What Is L-Theanine?Updated 26 minutes ago
L-Theanine is an amino acid that occurs naturally in the tea plant, Camellia sinensis, and in a small number of mushrooms. It was first identified in green tea in 1949. Codeage L-Theanine+ is a single-active formula, so L-Theanine is declared by name and amount on the Supplement Facts panel, not inside a blend.
What kind of molecule is L-Theanine?
L-Theanine is an amino acid, one of the small molecules the body and plants use as building blocks. It belongs to a group called non-proteinogenic amino acids, meaning it is not one of the amino acids used to build proteins.
Chemically, it is known as N5-ethyl-L-glutamine, and also as γ-glutamylethylamide. It is structurally similar to two amino acids found throughout the body, glutamic acid and glutamine. One way to picture it is glutamine with an ethyl group, a small two-carbon chain, attached to its side.
What does the “L” in L-Theanine mean?
Many amino acids exist in two mirror-image forms, called L and D, in the same way a left and a right hand mirror each other. The “L” refers to the form that is found in freshly prepared tea. It is the form named on the Codeage L-Theanine+ label.
Where does L-Theanine come from?
The main natural source is the tea plant. L-Theanine makes up roughly 1 to 2 percent of the dry weight of green tea leaves. It has also been found in a mushroom called Xerocomus badius, commonly known as the bay bolete. L-Theanine used in supplements can be isolated from tea or produced in a laboratory setting.
When was L-Theanine discovered?
L-Theanine was identified as a constituent of green tea in 1949, in a publication by Y. Sakato. In 1950, a laboratory in Kyoto isolated it from gyokuro, a shade-grown Japanese green tea. Since then, it has been the subject of ongoing scientific research, and the literature on it continues to evolve.
What does “single-active formula” mean?
An active ingredient is the named ingredient a supplement is formulated around. In a single-active formula, there is only one. Codeage L-Theanine+ carries L-Theanine alone, declared by name and amount on the panel, so you can see exactly what you are getting. For the current amount, please refer to the product label or page.
Where can I learn more?
- The scientific literature includes a review of L-Theanine’s properties, synthesis, and isolation from tea in L-Theanine: properties, synthesis and isolation from tea*.
- How Do I Take Codeage L-Theanine+? Can I Take It With Food?
- Does Codeage L-Theanine+ contain caffeine?
*Studies referenced were conducted independently and did not involve any specific Codeage product.
Codeage formulas are developed with care and may be subject to adjustments over time. We recommend checking the current product label or page for the most up-to-date ingredient and formulation information.
If you have questions about Codeage, any formula, or how to use our products, you can reach us through the live chat on the bottom-right corner of our website or by emailing [email protected]. You may also contact us on WhatsApp.