From The Experts

See what nationally recognized doctors and pharmacists are saying about Suntheanine.

 

Sherry Torkos

Holistic Pharmacist

Sherry Torkos is a pharmacist, author, and certified fitness instructor. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science in 1992 and practices holistic pharmacy in the Niagara region of Ontario.

As a leading health expert, she has delivered hundreds of lectures to medical professionals and the public. She is frequently interviewed on radio and TV talk shows throughout North America and abroad.

Sherry has authored eleven books, including The Canadian Encyclopedia for Natural Medicine, The Glycemic Index Made Simple, Winning at Weight Loss and Breaking the Age Barrier.

For more information visit, www.sherrytorkos.com

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Dr. Lyon

Researcher and Physician

Dr. Lyon answers some common questions about Suntheanine.

Why can’t I just drink green tea to get the same affects?

Although green tea has numerous health benefits and I encourage people to drink green tea, it is very hard to obtain significant amounts of L-theanine by drinking green tea alone. Although most of the benefits of L-theanine are experienced with  doses of 50-400mg, the typical green tea sold in North America contains less than 10mg of L-theanine per serving. The finest grades of green tea sold in Japan may have much more L-theanine (as high as 50mg per serving) but this grade of tea is very hard to find in North America and, if you do find a reliable source,  it tends to command such a high price that it is far more economical to purchase nutritional products with defined levels of Suntheanine to enjoy the benefits of L-theanine on a daily basis. As well, green tea with the highest levels of L-theanine also tends to have the highest levels of caffeine, which may pose a problem with higher levels of consumption. To experience the numerous benefits of L-theanine it is wise to consume products with Suntheanine even if you do drink regular amounts of green tea.

Should I be concerned about taking l-theanine when also taking prescription drugs?  Are there any side effects with interaction with prescription drugs?

There are no known interactions between Suntheanine and prescription or over the counter drugs. Because In fact, because Suntheanine reduces anxiety and improves sleep quality, it may actually reduce the side effects of some drugs or medication. For example, Suntheanine has been shown to reduce the anxiety associated with caffeine consumption without reducing caffeine’s ability to improve wakefulness.

How much is too much?

Suntheanine can have noticeable benefits with doses as low as 50mg. However, for most adults, doses of 100mg to as much as 400mg or more are often used for greater effects. In doses of 400mg or greater, some people will experience some degree of sedation. This is advantageous if you are using Suntheanine to improve sleep quality, but it can be a problem during the day. Doses as high as 1000 mg of Suntheanine are safe but caution should be exercised if taking higher doses when you have to drive or operate machinery.

Is Suntheanine safe for children?

Suntheanine is a naturally occurring molecule that is present in the diets of children around the world where tea is a consumed and no concerns have ever been raised about its safety. Suntheanine has also been approved as a food ingredient and nutritional supplement in some countries for many years and in these countries it has a perfect safety record. Recently, I was in charge of a large double blind study in which 200mg of Suntheanine was consumed twice per day for six weeks in boys 8-12 years with attention deficit disorder. No side effects were reported in any of these boys and I now view Suntheanine as one of the safest natural products that can be given to a child.

Does green tea have caffeine?

Caffeine is present in all varieties of green and black tea. In fact, the best grades of green tea have more caffeine than any type of black tea and may have nearly as much caffeine as found in coffee cup for cup. Since the best types of green tea also have higher levels of L-theanine, the side effects of caffeine are not as apparent but it is still important to note that green tea drinking can contribute to anxiety and insomnia in susceptible individuals.

 

Dr. Teitelbaum

Board certified internist and director of the Annapolis Research Center for Effective CFS/Fibromyalgia Therapies.

Doctors have a slew of anti-anxiety medications to jot on their scrip pads, including Paxil and Valium.  “But these drugs are often not just ineffective – they are also rife with side effects, such as addiction, sedation, and sexual dysfunction,” cautions Jacob Teitelbaum, MD, the medical director of the Fibromyalgia and Fatigue Centers of America and author of Pain Free 1-2-3: A Proven Program to Get You Pain Free! (McGraw-Hill, 2006)

Find peace of mind with L-theanine, an amino acid found in green tea and “an outstanding treatment for anxiety,” says Teitelbaum.  “One of the greatest benefits of L-theanine is that you can use it without becoming sedated or lethargic in the process.”

L-theanine works in a couple ways, according to Teitelbaum.  First, it directly stimulates the production of alpha brain waves, which are associated with a relaxed-but-alert state of mind, similar to the state meditation achieves.  Secondly, he explains, L-theanine is involved in the formation of the neurotransmitter GABA, which calms you while you’re awake but deepens sleep at night.  “L-theanine also naturally stimulates the release of the ‘happiness molecules’ serotonin and dopamine.”  One study earlier this year, conducted by researchers at the program in Cognitive Neuroscience at the City University in New York, found that by boosting people’s alpha brain waves, L-theanine helped people stay more focused and responsive while performing mundane tasks.  Teitelbaum suggests 50 to 200 mg of the Suntheanine brand a few times a day.

An excerpt from the September 2007 issue of Alternative Medicine magazine