Supplement FactsL Tyrosine - 750 mg *
If you plan to take tyrosine, limit your dose to a third or half a capsule until you find out how tyrosine reacts in your system.
Tyrosine supplement Benefit and side effects - The role of phenylalanine in health improvement
L Tyrosine is not an essential amino acid since tyrosine can be
made from the amino acid phenylalanine. Tyrosine is converted into dopamine and norepinephrine.
Supplementation with both tyrosine and phenylalanine leads to alertness and
mental arousal. Mind Power Rx with tyrosine works in a smooth, effective way, to
increase alertness and focus, along with mood.
Phenylalanine and tyrosine are sometimes
prescribed as antidepressants, usually in combination with other nutrients and herbs that
have mood elevating properties. Some doctors also recommend these amino acids for appetite
control. If you have an interest in an appetite suppressant, consider Diet
Rx, an all natural herbal formula. Phenylalanine may trigger the release of an appetite-suppressing hormone in the
gut called cholecystokinin. Most individuals who take either of these amino acids notice
improved alertness, arousal, and mood, and slight loss in appetite. I have a few patients
who occasionally take a small amount of these amino acids, such as 100 to 250 mg, in the
morning as a substitute for coffee. Tyrosine side effects can occur on high
doses which limits the usefulness of this amino acid. See a few paragraphs below for a full list of potential
tyrosine side effects.
Phenylalanine -->
Phenylpyruvic acid
â
L Tyrosine
â
L-Dopa
â
Dopamine
â
Norepinephrine
â
Epinephrine
Supplement FactsQ. How much more potent is N-acetyl-Tyrosine
compared to the same amount of L-tyrosine? I have severe problems with anhedonia
and bought N-acetyl to try and raise dopamine levels.
A. It's hard to say. I have not seen studies comparing
the two. In my limited experience, I did find acetyl tyrosine to be more potent,
but I can't quantify it easily. You may wish to try them yourself with the same
dosage on different occasions to see how they compare.
Tyrosine or phenylalanine
Q. I am wondering if taking tyrosine has different effects on the body than
taking phenylalanine, and vice versa. If one is trying to rebuild norepinephrine
and not dopamine, but one or the other or both more specifically target
norepinephrine?
A. It is difficult to know exactly how these amino acids, when
taken as a supplement, are metabolized in the body and brain since there are
many pathways they can follow. There are several
variables involved including dosage, absorption from the GI tract, metabolism in the liver,
crossing the blood brain barrier, interactions with food, a person's individual
biochemistry and enzyme status, and other factors. Rather than trying to
determine on a neurotransmitter level which converts better into norepinephrine or other
brain chemicals, the best option is to experiment with each one in different
dosages to see which of the two provides a better clinical response.
Phenylalanine amine acid supplement
Phenylalanine is an essential amino acid. Inside the body, phenylalanine is
converted into tyrosine, another amino acid. Tyrosine is then used to produce dopamine and norepinephrine, both neurotransmitters. All of these elements are
important because of their relationship to the central nervous system.
Phenylalanine is available in three chemical forms: L-phenylalanine, the natural form of phenylalanine found in proteins throughout the body; (2) D-phenylalanine, a mirror image of L-phenylalanine that is synthesized in a laboratory; and (3) DL-phenylalanine, a combination of the previous two forms.
The body converts phenylalanine into tyrosine, another amino acid essential for making proteins, certain brain chemicals, and thyroid hormones. Symptoms of phenylalanine deficiency include confusion, lack of energy, decreased alertness, decreased memory, and diminished appetite.
Q. Which amino acid supplement is
better to take for alertness, phenylalanine or tyrosine?
A. It's difficult to say, some people prefer tyrosine, others
prefer phenylalanine. The best way to find out is to try each one separately.
Side effects
L Tyrosine side effects can include overstimulation, restlessness, anxiety,
and insomnia. Heart palpitations or
arrhythmias are potential side effects that occur from high
doses of tyrosine. These can occur in sensitive individuals in as low a dose as
200 to 500 mg.
Q. I get a rapid heart beat when I take tyrosine. Is
this a tyrosine side effect?
A. Yes, rapid heart beat, even heart palpitations, can
occur as a side effect of tyrosine use. Always start with a low dose, such as
200 mg or less, even if it means opening a tyrosine capsule and taking a portion
of it.
Q. Are there any side effects like blood clots or fatty
tumors when using tyrosine supplements?
A. We are not aware of tyrosine supplements causing blood clots or
fatty tumors.
Benefit
of L tyrosine for depression
L Tyrosine may help some people in their fight against depression, but dosages
above 500 mg, in some people, may cause anxiety, restlessness and rapid heart
rate. I prefer other supplements for depression, including 5-HTP, SAM-e, St.
John's wort, and fish oils. Two combination products that are helpful for mood,
mental clarity, and energy are Mind Power Rx and MulitiVit Rx.
