Healthy Choices

We have so many natural options to maintain excellent health! From green teas to essential oils from most of our plants. Products of 2Cups Green Tea Hawaii are blends of green tea with a daily serving of the Polynesion superfruit, Noni. While green tea has a plethora of documentation for cardiovascular benefits, Noni has immense documentation for boosting immunity!  So much so that Noni has been used in the cancer world for decades to boost immunity and balance digestive issues. Noni also supports the brain and nervous system, with new data showing improvement in memory! Essential oils ARE the immune system of the plant, so every plant contains essential oil! How they make the plant thrive and help rid it of toxins and impurities are benefits for our bodily and environmental health improvement!

Excerpt from ‘L-Theanine: How a Unique Anxiety Reducer and Mood Enhancer Increases Alpha Waves and Alertness’

http://www.okinawateacompany.com/html/pdf/mood_3.pdf

by Carolyn Perrini, CLS, CNC

L-theanine is extremely safe. There are no dietary limits on L-theanine intake by the Japan Food Additive Association. In 1964, the Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare approved L-theanine for unlimited use in all foods, with the exception of infant foods.

The intended use of L-theanine is that of a mental and physical relaxant that does not induce drowsiness. Although there is no set schedule for taking L-theanine, it may generally be taken at the first signs of stress. Based on the results of the clinical studies, L-theanine is most effective in the range of 50-200 mg, with the effect being felt within 30 minutes and lasting for 8-10 hours. Individuals with high stress levels may increase their dosage of L-theanine to at least 100 mg, with no more than 600 mg being taken in a six hour period. FDA recommends a maximum dose of 1200 mg daily, although the reason for this limit is not clear, due to its demonstrated safety. There are no known adverse reactions to L-theanine and no drug interactions have been reported. L-theanine is not affected by food and may be taken anytime, as needed. Because it has a mild taste, capsules may be opened and dissolved in water. Although it is probably safe for pregnant women and nursing mothers, we discourage its use by them pending conclusive research.

Stress Relief
Stress and anxiety are debilitating conditions that upset the balance of our hormones leading to a loss of our well-being, performance, and even lifespan. Stress impairs the immune system, leaving us vulnerable to opportunistic infections, and can cause depression. In 1998, pharmaceutical sales of anti-anxiety drugs totaled over 700 million dollars, while sales of antidepressants totaled close to 5 billion dollars! People under stress can mitigate many of the harmful effects of stress with L-theanine without becoming sedated in the process. L-theanine doesn’t make one drowsy, nor does it promote sleep because this amino acid does not produce theta waves in the brain. It should be noted that if an individual were already relaxed, taking L-theanine would not produce further relaxation.

Status and Usage
L-theanine has just recently been introduced to the U.S. market. Japan is credited with most of the clinical studies and information we possess thus far on L-theanine but research is ongoing. We do know that it is absorbed from the small intestine via a sodium-coupled active transport process. It crosses the blood-brain barrier, as evidenced by the mental effects. L-theanine competes for absorption in the intestinal tract and the brain with the amino acids found in the methionine group (leucine, isoleucine, and valine), however the concentrations of amino acids are unchanged by simultaneous ingestion of L-theanine.

Conclusion
Research into L-theanine derived from the contradictory observation that green tea, with its high caffeine content, produces a very calming effect. The seemingly multi-dimensional reasons for this relaxation effect will continue to be studied. Current areas of ongoing research include using L-theanine as an alternative to Ritalin in children and adults, as a treatment for PMS, in controlling certain conditions of high blood pressure, in sharpening mental acuity and concentration, and as an anti-cancer agent alone and in synergy with other cancer-fighting agents. L-theanine may find another area of application for its use as a supplement in reducing the negative side effects of caffeine brought on by the over-consumption of coffee, soft drinks, or other caffeine-containing substances.

Many Essential oils like those from our citrus fruits and lavender have strong antidepressant properties bringing anxiety and stress relief.  Vanderbilt Hospital ER’s pilot study found at https://usingessentialoils.com/images/2014/06/Vanderbilt-Study-Article-Winter-2013.pdf  has spawned the use of essential oils in more than 800 hospitals nationwide. Research the many health benefits at our website  at www.mydoterra.com/986534.

The immune system for our fruits is found in the rind, so one can benefit by zesting the rind or including in smoothies or prepared dishes. All natural certified pure therapeutic grade (CPTG) essential oils are 50-70 times more powerful than the plant itself, so only 1-3 drops per application will affect a positive change, especially in stress and anxiety feelings in just a few minutes! Join one of our many interactive workshops around the Triangle found in our events list at https://www.facebook.com/2CupsGreenTeaHawaii/