Product Image

AdultFocus

Advanced Nutrition by Zahler
4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
(48 ratings)
Theanine 125 mg
Deanol 100 mg
Product Image
Score76
A coherent daytime cognitive formula led by citicoline, phosphatidylserine, and theanine. Coffee fruit and DMAE add uncertainty, and the activating design is not a good sleep formula.
How scoring works
Quantity:60 Capsule(s) • (30 servings)
Goals:
Mental Focus
Productivity Boost
Brain Health
Cognitive Support
Stress Relief
Mood Support

Score 76

A coherent daytime cognitive formula led by citicoline, phosphatidylserine, and theanine. Coffee fruit and DMAE add uncertainty, and the activating design is not a good sleep formula.
How scoring works
$32.74($1.09 per serving)
iHerb
$ 0.00
Vitacost
$ 32.74
Report prices

Analysis

Citicoline and phosphatidylserine form a strong core for attention, memory signaling, and neuronal membrane support. L-theanine adds calm focus, while active folate, B12, and B6 support related nutrient pathways.

Coffee fruit and DMAE broaden the cognitive emphasis but have less dependable roles than the core stack. The 100 mg DMAE bitartrate amount also does not reveal the exact active DMAE yield.

Every listed active has an individual amount, keeping the compact formula easier to assess than an opaque nootropic blend. Its focus-oriented ingredients may be useful during the day but can be poorly timed near bedtime.

Who is it for
  • Adults seeking non-caffeine-centered daytime focus support
  • People wanting citicoline with phosphatidylserine
  • Users who prefer individually disclosed nootropic amounts
Best for
  • Mental focus
  • Productive daytime work
  • Calm cognitive support

Pros

  • Provides 250 mg citicoline
  • Includes 100 mg phosphatidylserine
  • Supplies 125 mg L-theanine
  • Uses active folate and B12 forms
  • Discloses each active amount

Cons

  • DMAE active yield is not stated
  • Coffee-fruit active compounds are not quantified
  • Formula is poorly aligned with bedtime use
  • Does not provide a broad long-term brain-health foundation

Warnings

  • The 20 mg vitamin B6 amount can add up when combined with other B6 products; prolonged high total intake may cause tingling or nerve symptoms.
  • Citicoline, coffee fruit, and DMAE may feel activating, so taking the formula late in the day could interfere with sleep in sensitive users.
  • DMAE can cause headache, muscle tension, or insomnia in some users; stop and reassess if those effects appear.

Nutrient quality

80 Highest impact

Several active vitamin forms and meaningful cognitive ingredients support formula quality. DMAE yield uncertainty, less established coffee-fruit value, and a substantial vitamin B6 amount are the main limitations.

.

Ingredient transparency

76 High impact

Every listed active has an individual amount and no proprietary blend obscures the formula. DMAE active yield, coffee-fruit marker content, other ingredients, and complete directions remain unclear.

.

Customer satisfaction

69 High impact

The supplied satisfaction average is strong and has moderate supporting volume. No specific experience details are provided to assess repeated complaints or alignment with the intended use.

.

Value for money

76 High impact

A well-dosed cognitive core provides credible value despite a premium serving cost. Less certain coffee-fruit and DMAE additions keep the formula from leading the category on efficiency.

.
Report analysis

Goals

Mental Focus
Mental Focus
Impact
Highest effect
A+ Goal FitA Strength of SupportA CoverageA+ Formula Quality
Folate · 340 mcg DFEVitamin B6 · 20 mgVitamin B12 · 120 mcgTheanine · 125 mg

Citicoline, L-theanine, phosphatidylserine, coffee fruit, and B vitamins form a focused cognitive formula. The combination supports cholinergic signaling, calm attention, memory, and mental energy with meaningful disclosed amounts.

The formula avoids a large kitchen-sink blend and uses recognized citicoline and phosphatidylserine ingredients. DMAE has less reliable evidence than the core actives but does not dominate the design.