L Tyrosine summary
Tyrosine is an amino acid that can be used in the
mornings to enhance alertness and focus. Too high a dose can cause
side effects such as irritability, restlessness, anxiety, and heart rhythm
problems. Some users find that it enhances their mood.
N-Acetyl-Tyrosine is an alternative to tyrosine. Less of a dose of
acetyl-tyrosine is required to achieve the same effects as tyrosine. A dose of 100 to
200 mg of acetyl l tyrosine is sufficient for
most people. You have the option to open a capsule of l tyrosine and take a
portion.
L Tyrosine Research Update
Lack of behavioural effects after acute tyrosine depletion in healthy
volunteers.
J Psychopharmacol. 2005 Jan;19(1):5-11.
Acute dietary l tyrosine depletion has previously been shown to reduce
dopamine neurotransmission in both animals and humans. In this study, we
investigated the effects of brain dopamine depletion, through acute l-tyrosine
and phenylalanine depletion, on plasma prolactin, mood and neuropsychological
function in 12 normal subjects. In a randomized, double-blind, cross-over
design, subjects received two amino-acid drinks separated by a week, a
nutritionally balanced mixture (Bal) and on the other occasion a tyrosine and
phenylalanine deficient mixture. The plasma ratio of tyrosine and phenylalanine
to the other large neutral amino acids decreased significantly on the tyrosine
and phenylalanine deficient mixture and there was an increase in plasma
prolactin concentration relative to the balanced drink in the seven subjects for
whom results were available for both occasions. Acute tyrosine depletion did not
alter mood as measured by visual analogue scale ratings, and measures of memory,
attention and behavioural inhibition were also unaffected. Our results are
consistent with acute dietary tyrosine depletion causing a reduction in brain
dopamine neurotransmission but raise questions about how robust or consistent
the effects are on psychological function.
L Tyrosine emails
Q. I am
considering taking N-Acetyl Tyrosine (mornings 200mg) and tryptophan (evenings
500mg) for treatment of mild depression and insomnia. I was wondering whether
SAM-e can be taken in addition to the N-Acetyl Tyrosine?
A. Thank you for your email, but we are not in a
position to say whether this particular combination is appropriate for you. It
may be for some, while others may get serious side effects. Much depends on
dosage, individual tolerance, food intake, other medicines that you take, age, smoking,
exercise patterns, sleep patterns, etc. It is a good idea to first learn how
each supplements works by itself before combining.
Q. I went to a boarding school for three years
where I averaged about 5 hrs of sleep every night. On top of this I was subjected to the
physical stresses of mandatory sports, and ever present cold. I think the result is that I
became a walking zombie. My awareness and attention drastically suffered, my emotions
somewhat froze, and I developed obsessive compulsive disorder. After taking a sufficiently
large dose of MDMA, I noticed that I became aware of the world in a way similar to how I
had experienced it before boarding school. I concluded that I needed to redevelop my
serotonin system, so I started taking 100mg 5htp on a daily basis. I noticed that my mood
was better, especially when I took little breaks from it (I was pleased to learn that you
recommend this practice). I also decided to experiment with my dopamine system, so I tried
n-acetyl-l tyrosine. Immediately, I noticed an improved ability to perceive color. After a
lot of trial and error, I found it best to take the n-acetyl-l tyrosine in two daily doses
of 75mg. These two supplements have greatly helped, in the depression/anxiety, with which
I was recently diagnosed.
A. Thanks for emailing your interesting story.
Q. What's the difference between tyrosine and L tyrosine.
A. Both tyrosine and L tyrosine are the same thing.
Q. I continue to learn from your book, Mind Boosters. It
is the one source that I continually return to when exploring nutritional approaches. My
question concerns tyrosine supplements. I have recently begun taking Acetyl L-Tyrosine, one 300 mg.
tablet in the morning. It seems to increase energy, and even give a little boost in the
area of verbal fluency (an area that I am very interested in improving). I seem to
"feel like talking" more than I normally would, and the words seem to come a
little more easily. However...I'm having a lot of trouble sleeping, even with this small
(I think) dosage, I seem to have a "wired" feeling. I would hate to give up the
benefits of tyrosine.
A. 300 mg of acetyl-tyrosine is actually, in my opinion, a
high dose. Acetyl-tyrosine is probably much more active that tyrosine by itself. The
alertness it produces does cause insomnia. A lower dosage may reduce the side effects.
Q. I have read a lot on your web site about the cautions of 5-HTP and
would like to ask about whether there are
any risks of using l tyrosine in the long-term. For me, this supplement really helps with
my mood but I
would like to know whether the amino acid is safe for daily consumption at a high dose (12
grams). I do not
experiences any side-effects from this amino acid and have not read any reports of toxicity
ever occurring
from its use.
