Brief Introduction

Synonyms--- L-Theanine, Natural Theanine, Green Tea Natural Theanine

Theanine (L-Theanine)

Chemical Name:2-Amino-4-(ethylcarbamoyl) butyric acid, or N-ethyl-L-glutamine, or gamma-glutamylethylamide, or 5-N-ethyl-glutamine
Molecular Formula: C₇H₁₄N₂O₃

Mol. Wt.:174.20 g/mol

Molecular Structure:

Theanine (/?θi??ni?n/), the amino acid in the characteristics of tea is a flavor of the tea material, and more exist in green tea. Theanine, one hand, as nutrition enhancer use in food, on the other hand, the Theanine efficacy of medical has been proven, it has anti-cancer, anti-tumor and lower blood pressure, soothe the nerves and promote brain function and nerve growth etc. Therefore can be used as additives of functional food. Now Theanine has proven that the use of functional food could promote the brain's memory and learning ability, and play a preventive role in the diseases of Parkinson and Alzheimer, nerve conduction disorders and so on. In addition, Theanine can be used to purify drinking water and deodorant.

Theanine is a glutamic acid analog or amino acid derivative commonly found in tea (infusions of Camellia sinensis), and also in the basidiomycete mushroom Boletus badius.More specifically, this compound is called L-theanine, being the levorotary enantiomer. In 1950, the tea laboratory of Kyoto successfully separated theanine from gyokuro leaf, which has the highest theanine content among all teas. Theanine is an analog to glutamine and glutamate, and can cross the blood-brain barrier. It is sold in the US as a dietary supplement, and is FDA confirmed as Generally recognized as safe (GRAS). The Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare approved the use of theanine for universal consumption in 1964.

Effects on the brain

Able to cross the blood-brain barrier, theanine has psychoactive properties. Theanine has been shown to reduce mental and physical stress, and improves cognition and mood in a synergistic manner with caffeine.

While structurally related to the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate, theanine only has weak affinity for the glutamate receptor on postsynaptic cells. Rather, its primary effect seems to increase the overall level of the brain inhibitory transmitter GABA. Theanine also increases brain dopamine levels and has a low affinity for AMPA, kainate and NMDA receptors. Its effect on serotonin is still a matter of debate in the scientific community, with studies showing increases and decreases in brain serotonin levels using similar experimental protocols. It has also been found that injecting spontaneously hypertensive mice with theanine significantly lowered levels of 5-hydroxyindoles in the brain. Researchers also speculate it may inhibit glutamic acid excitotoxicity. Theanine also promotes alpha wave production in the brain.

Studies on test rats have shown even repeated, extremely high doses of theanine cause little to no harmful psychological or physical effects. Theanine showed neuroprotective effects in one rat study.

A placebo-controlled trial has shown adding theanine to ongoing antipsychotic medication is helpful in reducing some symptoms of schizophrenia.

Several beverage manufacturers are selling drinks containing theanine and are marketing them as drinks to help people focus and concentrate, while other manufacturers claim relaxing and tranquillizing properties.

Immune system benefits

L-Theanine may help the body's immune response to infection by boosting the disease-fighting capacity of gamma delta T cells. The study, published in 2003 by the Brigham and Women's Hospital, included a four-week trial with 11 coffee drinkers and 10 tea drinkers, who consumed 600 milliliters of coffee or black tea daily. Blood sample analysis found the production of antibacterial proteins was up to five times higher in the tea drinkers, an indicator of a stronger immune response.

As a supplement

In 2003, the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (Bundesinstitut für Risikobewertung, BfR) objected to the addition of isolated theanine to beverages. The institute stated the amount of theanine consumed by regular drinkers of tea or coffee is virtually impossible to determine. While it was estimated the quantity of green tea consumed by the average Japanese tea drinker per day contains about 20 mg of the substance, there are no studies measuring the amount of theanine being extracted by typical preparation methods, or the percentage lost by discarding the first infusion. Therefore, with the Japanese being exposed to possibly much less than 20 mg per day, and Europeans presumably even less, pharmacological reactions to drinks typically containing 50 mg of theanine per 500 millilitres cannot be excluded, in the opinion of the BfR. Such reactions could include impairment of psychomotor skills and amplification of the sedating effects of alcohol and hypnotics.

In 2006, a study found no consistent, statistically significant treatment-related adverse effects on behavior, morbidity, mortality, body weight, food consumption and efficiency, clinical chemistry, hematology, or urinalysis in rats fed high doses of theanine for 13 weeks. Large studies in humans are missing.

The Natural Theanine used in dietary supplements is derived from the leaves of the plant green tea (Camellia sinensis).

Benefits

• Reduce mental and physical stress

• Provide mental support: Improves cognition and mood in a synergistic manner with caffeine.

• Help the immune system: Help the body's immune response to infection by boosting the disease-fighting capacity of gamma delta T cells

• Anti-cancer and Anti-tumor

Mechanism

Not available.

Safety

Natural Theanine from green tea is safe; no side effects have been reported to date.

Dosage

•  The typical dose is 300-900mg per day (usually in 2-3 doses throughout the day).
•  Consult physicians for different condition specifics.

GNI’s Natural Theanine Features and Benefits:

Natural Theanine from green tea is one of GNI's most competitive products, with many advantages as list in the following, produced as our patent-pending process and know-how technology from green tea (Camellia sinensis)leaves.

•  Produced with pure water only

•  High purity: over 99%

•  NO solvent - residual free

•  Pesticide-free

•  Light Yellow to Crystal white in appearance

•  High solubility in water

•  High anti-bacteria, and longer shelf life

Product Specifications:

10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 99% L-Theanine HPL