Have you ever enjoyed the relaxing effects of green tea? You may have wondered how a caffeinated drink could make you feel so calm.
In today’s Health Alert, I’ll tell you about green tea’s secret ingredient and how it can help relieve stress and anxiety. If you don’t like green tea, don’t worry. With new technology, you can enjoy all the benefits without the bitter taste.
Beat Stress the Natural Way
Did you know that green tea is the most popular drink in the world – second only to water? Millions of people use green tea to relieve the stresses of everyday life. Most don’t realize that green tea’s secret is an amino acid called L-Theanine.
Found in tealeaves, l-theanine reverses the stimulating effects of caffeine. It works in your brain by making alpha waves. This creates a feeling of deep relaxation and mental alertness similar to meditation.
It also affects the levels of two important brain chemicals: dopamine and serotonin. These neurotransmitters help create a sense of emotional well being. Other benefits include improved memory and learning ability.
Brain waves are the electrical impulses that can be measured on the surface of your head. There are four categories: delta, theta, alpha and beta. Each of the four corresponds to different mental states and activities:
• Delta – Deep Sleep
• Theta – Light Sleep and Drowsiness
• Alpha – Relaxed Wakefulness and Alertness
• Beta – Stressful Situations, Lack of Concentration
In one study, researchers saw alpha waves within forty minutes of people taking either 50mg or 200mg of l-theanine. In another study, they found that a dose of 200mg produced more alpha waves than the 50mg dose. This time, the effect occurred in only thirty minutes.2,
L-theanine is new in the US, but Japanese researchers have studied it for decades. In addition to stress relief, l-theanine is clinically proven to:
• Lower blood pressure.
• Boost the anti-tumor effects of some cancer drugs.
• Reduce the side effects of some cancer drugs.
• Prevent the oxidation of LDL (bad cholesterol).
How to Get the Most from L-Theanine
L-Theanine is incredibly safe. In Japan, there are no dietary limits on how much you can take. The Japanese Ministry of Health approved it for unlimited use in all foods, with the exception of baby food.
And here’s the best part: You can relieve stress and anxiety without feeling drowsy or sedated. L-theanine doesn’t make theta waves, the kind that put you to sleep. Only the alpha waves that keep you relaxed and alert.
The most effective dosage is between 50mg and 200mg. The benefits usually start within thirty minutes and last for about eight to ten hours. Start at 50mg and work up to 200mg if needed. Don’t take more than 600mg in a six-hour period.
There are no known adverse reactions and no drug interactions have been reported. L-theanine is not affected by food and can be taken at any time.
To Your Good Health,
Al Sears, MD
P.S. – Current research shows that L-theanine may be an alternative to Ritalin for children and adults with ADD and ADHD. (Attention Deficit Disorder and Attention Hyperactivity Disorder.)