L-Tyrosine and L-Theanine are two of Dr. Diamond’s favorite amino acids! They both work in the body to help you feel calm, relaxed, and focused. Here’s the scoop on these important amino acids!
L-Tyrosine is made in the body by another amino acid called L-Phenylalanine. Tyrosine is essential in the production of several important brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. These include epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine. Neurotransmitters are depleted under stressful conditions and sadly we all experience stress. Depleted neurotransmitters can negatively affect your reasoning, memory, attention, and focus. It can also affect mood.
Studies show that supplementing with Tyrosine can help replenish these important neurotransmitters and improve mental function and lower stress levels in the body. During times of emotional and physical stress, the body will require more tyrosine than in less stressful times. As a result, tyrosine supplementation is exceptional way to battle against stress. Tyrosine can also be helpful in regulating hormones and hormonal imbalances.
Some food sources for Tyrosine include soy products, poultry, fish, avocados, milk, cheese and yogurt. Like with most essential nutrients, aminos, etc., supplementation is an excellent way to assure optimal amounts in the body that are difficult to receive from your diet.
Like Tyrosine, L-Theanine is another impressive amino acid for mood, cognitive benefits, and brain activity. It’s mainly found in green and black tea, as well as some varieties of mushrooms, though the average person rarely gets enough in their diet without additional supplementation. Theanine is excellent for stress as it is shown to promote calmness and relaxation.
L-Theanine enhances the production of the neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin. During times of stress, mood regulating brain transmitters like GABA (another one of Dr. Diamond’s favorite stress fighting ingredients!!) can also become depleted. L-Theanine works to boost levels back to a healthy range.
While L-Theanine helps to balance the neurotransmitter system, it can assist with emotional well-being even during times of stress. Theanine also works to lower levels of excitatory transmitters that can amplify feelings of stress. A perfect example is how L-Theanine can prevent excess build-up of glutamate, a brain chemical linked to age-related cognitive disorders that can disturb the body’s stress response.
Theanine also enhances alpha brain waves. By increasing this activity in the brain, studies show the result can be improved focus and relaxation. Other benefits of L-Theanine include enhanced immune function, blood pressure management and better, more restful sleep. It has also been successfully studied for vascular health.
Healthy stress management and better cognitive performance might sound like totally different life goals, but they’re very closely connected. Have you ever felt so stressed that you can’t think clearly? This is a very common outcome of stress and both of these two important aminos – Theanine or Tyrosine could help you achieve more balance in a natural way to fight the inevitable stress in your life.