It is estimated that there are more than 19 million adults in America that suffer in one way or another, from anxiety. While it is true that women are up to three times more likely than men to experience anxiety problems, it is also true that anxiety can be as a result of too much stress and even lack of sleep. This is further catalyzed by the huge demands that are characteristic of the American lifestyle, forcing many to work all day without rest. All this is done at the expense of relaxation and tension release as many people do not take any time to relax and recuperate.
There are a number of things that can be done to ease the tension and anxiety in our lives. These include things such as eating more greens and more fruits, cutting down on the consumption of caffeine and even eating smaller helpings. Another way of fighting the tension and anxiety is by using dietary supplements that enhance relaxation without being a hazard to the human body. One such supplement is Suntheanine which is a 100% pure form of L-isomer-theanine.
What is L-isomer-theanine?
For many centuries, green tea has been consumed in many parts of Asia for its abilities to bring and enhance relaxation to the mind and body. According to recent research, green tea contains a special component that helps to induce relaxation without causing any drowsiness. It is this component of green tea which is known as L-isomer-theanine or simply, L-theanine.
In order to gain all the benefits of L-theanine without necessarily consuming caffeine, researchers from Taiyo devised a fermentation process that uses ethylamine and L-glutamine to come up with a 100% pure form of L-theanine called Suntheanine. Not only is it able to bring about relaxation that is free of drowsiness, but it has also been proven to be safe having been awarded the GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status and even a letter of No Objection on its Safety from the FDA.
To add on that, Suntheanine has received several other awards and recognition that include the “Food Ingredient Research Award” in 1998 and the “Best New Product of 2000” given to it by Nutracon.
Benefits of Suntheanine
Suntheanine has been known to be quite useful in fighting off the negative side effects caused by the consumption of caffeine.
Suntheanine has also been proven to cause a relaxation effect due to its ability to not only cross over the blood-brain barrier but also to even out the brains neurotransmitters. In effect, this causes relaxation. In fact, according to studies, the production of alpha waves in the brain increased 30-40 minutes after the consumption of at least 50 mg of Suntheanine. Alpha waves are a clear indication of relaxation and mental alertness.
Suntheanine works more effectively than GABA supplements as it triggers the natural processes that lead to increased production of GABA. Research has proven that GABA has calming effects on the body. What’s more, GABA has been known to heighten feelings of pleasure. Using Suntheanine can, therefore, work towards inner peace and an increased sense of well-being.
The University of Shizuoka in collaboration with The Family Planning Institute of Japan also carried out a research that showed that consumption of 200 mg of Suntheanine on a daily basis could help in the elimination of anxiety and other symptoms of PMS.
Yet another known benefit of Suntheanine is its ability to enhance and improve memory and learning. It does this by balancing out the levels of compounds such as dopamine and serotonin. The end result is that one experiences an improvement in moods, alertness and even focus. All of these are instrumental in improving learning and memory.
However, one of the biggest benefits that accrue from the consumption of Suntheanine is improved and enhanced sleep quality. This is a benefit that many would find surprising because of the fact that Suntheanine does not cause drowsiness. The National Institute of Mental Health in Japan carried out a research that showed and proved the ability of L-theanine to improve the quality of sleep.
In the research, all the respondents were given 200 mg of L-theanine before sleeping and all of them reported feeling less exhausted and less sleepy when they woke up the next morning. In addition to that, the subjects reported fewer instances of waking up in the middle of the night which is a clear indication of sleep quality improvement. But perhaps most surprisingly, the test subjects reported fewer nightmares while sleeping.
The findings reinforced the assertion that Suntheanine does not lengthen the duration of one’s sleep. On the contrary, it relaxes the mind and allows it to achieve maximum relaxation and maximum recuperation. This explains why the respondents of the research reported less grogginess, higher degrees of refreshment and higher levels of alertness when they woke up.
Ultimately, Suntheanine is essential in improving one’s general body health by enhancing the immune system. After all, Suntheanine helps eliminate two major triggers of bad health; stress and lack of sleep. The elimination of sleep deprivation issues is particularly important as it acts like a two-edged sword; reducing stress and improving immunity. In fact, it is a well-known fact that the effectiveness of the body’s immune system is largely tied to getting good sleep.
What Dosage of Suntheanine is Appropriate?
Most of the research touching on the use of Suntheanine has shown that when 50-200 mg of Suntheanine is consumed on a daily basis, one can benefit from reduced tension, reduced stress levels, increased relaxation and even better sleep.
While it is possible to get L-theanine from drinking green tea, it would take up to 40 cups to consume the recommended amount of L-theanine. This is particularly risky as it would subsequently mean an increase in the consumption of caffeine which could be detrimental to one’s health.
The best alternative is, therefore, to take L-theanine in the form of Suntheanine. Suntheanine can either be in a capsule, chewable tablet or even beverage form. It is also best to consult with a physician before embarking on the use of Suntheanine, especially if one is under any prescription drugs or has been diagnosed with mental or physical disorders.
