Anxiety: Have you heard any info on L-Theanine? (found in green tea) I hear it’s an amino acid used to treat anxiety.. I’ve only heard great things but don’t know of anyone who has used it. Your thoughts?
By award-winning author and stress-relief expert Susie Mantell
I am guessing from your email address that perhaps you are a professional in the field. Either way, I am glad you are willing to do a little research to be sure you stay safe and healthy. While I use and benefit from certain over the counter herbs and nutritional supplements myself, I do so only with sound medical advice of both my physician, and a master herbalist, extremely knowledgeable about herbal preparations, brands...and me.
Don't know anyone who's using L-THEANINE--sorry. But I have read some positive (albeit unsubstantiated) blurbs that unlike Kava-Kava, Valerian and St. John's Wort, it's said not to cause drowsiness. Some say there are no "known" adverse reactions, yet others say it is strongly contraindicated with antidepressants, sedatives or recreational drugs. As you might imagine, there could be a significant crossover population there, being treated for depression, but self-medicating for anxiety, or drinking alcohol.
I did a very quick search on the www for you:
The sites I found L-THEANINE on were largely promoting products, so----hard to know from an biased perspective. It does not appear on any of the highly credible, mainstream medical sites, even quite progressive "ahead of the curve"...and integrative. Even Andrew Weil's site--Nothing. "0" results for it on Mayo Clinic, CDC, WebMD, Discovery Health, NIH, Harvard Intelihealth, E-Medicine, Ivanhoe, etc., etc. So...Not to say it is not a great preparation---but I'd say it's too soon to ensure efficacy or safety, if it isn't even on their radar screen in any way yet.
Each OTC product really should be viewed as a "medication" as each may help or harm, depending on individual constitution, interactions with foods or other supp's., genetic predisposition, etc. e.g. There are many who use and love Kava Kava, and others recently have some concerns about it. The same is true of St. John's Wort, echinacea, etc. There are serious Pros and Cons, depending upon who is taking it, what else they're taking or eating, why they are taking it, it's purity, dosage, etc. (e.g. People take echinacea thinking it's great for the Immune System. However if someone has any form of Auto-Immune activity going on, by boosting immune activity, they can actually boost their disease. I have been told that the same is true in the case of a very rare cancer known as Multiple Myeloma. While many cancer survivors do great taking high doses of some vitamins as directed by their doctors, in the case of Myeloma those very same vitamins may actually serve as "fertilizer" for the cancer cells, increasing the proliferation of cancer.)
Over-the-counter preparations, teas, amino acids, minerals, etc., can do great good in some cases, but exactly as with prescription medications,
skilled, professional medical advice is essential. The final decision truly
should be made by a health care professional who knows your history, what
else you are taking, your personal allergies or sensitivities, the reason
you desire medications for anxiety or depression, and is well-aquainted
with all the biochemical effects the product might have not just on "anyone." On YOU! (S)He also needs to monitor you and make dosage adjustments as needed.
Please note that I am not a medical professional. What I can do is refer you to a previous article I wrote about
over-the-counter supplements that might be helpful too.
Please see:
http://www.relaxintuit.com/displaytips.asp?ID=157
http://www.relaxintuit.com/displaytips.asp?ID=158
http://www.relaxintuit.com/displaytips.asp?ID=153
I love that we have so many integrative and progressive alternatives to
traditional Western medicine, but I have great concerns about how quick
people are to take botanical medical preparations or nutritional supplements
without full information and follow-up monitoring. L-THEANINE may be just great.....or may not be. Keep reading and talking with professionals who can help, and supervise whatever course you choose.
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Award-winning stress-relief expert Susie Mantell ...is the author of the deeply soothing relaxation CD, "Your Present: A Half-Hour of Peace,” clinically approved for symptoms associated with stress and sleeplessness, depression and grief, anxiety, P.T.S.D., Fibromyalgia, caregiver stress, cancer, pain, divorce and addiction recovery. Featured in The Los Angeles Times, NBC, ABC, CBS-TV, Town & Country, The American Pain Society, Hazelden and The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, listeners include The Mayo Clinic, Memorial Sloan-Kettering, The Betty Ford Center, V.A. Hospitals,and Canyon Ranch (#1 Spa.) Customizing stress-reduction for Fortune 500 companies, distinguished hospitals and spas, Mantell has facilitated thousands in relieving health-related, work-related, chronic or traumatic stress. Her multi-sensory, mind-body techniques appear in national media, medical and corporate publications. Susie Mantell's Stress-Relief & Wellness Tips are intended as an adjunct to, not a substitute for, professional health care. Order “Your Present: A Half-Hour of Peace” and find more of Mantell’s stress-relief tips at www.relaxintuit.com