Can individuals incorporate the beneficial properties of l-theanine into their routines to reduce stress and improve brain function?

Introduction

More often than not, many people worldwide are constantly in stressful situations. People worry about the smaller things, from deadlines to piles and errands that must be done as soon as possible. Now, when environmental factors start to cause overlapping risk profiles associated with stress, it can lead to neurocognitive dysfunction and other comorbidities affecting the body, which is why there are numerous ways for people to reduce their stress and function in a healthier lifestyle. One of the ways to reduce stress can be found in a local grocery store, incorporating L-theanine. Today’s article focuses on how stress can affect the brain and how L-theanine can combat stress and help improve brain function. We discuss with certified medical providers who inform our patients how L-theanine can help reduce chronic stress that is affecting the body and how it can affect their brain function. While asking informed questions to our associated medical providers, we advise patients to incorporate mindful techniques and L-theanine as part of their routine to improve their brain function and prevent chronic stress from reoccurring. Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., encompasses this information as an academic service. Disclaimer.

 

How Stress Affects The Brain

Have you experienced the 2 p.m. slumps that you constantly run on low energy after a hectic work or school day? How often do you experience brain fog that makes you unable to function properly? Or are you constantly stressed and feeling muscle aches and pains? Everyone knows stress is a major influence on their daily lives and can impact their mood, well-being, and health. (Schneiderman et al., 2005) Hence, stress comes in two forms: acute and chronic. Depending on the situation that the person is experiencing, stress can affect not only the body but also the brain. Short-term or acute stress can help enhance the immune response to the body, giving it a little boost of energy; however, in its long-term or chronic form, it can dysregulate the immune system and affect the brain function of the body. (Dhabhar, 2014)

 

Now, many people are thinking, how does stress affect brain function? The brain is the main organ for stress reactivity and helps distribute neural circuitry that determines what threats are coming that cause stress to the individual. (McEwen & Gianaros, 2010) When a person is dealing with a highly stressful situation, the brain determines that this situation is threatening and causes the individual to deal with stress cortisol levels. Hence why, many individuals are dealing with headaches, general aches, and pain around the neck and shoulders; stress causes issues with brain function; it can disrupt the neuron signals in the body, which leads to the development of inflammation, chronic illnesses, and neurological conditions to arise. Fortunately, there are numerous ways to reduce stress to prevent brain dysfunction and enhance the body while relaxing it.

 


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How Does L-Theanine Combat Stress?

When finding natural ways to reduce stress, many people will search for different ways to relax and ease the stress. One of the ways many people can reduce stress is by sipping some green tea. Green tea contains polyphenolic compounds and about 1 to 3% L-theanine that can positively affect stress and mental health consequences in individuals. (Almudhi & Gabr, 2022) Additionally, drinking green tea or taking L-theanine supplements as part of a daily routine can be combined with relaxing hobbies to lower stress and boost energy levels. L-theanine is also an amino acid with stress-relieving effects that can improve glutamine and dampen inflammatory effects. (Unno et al., 2024)

 

How Does L-Theanine Improve Brain Function?

L-theanine can help improve brain function when consumed in tea form and decrease the risk for neurodegenerative disorders as a potential therapeutic agent. (Valverde-Salazar et al., 2023) Additionally, when individuals start to consume L-theanine, it can provide positive neuroprotective effects and cognitive function, which helps increase alertness and reduces brain fog. (Sokary et al., 2023) When individuals start thinking about their health and wellness by consuming L-theanine in tea form, it can provide beneficial properties combined with therapeutic options to help reduce chronic stress levels and improve brain function so they can have a healthier and stress-free life.