Study evidence
Theanine Supportive 19 studies
Productivity Boost
Productivity Boost
Impact
Highest effect
A Goal FitA Strength of SupportA- CoverageA- Formula Quality
Vitamin B12 · 120 mcgVitamin B12 · 120 mcgVitamin B6 · 20 mgTheanine · 125 mg

Citicoline, L-theanine, phosphatidylserine, active B vitamins, and coffee fruit form a well-targeted focus formula. The stack supports attention, membrane function, and calm mental energy without relying on a large stimulant dose.

Core active amounts are individually disclosed and generally align with practical use. The precise coffee-fruit actives are not stated, but the formula remains balanced and coherent.

Study evidence
Theanine Supportive 5 studies
Brain Health
Brain Health
Impact
Highest effect
A- Goal FitA- Strength of SupportA- CoverageA Formula Quality
Folate · 340 mcg DFEVitamin B12 · 120 mcgVitamin B6 · 20 mg

Citicoline, phosphatidylserine, L-theanine, and active B vitamins form a focused cognitive formula. The combination addresses attention, membrane support, calm, and neurotransmitter metabolism without excessive complexity.

The key actives are supplied at useful amounts and several have well-characterized forms. Coffee fruit and DMAE add some uncertainty, but the core stack remains transparent and coherent.

Study evidence
Theanine Supportive 17 studies
Cognitive Support
Cognitive Support
Impact
Highest effect
A- Goal FitA- Strength of SupportB+ CoverageA- Formula Quality
Vitamin B6 · 20 mgFolate · 340 mcg DFEVitamin B12 · 120 mcgTheanine · 125 mg

Citicoline, phosphatidylserine, and L-theanine create a strong core for memory signaling and calm attention. Active B vitamins add foundational neurotransmitter support, while coffee fruit and DMAE are less certain contributors.

The main cognitive actives reach useful amounts and are clearly separated on the label. The short stack is coherent and avoids the excessive crowding seen in many nootropic blends.

Study evidence
Deanol No effect 2 studies
Theanine Supportive 25 studies
Stress Relief
Stress Relief
Impact
High effect
B Goal FitA- Strength of SupportB- CoverageC+ Formula Quality
Folate · 340 mcg DFEVitamin B12 · 120 mcgVitamin B6 · 20 mgTheanine · 125 mg

L-theanine provides a well-targeted calming component within a focus formula. Phosphatidylserine and active B vitamins add some support for coping with mental strain.

The exact amounts are clearly disclosed and the key calming ingredient is appropriately dosed. Coffee fruit and the strong cognitive emphasis make the formula less purely calming than a dedicated stress product.

Study evidence
Theanine Supportive 16 studies
Mood Support
Mood Support
Impact
High effect
C+ Goal FitB+ Strength of SupportB- CoverageB+ Formula Quality
Folate · 340 mcg DFEVitamin B6 · 20 mgVitamin B12 · 120 mcg

L-theanine, methylfolate, methylcobalamin, citicoline, and phosphatidylserine offer a calm-focus foundation with secondary mood relevance. L-theanine at 125 mg is well aligned, and the cited citicoline and phosphatidylserine amounts add useful cognitive support.

The formula covers calm attention, methylation cofactors, and neuronal membrane support but not direct stress adaptation. Theanine is paired logically with non-stimulant cognitive and methylation support.

Study evidence
Theanine Supportive 12 studies
Sleep Support
Sleep Support
Impact
Moderate effect
D- Goal FitB+ Strength of SupportD CoverageF Formula Quality
Theanine · 125 mg

Theanine offers a useful calming amount, but the rest of the formula targets daytime focus and cognitive performance. Citicoline, coffee fruit, and dimethylaminoethanol may be poorly timed near bedtime.

No circadian hormone, calming mineral, or sleep-specific sedative is present. The single relaxing ingredient cannot overcome the activating design.

Study evidence
Theanine Supportive 8 studies

Ingredients

IngredientAmount per serving
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxal 5-Phosphate)
 20 mg
Folate (BioFolate)
 340 mcg DFE
Vitamin B12 (Methylcobalamin)
 120 mcg
Citicoline
250 mg
L-Theanine
125 mg
Coffee fruit extract
100 mg
Sharp-PS Green (Phosphatidylserine)
 100 mg
Dimethylaminoethanol (Dimethylaminoethanol Bitartrate)
 100 mg
Gluten Free Adults 18–50 Kosher Dairy Free Vegetarian
Report overview
Theanine · 125 mg OverallScore82
B+ Active Ingredient Quality & BioavailabilityA+ Dose, Safety & Label TransparencyD+ Value

Explicit L-theanine identity confirms the active isomer, but no branded source or purity testing is shown. The clearly disclosed amount falls within the optimal range for calm and focused support. Clinically dosed citicoline and phosphatidylserine partly offset the high theanine-specific cost.

