The secret ingredient for stress relief and improved cognitive function might be L-theanine. This essential amino acid modulates neurotransmitters and increases alpha waves in the brain, leading to a calmer mind.
Naturally derived from tea leaves and some mushrooms, this potent ingredient induces calmness by binding glutamate to its brain cell receptors. Excess glutamate neurotransmitters cause excitotoxicity or nerve cell death, resulting in oxidative stress and neurodegenerative diseases. L-theanine modulates glutamate concentration in the brain, preventing excess production of this neurotransmitter and inducing relaxation.
How Do We Know For Sure?
In fact, 2019 clinical trials examined the effects of L-theanine administration on cognitive functions and stress-related symptoms in healthy adults. It concluded that L-theanine can significantly reduce stress while improving memory and mental focus. In the study, adults who took a high dose of L-theanine exhibited improved neurophysiological indexes. They had better attention processing and enhanced cognitive functionality.
From the results, it is easy to see why most people consider L-theanine to be the best supplement for memory and focus. It decreases neural resource allocation to distractors, ensuring enhanced focus. The ingredient effectively suppresses mind wandering for increased focus and attention.
What Else Can It Do?
Although research is inconclusive, preliminary findings show that L-theanine can also prevent tumor cell invasion. The compound suppresses the growth and transfer of metastatic cancerous cells to other body parts. It blocks and captures free radicals that can damage brain cells and trigger the development of tumors.
Moreover, memory supplements containing L-theanine can minimize the impact of stroke. L-theanine improves blood flow to the brain, ensuring the brain receives essential nutrients for optimum cognitive performance. The ingredient stimulates nitric oxide production in the microvascular endothelial cells in the brain, lowering the risk of stroke. It also inhibits the generation of inflammatory cytokines, preventing massive chemical chain reactions, extreme excitotoxicity, and brain cell damage.
For older adults, taking memory supplements that contain L-theanine can help delay age-related cognitive decline. It can also treat chronic cognitive conditions such as Alzheimer’s and dementia, penetrate the blood-brain barrier and block humoral molecules from causing neuronal damage, suppress learning difficulties, and boost working memory capacity.
People with sleep difficulties aren’t left behind either. Through its calming effect, this bioactive compound combats disorders such as insomnia, narcolepsy, and obstructive sleep apnea. It ensures patients fall asleep faster and stay asleep without interruptions throughout the night.
Is It Safe?
As expected, a report by The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services shows that more Missourians are turning to dietary supplements to improve their memory, focus, and other cognitive functions. While the department prohibits nutritional supplements that pose significant health risks, L-theanine is an FDA-approved ingredient. The Food and Drug Administration classifies it as safe, meaning it has no threat.
The only concern is that some might not know what to consider when selecting the appropriate dietary supplement. They miss this critical step and opt for the first OTC supplement they can buy without looking at the ingredients.
Which Is The Best?
With that said, not all memory supplements are effective in inducing calmness. The ingredient composition plays a crucial role in determining the product’s effectiveness. Since most credible studies recommend L-theanine as a stress reliever and memory booster, patients should only consider supplements containing this amino acid for optimum results.
Price is another factor to consider when buying L-theanine supplements. Cheap or lowly-priced memory supplements are a risky proposition. They may contain fillers and inactive compounds, making them ineffective. In fact, most of these products don’t have transparent labels showing the product’s composition. The ideal L-theanine supplement must have a clear label indicating all the ingredients.
The ultimate dietary supplement for memory and focus should also include consumer protections, such as money-back guarantees or a trial period option. These measures ensure consumers can return the product and get a refund if it doesn’t deliver the expected outcome. Most importantly, it must comply with current health regulations to protect buyers from harm and losses.
How Much Should Be Taken?
Even though L-theanine has little to no side effects, taking more than the recommended dose can cause minor problems. Ideally, patients must not consume more than 250 mg of L-theanine per serving. A higher dosage, not exceeding 400 mg per serving, is only suitable for patients with schizophrenia. An overdose can cause slight gastrointestinal discomfort, diarrhea, irritability, dizziness, and nausea.
Pregnant and lactating mothers should consult a doctor before using memory supplements that contain L-theanine. And since interactions between L-theanine and other medications are inconclusive, people taking anti-seizure, asthma, blood pressure, and anti-clotting medications should seek medical advice before using L-theanine supplements.
