The main difference between L-theanine and L-tyrosine is that l- theanine’s structure has an amide group and an ethylamine group, whereas l- tyrosine has an aromatic ring and hydroxyl groups.
L-theanine and L- tyrosine are both amino acids that are naturally present in food and are available as dietary supplements.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is L-Theanine
– Definition, Structure, Effects
2. What is L-Tyrosine
– Definition, Structure, Effects
3. Similarities Between L-Theanine and L-Tyrosine
– Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between L-Theanine and L-Tyrosine
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
L-Theanine, L-Tyrosine, Gamma-glutamylethylamide, N-ethylglutamic Acid
What is L-Theanine
Theanine is an amino acid present in tea and some mushrooms. Gamma-glutamylethylamide and N-ethylglutamic acid are two other names for L-theanine. Moreover, theanine comes in two forms; the are L-theanine and D-theanine. L-theanine is the most common form. The molecular formula of L-theanine is C7H14N2O3. Its boiling point is 430.2°C, and its molar mass is 174.2 g/mol. It is a naturally occurring non-protein compound. Hence, L- theanine is not used as a building block to produce proteins. Furthermore, l-theanine is very much similar to glutamine. It sometimes acts like glutamine in the body.
Moreover, the human body does not produce this compound, and it is not an essential amino acid for humans. But, l-theanine is available as supplements, in pill, chewable, liquids, powder, and capsule forms.
Uses
L-theanine has many uses. Some of them include improving sleep quality, reducing cancer, lowering the risks of getting a stroke when there is no blood flow to the brain, and reducing anxiety. L-theanine may affect certain chemical levels of the brain, including dopamine and serotonin, which influence mood and emotion, and cortisol, which is a chemical that helps the body deal with stress. Disturbance of the balance of these chemicals causes a change in the mood and stress levels of people.
L-theanine also helps in increasing cognitive performance in people. The neuroprotective effects of L- theanine helps to improve brain function. Moreover, L-theanine combined with caffeine helps in the improvement of alertness and number skills. It also helps people to relax. This is achieved by reducing the heart rate of the person to a relaxing state. Adding green tea, which has L-theanine, to the diet helps in weight loss of people. Other benefits of L-theanine include boosting the immune system, reducing blood pressure, supporting certain cancer drugs, and improving sleep.
What is L-Tyrosine
L- tyrosine is a non-essential amino acid the body makes from an amino acid called phenylalanine. The molecule formula of L-Tyrosine is C9H11NO3. Its molar mass is 181.19 g/mol. Its solubility in water is 0. 0453 g/100 ml. Moreover, it is a type of amino acid which are a type of building block of proteins. L-Tyrosine is present in foods such as nuts, fish, eggs, meat, beans, and oats.
Uses
L-Tyrosine is used as a protein supplement to treat the inherited disease phenylketonuria. Other disease conditions that L-tyrosine can cure are alcohol use disorder and cocaine dependence. L-tyrosine is also used to make chemical messengers that are involved in conditions affecting the brain. Additionally, L-tyrosine supplementation may help alleviate acute stress-induced cognitive decline by restoring catecholamine levels in the brain. It does not seem to enhance the release of catecholamines when neurons are firing at their basal rates, but it does when firing rates are increased by stress.
Moreover, L-tyrosine helps make important substances that are needed by the body for its functions. Some examples are dopamine, adrenaline and noradrenaline, melanin, and thyroid hormones. Additionally, using supplements with L-tyrosine helps to increase the levels of neurotransmitters adrenaline, norepinephrine, and dopamine. This increase in neurotransmitters may cause improvements in memory, as well as the ability to deal with stressful conditions. Generally, the compound is safe for use, but it may cause side effects when interacting with other medicines.
Similarities Between L-Theanine and L-Tyrosine
- L-theanine and L-tyrosine are both amino acids.
- They also have various health benefits.
- They are naturally present in food and are also available as dietary supplements.
Difference Between L-Theanine and L-Tyrosine
Definition
L-Theanine is an amino acid present, especially in green tea, and used as a dietary supplement, while L-Tyrosine is a nonessential amino acid the body makes from phenylalanine.
Molecular Formula
The molecular formula of L-theanine is C7H14N2O3, while the molecule formula of L-Tyrosine is C9H11NO3.
Structure
L-theanine’s structure has an amide group and an ethylamine group, whereas l-tyrosine has an aromatic ring and hydroxyl groups.
Effects
L-theanine promotes relaxation and reduces stress levels by increasing alpha brain waves and serotonin levels in the brain. It also improves focus and attention and may have a positive effect on sleep. On the other hand, L-tyrosine increases the production of dopamine and norepinephrine, helps as a supplement to fight stress and fatigue, and improves alertness and cognitive performance.
Conclusion
L-theanine and L-tyrosine are both amino acids that are naturally found in food and are available as dietary supplements. The main difference between L-theanine and L-tyrosine is that L-theanine’s structure has an amide group and an ethylamine group, whereas L-tyrosine has an aromatic ring and hydroxyl groups.
Reference:
1. “L-Tyrosine.” Examine.
2. “Theanine – Uses, Side Effects, And More.” WebMD.
Image Courtesy:
1. “L-Tyrosine-3D-balls” By Jynto (talk) – created with Discovery Studio Visualizer (CC0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “L-Theanine” By Dominic Milton Trott (CC BY 2.0) via Flickr
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