View ingredientView products
Deanol (Dimethylaminoethanol Bitartrate) · 100 mg OverallScore55
B- Active Ingredient Quality & BioavailabilityC Dose, Safety & Label TransparencyF Value

The bitartrate form is clearly named, but only the total salt weight is shown rather than the active Deanol yield. The estimated 37 mg active amount is modest but useful within a broader formula. Even with clear serving instructions, no Deanol-specific safety warning appears in the supplied label data, and cost efficiency is poor for the Deanol delivered.

View ingredientView products
Loading alternative details
87 Performance

L-Theanine 200 mg Double Strength

Swanson
<p>Branded Suntheanine is supplied at a substantial amount that suits calm attention and relaxation. Compared with the original, the more focused ingredient choice reduces formula clutter, although cognitive coverage is narrower.</p>
85 Performance

L-Theanine 150 mg

Solgar
<p>A useful Suntheanine amount combines meaningful calm-focus support with strong ingredient identity. Compared with the original, the more focused ingredient choice reduces formula clutter, although cognitive coverage is narrower.</p>
73 Performance

Adult-Active

Natures Plus
<p>Phosphatidylserine, DMAE, and standardized ginkgo create a coherent adult cognitive blend. Compared with the original, the more focused ingredient choice reduces formula clutter, although cognitive coverage is narrower.</p>
87 Budget

L-Theanine 100 mg

California Gold Nutrition
<p>AlphaWave L-theanine provides a clearly disclosed 100 mg amount suited to calm focus and relaxation. Its lower serving cost and simpler label improve affordability and clarity, although it does not reproduce the original citicoline and phosphatidylserine blend.</p>
85 Budget

Double Strength L-Theanine 200 mg

NOW
<p>A meaningful L-theanine amount supports calm focus, relaxation, and stress-related concentration. Its lower serving cost and simpler label improve affordability and clarity, although it does not reproduce the original citicoline and phosphatidylserine blend.</p>
84 Budget

DMAE 351 mg

Source Naturals
<p>A clearly disclosed active DMAE amount provides a focused cognitive-support serving. Its lower serving cost and simpler label improve affordability and clarity, although it does not reproduce the original citicoline and phosphatidylserine blend.</p>
85 Value

L-Theanine 200 mg

California Gold Nutrition
<p>L-theanine is a defined amino acid, although no branded source or purity marker is supplied. The targeted active and lower serving cost create a cleaner value trade-off than the original, although the broader cognitive blend is lost.</p>
84 Value

DMAE (Dimethylaminoethanol) 250 mg

NOW
<p>A focused DMAE bitartrate serving provides an appropriate estimated amount of active DMAE. The targeted active and lower serving cost create a cleaner value trade-off than the original, although the broader cognitive blend is lost.</p>
84 Value

DMAE 351 mg

Source Naturals
<p>A clearly disclosed active DMAE amount provides a focused cognitive-support serving. The targeted active and lower serving cost create a cleaner value trade-off than the original, although the broader cognitive blend is lost.</p>
Report alternatives

Sources

Published studies used for the product analysis and the top-ranked studies for each ingredient and goal.

