twice per day or a placebo.¹⁷ Those taking L-theanine reported feeling significantly less stress than the placebo group.

Because burnout results from work-related stress,¹⁸ the ability of L-theanine to help prevent and reduce burnout is promising.

Physical Benefits

L-theanine doesn’t just make people feel less stressed. It has physical benefits as well.

During times of stress and anxiety, for example, the heart beats faster. Studies have shown that the heart rate response to a stressful task is reduced after consuming L-theanine,¹⁹ suggesting a reduction in stress.

Cortisol is often referred to as a "stress hormone" because its levels tend to rise with stress. Chronically elevated cortisol and other stress hormones can contribute to weight gain, heart disease, impaired memory, and other problems.⁶

A study measuring cortisol levels in saliva found that it wasreduced after intake of a nutrient drink containing L-theanine.²⁰

Alpha waves are a type of brain wave that can be seen on an electroencephalogram (EEG). Their presence is associated with a relaxed but alert mental state which is necessary for focused attention.²¹

Studies of L-theanine have found that it increases alpha-wave activity in the brain, especially in individuals having high levels of anxiety.^15,20,22,23

These results show that L-theanine not only reduces feelings of stress, but also reduces the physical signs of stress in the body. This is an important indication that this amino acid may reduce the toll that chronic stress can take on overall health.

Summary

Chronic, long-standing stress affects much of the adult population.

Most stress or anxiety drugs cause sedation and other negative side effects and may be addictive.

L-theanine, an amino acid found in green tea, has long been known to induce a state of alert relaxation. It relieves stress while maintaining mental clarity and sharpness.

L-theanine is rapidly metabolized in humans, requiring repeat dosing throughout the day to manage stress.

A novel sustained-release formulation of L-theanine solves this problem, providing continuous L-theanine to help maintain an alert but relaxed mind all day long.

If you have any questions on the scientific content of this article, please call a Life Extension Wellness Specialist at 1-866-864-3027.

References

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