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Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition

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Open Access 01-12-2016 | Research article

Safety of TeaCrine®, a non-habituating, naturally-occurring purine alkaloid over eight weeks of continuous use

Authors: Lem Taylor, Petey Mumford, Mike Roberts, Sara Hayward, Jacy Mullins, Stacie Urbina, Colin Wilborn

Published in: Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition | Issue 1/2016

Abstract

Background

Theacrine (1,3,7,9-tetramethyluric acid) is a purine alkaloid found in certain coffee (Coffea) species, fruits (Cupuacu [Theobroma grandiflorum]), and tea (Camellia assamica, var. kucha) that has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and neuro-locomotor properties. Recent preliminary research has also reported increased feelings of energy, reduced fatigue, and strong effects on improving focus, concentration, and motivation to exercise. The purpose of this study was to examine the safety and non-habituating effects of TeaCrine®, a nature-identical, chemically equivalent bioactive version of theacrine.

Methods

Sixty healthy men (mean ± SD age, height, weight: 22.9 ± 4.7 years, 183.5 ± 9.2 cm, 86.5 ± 13.7 kg) and women (22.3 ± 4.5 years, 165.2 ± 12.3 cm, 69.0 ± 17.4 kg) were placed into one of three groups: placebo (PLA, n = 20), 200 mg TeaCrine® (LD, n = 19) or 300 mg Teacrine® (HD, n = 21) and ingested their respective supplement once daily for 8 weeks. Primary outcomes were fasting clinical safety markers (heart rate, blood pressure, lipid profiles, hematologic blood counts, biomarkers of liver/kidney/immune function) and energy, focus, concentration, anxiety, motivation to exercise, and POMS measured prior to daily dosing to ascertain potential tachyphylactic responses and habituation effects. Data were analyzed via two-way (group × time) ANOVAs and statistical significance was accepted at p < 0.05.

Results

All values for clinical safety markers fell within normal limits and no group × time interactions were noted. No evidence of habituation was noted as baseline values for energy, focus, concentration, anxiety, motivation to exercise, and POMS remained stable in all groups across the 8-week study protocol.

Conclusions

These findings support the clinical safety and non-habituating neuro-energetic effects of TeaCrine® supplementation over 8 weeks of daily use (up to 300 mg/day). Moreover, there was no evidence of a tachyphylactic response that is typical of neuroactive agents such as caffeine and other stimulants.

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Title: Safety of TeaCrine®, a non-habituating, naturally-occurring purine alkaloid over eight weeks of continuous use
Authors: Lem Taylor
Petey Mumford
Mike Roberts
Sara Hayward
Jacy Mullins
Stacie Urbina
Colin Wilborn
Publication date: 01-12-2016
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition / Issue 1/2016
Electronic ISSN: 1550-2783
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-016-0113-3

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Safety of TeaCrine®, a non-habituating, naturally-occurring purine alkaloid over eight weeks of continuous use

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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