  1. Assessing the effects of caffeine and theanine on the maintenance of vigilance during a sustained attention task.
    Foxe JJ; Morie KP; Laud PJ; Rowson MJ; de Bruin EA; Kelly SP · Neuropharmacology · 2012
    Randomized trial27 participantsCognitive Support Brain Health forTheanine
  2. Effect of L-theanine on selective attention in a traffic-related reaction task in sleep-deprived young adults: a double-blind placebo-controlled, crossover study.
    Karunaratne UW; Dassanayake TL · Nutritional neuroscience · 2025
    Randomized trial24 participantsMental Focus forTheanine
  3. L-theanine relieves positive, activation, and anxiety symptoms in patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder: an 8-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 2-center study.
    Ritsner MS; Miodownik C; Ratner Y; Shleifer T; Mar M; Pintov L; Lerner V · The Journal of clinical psychiatry · 2011
    Randomized trial60 participantsStress Relief Mood Support forTheanine
  4. Promising, but Not Completely Conclusive-The Effect of l-Theanine on Cognitive Performance Based on the Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trials.
    Mátyus RO; Szikora Z; Bodó D; Vargáné Szabó B; Csupor É; Csupor D; Tóth B · Journal of clinical medicine · 2025
    Meta-analysis148 participants5 studies pooledCognitive Support forTheanine
  5. L-theanine in the adjunctive treatment of generalized anxiety disorder: A double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial.
    Sarris J; Byrne GJ; Cribb L; Oliver G; Murphy J; Macdonald P; Nazareth S; Karamacoska D; Galea S; Short A; Ee C; Birling Y; Menon R; Ng CH · Journal of psychiatric research · 2020
    Randomized trial46 participantsStress Relief Sleep Support forTheanine
  6. Effect of Combined Ingestion of L-Theanine and L-Arginine for Short-Term Psychological Stress in Young Adults: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Study.
    Furushima D; Sugiyama I; Nomura Y; Unno K; Yamada H · Journal of nutritional science and vitaminology · 2023
    Randomized trial120 participantsStress Relief forTheanine
  7. Senile dementia: treatment with deanol.
    Ferris SH; Sathananthan G; Gershon S; Clark C · Journal of the American Geriatrics Society · 1977
    Single-arm trial14 participantsCognitive Support forDeanol
  8. Dose-response effect of L-theanine on psychomotor speed, sustained attention, and inhibitory control: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study.
    Dassanayake TL; Wijesundara D; Kahathuduwa CN; Weerasinghe VS · Nutritional neuroscience · 2023
    Randomized trial32 participantsMental Focus Cognitive Support forTheanine
  9. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluating the effects of caffeine and L-theanine both alone and in combination on cerebral blood flow, cognition and mood.
    Dodd FL; Kennedy DO; Riby LM; Haskell-Ramsay CF · Psychopharmacology · 2016
    Randomized trial24 participantsCognitive Support Mental Focus forTheanine
  10. Time for tea: mood, blood pressure and cognitive performance effects of caffeine and theanine administered alone and together.
    Rogers PJ; Smith JE; Heatherley SV; Pleydell-Pearce CW · Psychopharmacology · 2008
    Randomized trial48 participantsMental Focus Cognitive Support Productivity Boost forTheanine
  11. Effects of L-Theanine Administration on Stress-Related Symptoms and Cognitive Functions in Healthy Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
    Hidese S; Ogawa S; Ota M; Ishida I; Yasukawa Z; Ozeki M; Kunugi H · Nutrients · 2020
    Randomized trial30 participantsBrain Health Cognitive Support Sleep Support forTheanine
  12. A Randomized, Triple-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Study to Investigate the Efficacy of a Single Dose of AlphaWave® L-Theanine on Stress in a Healthy Adult Population.
    Evans M; McDonald AC; Xiong L; Crowley DC; Guthrie N · Neurology and therapy · 2021
    Randomized trialBrain Health Stress Relief forTheanine
  13. Effects of Tea (Camellia sinensis) or its Bioactive Compounds l-Theanine or l-Theanine plus Caffeine on Cognition, Sleep, and Mood in Healthy Participants: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
    Payne ER; Aceves-Martins M; Dubost J; Greyling A; de Roos B · Nutrition reviews · 2025
    Meta-analysis50 studies pooledBrain Health Cognitive Support Mental Focus forTheanine
