Pain Doctor: No Need to Suffer. Pain Center of Orlando

Useful Sleep Aid- l-Theanine

Treating Insomnia with Theanine

Theanine  (l-theanine) is an amino acid found in tea leaves.  In addition to providing benefits as an anti-oxidant, theanine is useful in sleep induction, as well.

L-Theanine provides an interesting combination of salutary benefits.  It acts as a non-sedating relaxant by enhancing alpha wave production in the brain. It improves mental focus during wakeful hours, yet it enhances sleep quality.  The alpha-wave enhancing effect is very useful for students, promoting concentration, yet it does not cause sleep disturbances that result from the use of caffeine and amphetamines. The effective dosage range of L-Theanine ranges between 50 and 200 mg, or more, per day.

While 3 or 4 cups of tea would be expected to contain 100-200mg of l-theanine, this same volume of tea contains a great deal of caffeine.  The caffeine itself will improve concentration, but headache can occur as the caffeine wears off, and sleep disorders are common with caffeine ingestion. Decaffeinated tea would be a good choice, but the decaffeinating process destroys the L-theanine.

After ingestion of capsular or tablet forms of l-theanine, blood levels will  reach maximum peak blood levels in about 30 mins, and peak  in 2-4 hours. For maximal effect, it is best taken in the morning to enhance concentration, and immediately before bed to enhance sleep.

I have my patients use one of our Green Tea Extract Capsules at bed time, combined with a melatonin 3 mg tablet.  This is a very gentle approach to sleep induction, and it is a good place to start. If needed, the melatonin can be increased to 9 mg. 

 

In patients with anxiety and/or depression, the addition of 5-HTP can be added.   We use a product that is called “Snokker™,” which combines the 5-HTP and l-theanine in an affordable, single tablet. Adding melatonin to the Snokker™ makes it very, very potent as a sleep inducer. 

 

Recommended Products:

 

http://www.stages-of-life.com/Store/catalog.aspx?cid=8&c=Sleep

 

 

1. Green Tea Extract Capsules 400 mg #100 per bottle. ($11.95)
2. Snokker™ 200 mg L-theanine, 200 mg 5-HTP #30 per bottle. ($29.95)
3. Melatonin 3 mg #90 per bottle. ($16.79)

Melatonin- Sleep and much more

Sleep Disorder is remarkably common.  For a general idea as to how prevalent this problem might be, simply watch television and count the number of commercials that pop up for prescription sleep medications.

The Problems:

1. Sleep Dysfunction or insomnia is a symptom, not a primary disease state.
2. Without sorting through WHY a person has difficulty sleeping, it is impossible to correct the underlying problem.
3. Taking a medication that is 'new to nature' rarely corrects any underlying problem. That is, a medication that is formulated from chemicals that are not native to the organism (human, in this case) cannot by nature correct an imbalance.  Only restoration of the missing piece, chemical or nutrient will restore proper balance.
4. It is unclear, in most cases, which chemical is out of balance or inadequate.

My approach to correcting sleep problems begins with teaching correct sleep habits, but it includes interventions such as L-Theanine, Melatonin, SAMe and colostrum.  I will use 5-HTP, as well, if the clinical situation is appropriate.

I will take each of these interventions, in turn.

dsk

www.stages-of-life.com  Pharmaceutical Grade Vitamins, Minerals, Herbal Supplements

Sleep Dysfunction

Sleep Dysfunction: a silent epidemic

Insomnia is a sleep disorder that is characterized by difficulty falling and/or staying asleep. People with insomnia have one or more of the following symptoms:

   

• Early Insomnia:  Difficulty falling asleep
• Mid-Insomnia:  Waking up often during the night and having trouble going back to sleep
• Late-Insomnia: Waking up too early in the morning
• Functional Insomnia:  Feeling tired upon waking

Primary insomnia is defined as sleep difficulty unrelated to a recognized  health condition or problem.

Secondary insomnia is defined as sleep difficulty related or resulting from another medical condition or problem, such as asthma, pain,  depression, arthritis, cancer, or heartburn.  Medication side effects and certain foods/beverages can cause secondary insomnia.        

Insomnia  can be short-term (acute insomnia) or can persist (chronic insomnia). Insomnia can be intermittent, as well

Insomnia is diagnosed as 'chronic' when it occurs for  least three nights a week, and persists for a month or longer.

I will be posting suggestions for non-prescription diagnosis and treatment for this rather common disorder.