L-Tyrosine (Amino Acid)

HealthWise® L-Tyrosine 150g

• 100% pure powder
• pharmaceutical grade
• L-Tyrosine
• packed without fillers or flowing agents

Do you need L-Tyrosine?  Take the amino acid test here.

Athletic Uses

Supplements that boost the brain’s dopamine concentration are of interest to endurance athletes. Some research has suggested that tyrosine might have an effect at a high temperature. At high temperatures athletes tire more quickly. In the brain tyrosine is converted – also via L-Dopa – into dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that motivates people to continue and suppresses feelings of fatigue and is activated by high temperatures produced by aerobic activity.

Other Uses

Cognitive function:  In addition, a 2007 study of 19 people (published in Physiology & Behavior) found that use of tyrosine supplements helped protect against the detrimental effects of severe cold exposure on cognitive performance and memory.

Depression and mood disorders:  Tyrosine (actually L-tyrosine) is an amino acid precursor of the neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine. Taking tyrosine on an empty stomach is supposed to cause an increase in norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain, which can lead to increased energy, alertness and improved moods, thus relieving depression.

Unlike St John’s wort, that can take two months to work, and prescription antidepressants, which probably won’t kick in for about six weeks, tyrosine works very quickly. However, because it can raise blood pressure in some people, it must be used cautiously by individuals with hypertension and can also cause anxiety.

Healing the thyroid can be a useful adjunct in the treatment of depression. As a precursor of the thyroid hormones thyroxine and triidothyronine, L tyrosine can help to elevate mood and promote well-being that is hindered by low thyroid function.

PKU (phenylketonuria)  This serious condition occurs in people whose bodies can’t use the amino acid phenylalanine. It can lead to brain damage, including intellectual disability. People with PKU must avoid any phenylalanine in their diets. Because tyrosine is made from phenylalanine,
people with PKU can be deficient in tyrosine.

Dosage

Thyroid Function and Mood disorders: 500-1000 mg twice daily
PKU 500-1000mg once daily
Take L Tyrosine at least 30 minutes before meals, divided into 2-3 daily doses.
Taking vitamins B6, B9 (folate), and copper along with tyrosine helps the body convert tyrosine into important brain chemicals. There is no research to indicate taking Tyrosine in juice enhances absorption

Possible Interactions

Be cautious with the following: Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) — Tyrosine may cause a severe increase in blood pressure in people taking antidepressant medications known as MAOIs. This rapid increase in blood pressure, also called “hypertensive crisis,” can lead to a heart attack or
stroke. People taking MAOIs should avoid foods and supplements containing tyrosine.

MAOIs include:

Isocarboxazid (Marplan)
Phenelzine (Nardil)
Tranylcypromine (Parnate)
Selegiline

Thyroid hormones — Tyrosine is a precursor to thyroid hormone, so it might raise levels too high when taken with synthetic thyroid hormones. (Moniter) Levodopa (L-dopa) — Tyrosine should not be taken at the same time as levodopa, a medication used to treat Parkinson’s disease. Levodopa may interfere with the absorption of tyrosine.