  14. Effects of l-Theanine on Cognitive Function in Middle-Aged and Older Subjects: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Study.
    Baba Y; Inagaki S; Nakagawa S; Kaneko T; Kobayashi M; Takihara T · Journal of medicinal food · 2021
    Randomized trialBrain Health Mental Focus Productivity Boost forTheanine
  15. Effects of dimethylaminoethanol pyroglutamate (DMAE p-Glu) against memory deficits induced by scopolamine: evidence from preclinical and clinical studies.
    Blin O; Audebert C; Pitel S; Kaladjian A; Casse-Perrot C; Zaim M; Micallef J; Tisne-Versailles J; Sokoloff P; Chopin P; Marien M · Psychopharmacology · 2010
    Randomized trial24 participantsCognitive Support forDeanol
  16. Acute effects of theanine, caffeine and theanine-caffeine combination on attention.
    Kahathuduwa CN; Dassanayake TL; Amarakoon AMT; Weerasinghe VS · Nutritional neuroscience · 2018
    Clinical trial20 participantsCognitive Support Mental Focus forTheanine
  17. Safety and Efficacy of AlphaWave® L-Theanine Supplementation for 28 Days in Healthy Adults with Moderate Stress: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.
    Moulin M; Crowley DC; Xiong L; Guthrie N; Lewis ED · Neurology and therapy · 2024
    Randomized trial30 participantsMental Focus Productivity Boost Stress Relief forTheanine
  18. l-theanine adjunct to sertraline for major depressive disorder: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.
    Shamabadi A; Kafi F; Arab Bafrani M; Asadigandomani H; A Basti F; Akhondzadeh S · Journal of affective disorders · 2023
    Randomized trial60 participantsMood Support forTheanine
  19. The Effects of Green Tea Amino Acid L-Theanine Consumption on the Ability to Manage Stress and Anxiety Levels: a Systematic Review.
    Williams JL; Everett JM; D'Cunha NM; Sergi D; Georgousopoulou EN; Keegan RJ; McKune AJ; Mellor DD; Anstice N; Naumovski N · Plant foods for human nutrition (Dordrecht, Netherlands) · 2020
    Systematic review9 studies pooledMood Support forTheanine
  20. Comparison of the effects of two amino acids, Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and L-theanine, on sedation, anxiety, and cognition in preoperative surgical patients - A randomized controlled study.
    Deshpande SS; Kurdi M; Baiju A; Athira AS; Sarasamma AG; Gangadharan AK · Journal of anaesthesiology, clinical pharmacology · 2025
    Randomized trial168 participantsMood Support Stress Relief forTheanine
  21. Anti-stress effect of theanine on students during pharmacy practice: positive correlation among salivary α-amylase activity, trait anxiety and subjective stress.
    Unno K; Tanida N; Ishii N; Yamamoto H; Iguchi K; Hoshino M; Takeda A; Ozawa H; Ohkubo T; Juneja LR; Yamada H · Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior · 2014
    Randomized trial20 participantsMood Support forTheanine
  22. Cognitive and affective effects of L-Theanine: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 31 randomized trials.
    Gerolymos C; Saddier E; Boyer L; Fond G · Molecular psychiatry · 2026
    Meta-analysis1,168 participants31 studies pooledProductivity Boost forTheanine
  23. Effects of L-theanine on cognition, mood and sleep: evidence from human trials.
    Cotter J; Kilpatrick HE · Frontiers in nutrition · 2026
    Narrative reviewProductivity Boost forTheanine
  24. Comparison Between Efficacy of Oral Melatonin and Oral L-theanine in Improving Sleep in Cancer Patients Suffering From Insomnia: A Randomised Double-blinded Placebo-controlled Study.
    Kurdi MS; As A; Ladhad DA; Mitragotri MV; Baiju A · Indian journal of palliative care · 2024
    Randomized trial120 participantsSleep Support forTheanine
  25. The effects of L-theanine consumption on sleep outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
    Bulman A; D'Cunha NM; Marx W; Turner M; McKune A; Naumovski N · Sleep medicine reviews · 2025
    Meta-analysis897 participants19 studies pooledSleep Support forTheanine
  26. In Search of a Safe Natural Sleep Aid.
    Rao TP; Ozeki M; Juneja LR · Journal of the American College of Nutrition · 2016
    Narrative reviewSleep Support forTheanine
  27. Anti-Stress, Behavioural and Magnetoencephalography Effects of an L-Theanine-Based Nutrient Drink: A Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Trial.
    White DJ; de Klerk S; Woods W; Gondalia S; Noonan C; Scholey AB · Nutrients · 2016
    Randomized trial34 participantsStress Relief forTheanine