TREATMENT BRIEF: Theanine May Ease Symptoms
The substance in green and black teas that's gotten so much press in the last couple of years is called theanine. It's really been hyped and has spawned a bunch of new products making all kinds of claims about health benefits.
Beyond the hype, however, are proven benefits of theanine. It hasn't been studied specifically for fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, but it does a lot of things we need.
Theanine is also one of those somewhat rare food substances that crosses the blood-brain barrier, so you can get a therapeutic benefit from just a few cups of tea a day, or from supplements.
I started taking theanine last fall after reading that it boosts dopamine levels. I'd developed several dopamine-related symptoms, including a tremor, so I thought it was worth a try. For me, it's worked like a charm, and it's safe to increase the dosage when symptoms flare up.
Suggested Reading:
- Supplements for Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Your Diet for Managing Symptoms
- Treating Neurotransmitter Dysregulation
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Theanine may well be good for fibromyalgia but many of these patients are also taking SSRI’s which is purported to lead to dangerously elevated levels of serotonin. This may result in serotonin syndrome which can be lethal. See:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serotonin_syndrome So most fibromyalgia patients will need to check with their physician before they use theanine.