L-Tyrosine benefits are multiple, not just for your brain health, but also for the function of your immune system, hormones and your ability to cope with stress.
L-tyrosine Benefits -Summary :
1.Tyrosine Is a Precursor of Key Neurotransmitters
2.Tyrosine and Hormones
3.L-Tyrosine Is an Adaptogen (Helps You Cope With Stress)
4.L-Tyrosine For Depression- Does it Work ?
5. L-Tyrosine As a Nootropic (Improves Mental Performance)
6.L-Tyrosine for Weight Loss, Blood Pressure and Other Health Benefits
In addition, learn about L-tyrosine dosage and L-tyrosine side effects
1.Tyrosine Is a Precursor Of Important Neurotransmitters
Tyrosine is an amino acid that body makes from phenylalanine. The neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine and adrenaline are all made from tyrosine.
*cofactors like vitamins and minerals are involved in this chain reaction
Neurotransmitters help improve communication between brain cells, influence the mood and overall health . Using tyrosine supplements does help increase the levels of norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain [1]. MS had been associated with neurotransmitter imbalances, thus one more reason to improve the levels of these brain chemicals.
Norepinephrine gives you energy and helps your brain fight degeneration and inflammation , and improves memory. MS is linked with norepinephrine deficiency. Dopamine makes you feel motivated, focused, controls movement and coordination. Influences sex hormones and thyroid hormones. Improves the communication between the immune system and nervous system and decreases autoimmune response. Some cases of MS are associated with dopamine deficiency.
One more reason to consider l tyrosine for MS: this aminoacid, along with L-glutamic acid, L-lysine and L-alanine are combined in the MS drug Copaxone.
Technical : The induction of Copaxone-reactive TH 2-like regulatory suppressor is the main mechanism, but recent studies found also an improvement of BDNF [23].
2.Tyrosine and Hormones
Tyrosine helps regulate adrenal, thyroid and pituitary glands. Let’s focus on thyroid hormones, as they are critical for brain health and myelin production. Thyroid hormones influence almost every cell and tissue of the body- from skin, muscles, bones to heart, lungs, brain and kidneys [2]. Just like epinephrine and norepinephrine, thyroid hormones are synthesized from tyrosine. To be more specific the thyroid gland cannot produce its hormones without the presence of the amino acid l-tyrosine.
phenylalanine→ tyrosine→ thyroid hormones*
*The mineral iodine is also needed to produce thyroid hormones. Therefore, tyrosine and/or iodine deficiencies can contribute to low levels of thyroid hormones (quick note about iodine: foods like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, turnips and rutabaga should be consumed cooked. When you eat them in raw form they cause a relative iodine deficiency because they bind to iodine. In this case the mineral iodine cannot help make thyroid hormones. Cooking them makes these foods less likely to cause iodine deficiency) .
3.Tyrosine Is An Adaptogen (Helps You Cope with Stress)
Adaptogens are herbs or supplements that help you deal with and recover quickly from stress. They make you more resilient physically and emotionally. Managing stress should be an important step in reversing MS, because stress plays a key role in autoimmunity and MS relapses.
Studies found that tyrosine supplementation can reduce stress and fatigue, while increasing mental performance. L-tyrosine showed benefits for various types of stress : physical (ie. excessive exercise, trauma), emotional stress, sleep deprivation, cold exposure or excessive noise [3].
Stress increases the release of dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine leading to a deficiency of these neurotransmitters, and this deficiency can be corrected with l-tyrosine supplements. Interestingly, it looks that l-tyrosine does not increase the release of these 3 neurotransmitters when the brain cells are firing in normal conditions (at their basal rates), but when the firing rates are increased by stress [4].
4.Tyrosine For Depression- Does It Work ?
Since dopamine and norepinephrine deficiencies are clearly correlated with depression ( prescription antidepressants specifically target these deficiencies), scientists also evaluated whether or not tyrosine (as a precursor of dopa and norepi) levels would have a direct impact on depression. They found that women who take oral contraceptive pills have lower levels of tyrosine and this may cause depression [9].
L-tyrosine shows antidepressant qualities [10], mostly explained by raising the norepinephrine levels [11]. It appears that l-tyrosine makes 5-HTP (the precursor of serotonin) more effective to treat depression [12]. Another study found l-tyrosine effective to treat only depression associated with dopamine deficiency (the dose used was 3200 mg of L-tyrosine). Yet, another study didn’t find l-tyrosine to work for the treatment of depression [13]. Overall, the evidence suggests neurotransmitter precursors can be helpful in mild or moderate cases of depression [14].
