Can I take L-theanine if breastfeeding?

Understanding L-Theanine and Breastfeeding
L-theanine, an amino acid primarily found in green tea, has garnered attention for its potential benefits in reducing anxiety, improving cognition, and enhancing sleep quality. However, for breastfeeding mothers, the question of whether it is safe to consume L-theanine remains a topic of concern.
Safety Concerns
Current research on the safety of L-theanine during breastfeeding is limited. According to health experts, there is not enough reliable information to definitively state that L-theanine is safe for nursing mothers. As a precaution, many health professionals recommend avoiding its use while breastfeeding. This caution stems from the lack of comprehensive studies examining the effects of L-theanine on infants through breast milk.
The FDA has classified L-theanine as “generally recognized as safe” for the general population, but this classification does not extend to pregnant or breastfeeding women. The potential risks associated with its consumption during these periods are not well understood, leading to recommendations for caution.
Anecdotal Evidence and Community Insights
In various online forums, breastfeeding mothers have shared their experiences with L-theanine. Some report positive effects, such as reduced anxiety and improved mood, while others express hesitation due to conflicting information about its safety. This anecdotal evidence highlights the uncertainty many mothers feel when considering supplements during breastfeeding.
Expert Recommendations
Given the current landscape of information, the consensus among health professionals leans towards err on the side of caution. Experts suggest that limiting or avoiding L-theanine during breastfeeding is the most responsible choice for both mother and child. This approach is particularly important as the effects of L-theanine on infants are not well-documented, and the priority should always be the health and safety of the baby.
Conclusion
While L-theanine may offer benefits for anxiety and cognitive function, breastfeeding mothers should be cautious. The lack of definitive research on its safety during lactation suggests that it may be best to avoid this supplement until more information is available. If you’re considering L-theanine or any other supplement while breastfeeding, it’s advisable to consult with a healthcare provider to discuss your specific situation and any potential risks.

Can I use L-theanine while breastfeeding?

After taking advice from experts, the FDA classified L-theanine as “generally recognized as safe.” This classification means that they believe this additive to be safe when people use it as the packaging suggests. However, women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not use L-theanine.

What teas should be avoided during pregnancy?

Pregnant women should limit their consumption of herbal tea. Teas containing ginger, citrus peel, lemon balm, and rose hips probably are safe in moderation. Pregnant women should avoid teas containing chamomile, licorice, peppermint, or raspberry leaf.

Who should not take L-theanine?

The side effects of L-theanine are usually mild and uncommon. People who are pregnant or breastfeeding should be cautious when taking L-theanine, due to the limited research available for these groups.

Does L-theanine reduce anxiety?

Research shows that L-theanine supplements can elevate your levels of GABA, dopamine and serotonin, which promotes relaxation and reduces anxiety levels. A randomized trial from 2019 found that healthy adults who took L-theanine over the course of four weeks had a decrease in stress-related symptoms.

Is it safe to drink tea with L-theanine while pregnant?

You should avoid L-theanine when pregnant due to insufficient research regarding the safety of the compound on fetal development. Always consult your physician before ingesting any type of herbal supplement or tea during pregnancy.

Why do I feel weird after taking L-theanine?

Understand the side effects
Not many side effects have been recorded for L-theanine, but consuming a large amount of green tea may cause you to suffer from nausea or irritability. The caffeine content may also upset your stomach. If your body doesn’t react well to caffeine, you should consult your doctor first.

What supplements should I avoid while breastfeeding?

Dietary Supplements and Herbs to Avoid When Breastfeeding

• Answer: Certain herbals, high dose vitamins, and other dietary supplements can be dangerous to breastfed babies through breast milk.
• Aloe latex.
• Ashwagandha.
• Berberine/goldenseal.
• Bilberry.
• Black cohosh.
• Butterbur.
• Dong quai.

What effects does L-theanine have on hormones?

After being absorbed into the body, L-theanine can penetrate the blood-brain barrier and regulate the secretion of neurotransmitters of central nervous system cells [13] and levels of hormones such as corticosterone (CORT) and adrenaline (EPI) in the serum.

Is GABA or L-theanine better for anxiety?

Efficacy: Taking L-theanine for anxiety might be beneficial over GABA because L-theanine can promote relaxation without causing the drowsiness that GABA supplements tend to. Safety profile: L-theanine and GABA are both considered generally safe when used as directed.

How much caffeine is in tea with L-theanine?

Caffeine and L-theanine are pharmacologically important constituents of tea, especially due to their effects on the central nervous system. The effects of these two compounds are opposite: While caffeine is a well-known stimulant, theanine has a relaxing effect.