 


References

Almudhi, A., & Gabr, S. A. (2022). Green tea consumption and the management of adrenal stress hormones in adolescents who stutter. Biomed Rep, 16(4), 32. doi.org/10.3892/br.2022.1515

Dhabhar, F. S. (2014). Effects of stress on immune function: the good, the bad, and the beautiful. Immunol Res, 58(2-3), 193-210. doi.org/10.1007/s12026-014-8517-0

McEwen, B. S., & Gianaros, P. J. (2010). Central role of the brain in stress and adaptation: links to socioeconomic status, health, and disease. Ann N Y Acad Sci, 1186, 190-222. doi.org/10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.05331.x

Schneiderman, N., Ironson, G., & Siegel, S. D. (2005). Stress and health: psychological, behavioral, and biological determinants. Annu Rev Clin Psychol, 1, 607-628. doi.org/10.1146/annurev.clinpsy.1.102803.144141

Sokary, S., Al-Asmakh, M., Zakaria, Z., & Bawadi, H. (2023). The therapeutic potential of matcha tea: A critical review on human and animal studies. Curr Res Food Sci, 6, 100396. doi.org/10.1016/j.crfs.2022.11.015

Unno, K., Taguchi, K., Matsuda, T., & Nakamura, Y. (2024). Stress-Relieving Effects of Green Tea Depend on the Ratio of Its Special Ingredients and the Infusion Conditions. Molecules, 29(19). doi.org/10.3390/molecules29194553

Valverde-Salazar, V., Ruiz-Gabarre, D., & Garcia-Escudero, V. (2023). Alzheimer’s Disease and Green Tea: Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate as a Modulator of Inflammation and Oxidative Stress. Antioxidants (Basel), 12(7). doi.org/10.3390/antiox12071460

 

Disclaimer

Professional Scope of Practice *

The information herein on "Unlocking the Potent Benefits of L-Theanine for Stress Reduction and Brain Health" is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.

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Our information scope is limited to Chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, contributing etiological viscerosomatic disturbances within clinical presentations, associated somatovisceral reflex clinical dynamics, subluxation complexes, sensitive health issues, and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions.

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Specialties: Stopping the PAIN! We Specialize in Treating Severe Sciatica, Neck-Back Pain, Whiplash, Headaches, Knee Injuries, Sports Injuries, Dizziness, Poor Sleep, Arthritis. We use advanced proven therapies focused on optimal Mobility, Posture Control, Deep Health Instruction, Integrative & Functional Medicine, Functional Fitness, Chronic Degenerative Disorder Treatment Protocols, and Structural Conditioning. We also integrate Wellness Nutrition, Wellness Detoxification Protocols and Functional Medicine for chronic musculoskeletal disorders. We use effective "Patient Focused Diet Plans", Specialized Chiropractic Techniques, Mobility-Agility Training, Cross-Fit Protocols, and the Premier "PUSH Functional Fitness System" to treat patients suffering from various injuries and health problems. Ultimately, I am here to serve my patients and community as a Chiropractor passionately restoring functional life and facilitating living through increased mobility. Purpose & Passions: I am a Doctor of Chiropractic specializing in progressive cutting-edge therapies and functional rehabilitation procedures focused on clinical physiology, total health, functional strength training, functional medicine, and complete conditioning. We focus on restoring normal body functions after neck, back, spinal and soft tissue injuries. We use Specialized Chiropractic Protocols, Wellness Programs, Functional & Integrative Nutrition, Agility & Mobility Fitness Training and Cross-Fit Rehabilitation Systems for all ages. As an extension to dynamic rehabilitation, we too offer our patients, disabled veterans, athletes, young and elder a diverse portfolio of strength equipment, high-performance exercises and advanced agility treatment options. We have teamed up with the cities' premier doctors, therapist and trainers in order to provide high-level competitive athletes the options to push themselves to their highest abilities within our facilities. We've been blessed to use our methods with thousands of El Pasoans over the last 3 decades allowing us to restore our patients' health and fitness while implementing researched non-surgical methods and functional wellness programs. Our programs are natural and use the body's ability to achieve specific measured goals, rather than introducing harmful chemicals, controversial hormone replacement, un-wanted surgeries, or addictive drugs. We want you to live a functional life that is fulfilled with more energy, a positive attitude, better sleep, and less pain. Our goal is to ultimately empower our patients to maintain the healthiest way of living. With a bit of work, we can achieve optimal health together, no matter the age, ability or disability.