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Tyrosine

Overview

Tyrosine is an amino acid. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. The body makes tyrosine from another amino acid called phenylalanine. Tyrosine can also be found in dairy products, meats, fish, eggs, nuts, beans, oats, and wheat.

Tyrosine is most commonly used in protein supplements to treat an inherited disorder called phenylketonuria (PKU). People who have this disorder can't process phenylalanine properly. As a result they can't make tyrosine. To meet their bodies' needs, supplemental tyrosine is given.

Tyrosine is also commonly used to improve learning, memory, and alertness, especially during stressful situations.

Classification

Is a Form of:

Amino Acid

Primary Functions:

To treat an inherited disorder called Phenylketonuria (PKU)

Also Known As:

2-Acetylamino-3-(4-Hydroxyphenyl)-Propanoic Acid, Acetyl-L-Tyrosine, Acétyl-L-Tyrosine

How Does It Work?

The body uses tyrosine to make chemical messengers that are involved in conditions involving the brain such as mental alertness.

Uses

Phenylketonuria (PKU). People with PKU are not able to process the amino acid phenylalanine. This amino acid is used by the body to make tyrosine. Because of this, people with PKU can have low levels of tyrosine in the body. To prevent tyrosine levels from becoming too low, people with PKU are advised to consume medical foods containing tyrosine but very little phenylalanine. Tyrosine levels in the blood are regularly measured by physicians.

  • Mental performance. Research shows that taking tyrosine improves mental performance under stressful conditions These include cold-induced stress or noise-induced stress.
  • Memory. Research shows that taking tyrosine improves memory during stressful conditions. These include cold-induced stress or multi-tasking. Tyrosine does not seem to improve memory during less stressful situations.
  • Improving alertness following the loss of sleep. Taking tyrosine helps people who have lost a night's sleep stay alert for about 3 hours longer than they otherwise would. Also, early research shows that tyrosine improves memory and reasoning in people who are sleep-deprived.

Recommended Dosing

The following doses have been studied in scientific research:

BY MOUTH:

  • For mental performance: A single dose of 100-300 mg/kg of tyrosine has been taken before a stressful mental task.
  • For memory: 150-300 mg/kg of tyrosine has been used before a memory task.
  • For improving alertness following the loss of sleep: 150 mg/kg of tyrosine in a split dose has been used.
  • For PKU: Foods and medical foods providing 4-6 grams of tyrosine daily are recommended. Women with PKU who are pregnant or breastfeeding are advised to consume foods providing 6-7.6 grams of tyrosine daily. A doctor will measure tyrosine levels in the blood to make sure they don't become too high or too low. For most people with PKU, additional separate supplementation with free tyrosine is not recommended. It can cause wide variations in the amount of tyrosine in the blood. This could cause unwanted side effects.

Tyrosine Supplements Frequently Asked Questions

What is the supplement L Tyrosine used for?

L-Tyrosine is given as a supplement to increase L-Tyrosine levels in people with PKU. L-Tyrosine has been used in alternative medicine as a possibly effective aid in improving mental performance, alertness, or memory. L-Tyrosine has also been used to treat depression or attention deficit disorder (ADD or ADHD).

When should I take tyrosine supplement?

Take tyrosine supplements at least 30 minutes before meals, divided into 3 daily doses. Taking vitamins B6, B9 (folate), and copper along with tyrosine helps the body convert tyrosine into important brain chemicals.

Does tyrosine increase dopamine?

One amino acid called tyrosine plays a critical role in the production of dopamine. Studies show that increasing the amount of tyrosine and phenylalanine in the diet can increase dopamine levels in the brain, which may promote deep thinking and improve memory ( 7 , 9 , 10 ).

Can you take L Tyrosine everyday?

It has been supplemented safely at a dose of 68 mg per pound (150 mg per kg) of body weight per day for up to three months (15, 29 , 30 ). While tyrosine is safe for most people, it can cause side effects and interact with medications.

How does L Tyrosine make you feel?

The amazing thing I noticed about tyrosine is that it gives you energy, but a calm energy. Your body and mind are energized and revived but at the same time calm and focused. You're cool, calm, alert and energized on it.

Is L Tyrosine good for anxiety?

Tyrosine is said to improve mood. It may help treat depression, anxiety, narcolepsy, and insomnia. It may help suppress appetite and reduce body fat. It may prompt the release of human growth hormone (HGH).

What is L Tyrosine 500 mg used for?

L-Tyrosine is given as a supplement to increase L-Tyrosine levels in people with PKU. L-Tyrosine has been used in alternative medicine as a possibly effective aid in improving mental performance, alertness, or memory. L-Tyrosine has also been used to treat depression or attention deficit disorder (ADD or ADHD).

hould I take tyrosine with 5htp?