Besides scietific studies, it is worth looking at decades of clinical experience. For example, l-tyrosine was first used by psychiatrists at Harvard Medical School for treating resistant depression- with good results (doses ranged from 1-6 g of l tyrosine daily) [15]. Dr. Priscilla Sagle, MD, psychiatrist also had great success using l-tyrosine for depression to treat many patients during her career. Her treatment was focused on using precursors like tyrosine, tryptophan and cofactors (vitamins, minerals). Her first choice was always tyrosine (3200 mg in the morning) for boosting dopamine and norepi, while phenylalanine being used rarely. For details,you can read her book “The Way Up” which includes specific protocols for depression.
Using l-tyrosine for depression was used a few decades ago and can be beneficial, but I think it should be mostly used for neurotransmitter balance. There are better supplements for managing depression.
5.Tyrosine Improves Memory, Is A Natural Nootropic
L-tyrosine can effectively enhance cognitive performance, especially in short-term stressful situations, and/or cognitively demanding situations (ie think college students before an exam). It helps you think faster, switch easier from one task to another (cognitive flexibility) [5], [6], [7]. L-tyrosine can also boost physical performance in athletes [8].
7.Tyrosine For Blood Pressure, Weight Loss and Other Health Benefits
Tyrosine helps reduce high blood pressure, in those with normal and high blood pressure [15], [16]. L- tyrosine can decrease the diastolic blood pressure while under stress [17]. I did not find any study evaluating l-tyrosine in people with low blood pressure, but I suspect that this supplement may help improve (increase) the blood pressure because of its effects on thyroid hormones. Along with other amino acids (arginine, cysteine, glutamic acid, glycine, histidine, leucine), tyrosine was found to decrease the stiffness of the arteries [18]. Tyrosine plays a role in the production of melanin [19], the pigment that gives your hair and skin color.
The benefits of L-tyrosine for weight loss showed mixed results in scientific studies. I do believe it can aid in health management because L-tyrosine can help raise the thyroid hormones. Therefore it speeds the metabolism, which will help lose some extra pounds.
Some studies show potential pain killer and anti inflammatory qualities [20],[21].
This amino acid is involved in the structure of almost every protein in the body, thus l-tyrosine benefits for overall health are tremendous. Proteins are essential to the health- they are involved in the building and repair of the tissues, are needed to make enzymes, hormones, and other body chemicals. Proteins are important for metabolism, balancing the blood sugar, supporting the adrenal glands, improving mood and increasing energy. Consumption of adequate protein keeps the immune system strong, and the signal of nerves and impulses healthy.
Signs of low tyrosine: low blood pressure, low body temperature and under-active thyroid, dopamine and/or norepinephrine deficiency.
8. L-Tyrosine Dosage and Available Forms. L-Tyrosine Side Effects
The most popular is L-tyrosine. L-tyrosine dosage for depression: from 1-6 grams (many practitioners recommending 3.2 g). For neurotransmitter support L-tyrosine dosage should be more individualized, usually 1-2 grams.
Take tyrosine supplements at least 30 minutes before meals, divided into 3 daily doses. Taking vitamins B6, B9 (folate), copper along with this amino acid helps the body convert tyrosine into dopamine and noerpinenphrine.
If your goal is to raise dopamine, and not norepinephrine, choose N-acetyl tyrosine. L-tyrosine alone can cause anxiety, sleeplessness or irritability, but these symptoms are less likely to occur with N-acetyl tyrosine because it promotes an increased production of dopamine, rather than norepinephrine. N-acetyl tyrosine is more stable and less soluble in water, thus more bioavailable. Daily dosage range from 350 to 700 mgs a day.
L-tyrosine side effects. General rule: start with lower doses, and adjust the dose over a week period, to avoid side effects. Since l-tyrosine is a precursor of norepinephrine and epinephrine (involved in fight or flight reaction), high doses can cause irritability and anxiety. People with migraine headaches should use l tyrosine cautiously, as it may trigger a headache or stomach upset. Since this hormone can raise thyroid hormones, it should not be used by those with hyperthyroidism or those who take thyroid hormones.
L-tyrosine -drug interactions: L-tyrosine can interact with MAOI antidepressants, leading to a condition called hypertensive crisis (rapid, possibly lethal raise in blood pressure). L-tyrosine can also interfere with anti-Parkinson drug levodopa.
Let s not forget about food sources of tyrosine: meats (duck, chicken, turkey, wild game), dairy products, almonds, avocados, banana. Since the best sources are animal porducts, vegans and vegetarians are more likely to have a deficiency of tyrosine and thus need extra supplements.
