What is tyrosine? It is the question that we have recently received and that we will explain below along with its benefits and contraindications.
Tyrosine is one of the twenty standard amino acids found in the body that plays a role in the synthesis of certain proteins. While not one of the «essential» amino acids, it still has a number of vital functions in the body, often acting as a precursor to dopamine, epinephrine, norepinephrine, and thyroid hormones.
Studies are ongoing on the variety of effects this amino acid can have on the body, but it is clear that it can affect mood, working memory, stress hormone levels, and the production of hormones.
Your body can make this compound, which is often known as L-tyrosine, when you consume another amino acid, phenylalanine, which is converted to tyrosine. This is in addition to foods that naturally contain a high level of tyrosine. In most people, a sufficient amount of this amino acid is acquired within a normal diet, as it is commonly found in plant materials, as it plays a key role in photosynthesis.
However, depending on your specific health conditions and needs, your doctor may recommend a supplement of this amino acid to optimize your health.
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Tyrosine Benefits
The many benefits of l-tyrosine supplementation on the body include the following:
Relieve stress and depression
boost memory
treat ADD
Improve cognitive function
lower blood pressure
Improve thyroid function
We are going to discuss some of them in detail below.
Stress The reduction of stress it is essential for overall health, as it can reduce chronic inflammation and disease throughout the body. It is clearly shown that those who supplement with tyrosine have lower levels of stress hormone and more energy than those who are deficient in this amino acid.
memory function It has been shown in many studies that tyrosine can affect the level of neurotransmitters, as well as the ability of toxins to damage nerves. This means that your risk of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s, is significantly reduced. Ensuring proper neurotransmitter production keeps neural pathways open and functioning, protecting your memory.
cognitive function Tyrosine intake improves cognitive function during acute stressors such as cold, high altitude, and lack of sleep. It also improves creative thinking and the speed of switching between two tasks.
Thyroid gland As mentioned, this amino acid is a precursor to thyroxine, an important thyroid hormone. For people who suffer from hypothyroidismstimulating normal hormone production can mitigate some of the side effects of this common condition.
Blood pressure This amino acid is also beneficial in reducing diastolic blood pressure in situations of acute stress.
muscle communication The body’s ability to communicate effectively with different organ systems is what allows us to function on a daily basis. Tyrosine is essential for this constant communication of the nervous system, as well as the muscles of the body. For athletes and those trying to get quick results from their workouts, it is important to maximize muscle function, which this amino acid can do.
attention deficit disorders Research has found that having sufficient levels of this amino acid in the brain can help concentrate, which can control some of the worst symptoms of ADD. It is also a key part in the production of dopamine and epinephrine, two hormones that are often out of line with ADD sufferers.
Depression The critical role this amino acid plays in the production of neurotransmitters means it can have a measurable impact on mood and symptoms of depression. depression. By stimulating the production and release of dopamine, one of the «feel good» hormones, it can help eliminate the psychological torment of depression. The sedative effect this amino acid can have, in terms of stress hormones, can help people with insomnia achieve better sleep and even help regulate circadian rhythms.
Phenylketonuria (PKU) It is a birth defect that increases phenylalanine levels in people with (PKU). This also leads to lower tyrosine levels and affects the vital functions associated with it. Doctors recommend tyrosine supplementation to prevent levels from getting too low.
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Tyrosine Food Sources
If you want to improve your intake of this amino acid, you should increase certain foods in your diet, including the following:
Cheese
Milk
Fish
avocados
bananas
almonds
Soy
Chicken
Turkey
Pumpkin seeds
Eggs
Lentils
Wild rice
In the diet, the recommended amount of this amino acid is between 2.2 and 2.6 grams per day.
If you take this amino acid in supplement form, the recommended dose is between 2 and 20 grams per day, which should be divided into three different pieces and consumed with food. Additional supplements can help the body’s absorption of this amino acid, such as vitamin B6 or copperwhich can speed up its conversion into useful neurotransmitters.
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Tyrosine Side Effects
There are some side effects when there is an excessive amount of tyrosine in the body, such as the following complications:
hyperthyroidism
Graves’ disease
Pregnancy
This amino acid is used to make thyroxine, which is a thyroid hormone. For people who already have elevated thyroid levels or Grave’s disease, supplementation of this amino acid can worsen conditions.
Similarly, the effect this compound has on hormones makes it unpredictable for women who are pregnant or nursing and therefore should be avoided.
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