Some people may suggest taking 5-HTP along with a supplement that increases the amount of dopamine in the body, such as l-tyrosine or l-dopa. Other potential side effects of taking 5-HTP supplements include: diarrhea.

Can you take too much L Tyrosine?

It is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by adults as a medicine, short-term, or when applied to the skin. Tyrosine seems to be safe when taken by mouth in doses up to 150 mg/kg per day for up to 3 months. Some people experience side effects such as nausea, headache, fatigue, and heartburn.

Can I take L Tyrosine at night?

L-tyrosine is best taken without food. Because it can be stimulating, especially when used in large amounts, it should not be taken in the evening. As is the case when supplementing with any individual amino acid, it's possible to upset the balance by taking just one.

Does tyrosine give you energy?

Tyrosine helps regulate your thyroid and adrenal hormones, restores norepinephrine levels and it also, very importantly, increases dopamine production. The amazing thing I noticed about tyrosine is that it gives you energy, but a calm energy.

What is L Tyrosine side effects?

Side Effects & Safety

Tyrosine seems to be safe when taken by mouth in doses up to 150 mg/kg per day for up to 3 months. Some people experience side effects such as nausea, headache, fatigue, and heartburn.

Does tyrosine cause weight gain?

Since it is a precursor to substances like epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine, L-tyrosine may be a good supplement choice for those trying to lose weight because, theoretically, it may help speed metabolism. There are no studies specifically showing that L-tyrosine helps to promote weight loss.

Does L Tyrosine affect thyroid?

L-tyrosine.

The thyroid gland combines tyrosine and iodine to make thyroid hormone. If you are taking prescription thyroid hormone medication, you should only take L-tyrosine under the direction of your doctor. DO NOT take L-tyrosine if you have high blood pressure or have symptoms of mania.

How long does it take for L Tyrosine to kick in?

Summary Tyrosine as a free-form amino acid is the best form of the supplement. Its greatest anti-stress effects have been observed when it's taken in doses of 45-68 mg per pound (100–150 mg per kg) of body weight about 60 minutes before a stressful event.

How much L Tyrosine is safe?

Tyrosine is “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS) by the Food and Drug Administration (28). It has been supplemented safely at a dose of 68 mg per pound (150 mg per kg) of body weight per day for up to three months (15, 29 , 30 ).

Does tyrosine raise blood pressure?

Tyrosine administration reduces blood pressure and enhances brain norepinephrine release in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Other amino acids tested (leucine, isoleucine, valine, alanine, arginine, and aspartate) do not affect blood pressure.

How much L Tyrosine should I take?

Tyrosine is “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS) by the Food and Drug Administration (28). It has been supplemented safely at a dose of 68 mg per pound (150 mg per kg) of body weight per day for up to three months (15, 29 , 30 ).

What should I take with L Tyrosine?

Take tyrosine supplements at least 30 minutes before meals, divided into 3 daily doses. Taking vitamins B6, B9 (folate), and copper along with tyrosine helps the body convert tyrosine into important brain chemicals.

What causes tyrosine deficiency?

Tyrosine hydroxylase deficiency is caused by mutations of the tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) gene. This mutation is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait.

How much L Tyrosine should I take for energy?

Alertness: 150 mg per kilogram of body weight (mg/kg) split into two doses following the loss of sleep. Memory: 150 mg/kg to 300 mg/kg taken prior to a memory task. Mental Performance: 100 mg/kg to 300 mg/kg taken prior to a stressful mental task.

Does L Tyrosine suppress appetite?

Tyrosine is a precursor to the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine, which regulate mood. Tyrosine helps to suppress the appetite and reduce body fat. It is involved in the body's production of thyroid hormones. Low blood levels of Tyrosine have been linked to under-active thyroid function.

Does L Tyrosine affect serotonin?

L-tyrosine contributes to (+)-3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine-induced serotonin depletions. The local infusion of L-tyrosine into the striatum or hippocampus during MDMA administration potentiated the acute increase in extracellular DA and the long-term depletion of 5-HT after MDMA.

What foods are high in tyrosine?

High tyrosine foods include beef, pork, fish, chicken, tofu, milk, cheese, beans, seeds, nuts, and whole grains. The recommended daily intake of phenylalanine and tyrosine is 25mg per kilogram of body weight or 11mg per pound.

Does tyrosine make skin darker?

Tyrosine, an amino acid found in the body, plays its role in the skin by helping to produce melanin. If the tyrosine in a banana is responsible for the yellow color of the peel, tyrosinase is responsible for causing that peel to oxidize and turn brown.

Clinical Studies