A. Twelve grams of tyrosine is an extremely high dose. Side effects
could include irritability, anxiety, heart irregularities and perhaps, over the
long run, tyrosine could have a pro oxidant effect on certain brain cells, but this is just
a
hypothesis. Tyrosine seems to be more effective in those whose depression is due to low
dopamine levels. It's probably best to not use one particular nutrient to treat depression
for prolonged periods but to alternate different ones such as St. John's wort, SAMe,
5-HTP, etc.
Q. Why is it so hard to get l-tyrosine, phenylalanine, and others in
smaller doses? Everyone talks about the 500 mgs doses, I personally do much
better with the low doses. Is it possible that lot of people would do better
with the lower doses, as you talk about in your Mind Boosters book?
A. It seems that the public thinks higher doses are
better, and manufacturers respond to this by selling higher dose products,
worried that other companies may grab a larger share of the market by selling
higher dosage nutrients. Since each person is unique in their requirement, it is
okay to open capsules of tyrosine or other nutrients and herbs and take a
portion.
Q. What is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor?
A. A tyrosine kinase inhibitor is a drug used in certain
cancers such as leukemia. Drugs that target tyrosine kinases belong to a new
class of anti cancer agents, directed at cellular signaling mechanisms.
Receptor tyrosine kinases and intracellular tyrosine kinases regulate cellular
events that may be involved in tumor development, such as proliferation,
survival, and angiogenesis. Some of these agents are established in clinical
practice, in particular the small-molecular tyrosine kinase inhibitor imatinib
in the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia and gastrointestinal stromal tumors
and the antibody trastuzumab in the treatment of breast cancer.
Q. I have been taking L Tyrosine for about 7 years to
help with central serous retinopathy. However, over the past two year I have
suffered terrible insomnia and never made a connection. Thanks to looking at
your site and the great information I see the connection. Do you think that the
tyrosine 500mg dosage that I have been taking for 7 years is a little to high?
A. We can't say if the tyrosine is the cause of your
insomnia, but tyrosine has the potential to cause sleep problems.
Q. Last year after taking Prozac for many years I
decided to add L-tyrosine to my daily supplements. I added about 900 mg a day.
Soon after that I developed what's been diagnosed as "tics". I'm wondering if
the addition of L-tyrosine could have had anything to do with this?
A. It is possible, but we can't say for sure.
Q. When I take L-tyrosine I seem to have intestinal
problems, such as gas and lose bowels. Is this a common side effect with L
tyrosine supplement?
A. Tyrosine has many side effects, the most common
being irritability and rapid heart beat, but gastrointestinal symptoms can also
occur. A lower dose tyrosine may not cause these side effects.
Q. Why is it recommended that tyrosine be taken at
least 30 minutes before a meal or 2 hours after a meal?
A. Tyrosine cannot easily cross the blood brain barrier
if there are many other competing amino acids in the blood stream which occur
after eating a meal. Therefore, on an empty stomach, tyrosine can be absorbed
well and cross the blood brain barrier. However, tyrosine side effects are
higher when this approach is taken, therefore a lower dosage would minimize
this. Hence, to notice the effects from a tyrosine supplement, one can take a
higher amount of tyrosine with food, or a smaller amount on an empty stomach.
Q. Even a small portion of beef contains more tyrosine
than most supplements. Why shouldn't I just eat a burger?
A. When individual amino acids are taken by themselves,
they have a different affect on the body and mind as opposed to taken in
combination as a supplement or in food. A dose of tyrosine, for instance, can
cause alertness, whereas if the same amount is ingested in beef, it would not
cause alertness since it would be mixed with many other competing amino acids.
Q. I have seen an ad for Glycyl-L-Tyrosine. How is it
different than tyrosine?
A. Glycyl-L-Tyrosine is a new one for me. I don't know much
about it and have not seen human studies with Glycyl-L-Tyrosine.
Q. Thank you for the paragraph above. We have become a country that depends on babysitters and sometimes babysitters aren't so nice. I live in Asia most of the time and find it so refreshing that many of the people that we Americans consider poor and downtrodden are much more intelligent about their health than we have become. Personal responsibility for an individual's health has migrated to 'corporations' that promise that they are taking care of us. I love being aware of my own health and the life I lead. I don't smoke anymore, but I do juice, take supplements if need be, drink too much wine, exercise, and I PICK MY OWN POISONS! If you get my drift. Wake up America. Thanks again.
I admit that I have a difficult time understanding a
lot of scientific articles and technical terms, but I have been treated for
breast cancer and am currently NED and taking armidex daily. I was also HER2+
and so received herceptin. I have been using an over-the-counter diet supplement
(Xenadrine RFA-1) that contains l-tyrosine. There are 80 mg. per capsule, and I
end up taking no more than 4 per day. Should I discontinue this?
This is a decision you and your doctor need to make. It is
difficult to know how a product such as Xenadrine or an amino acid supplement
such as tyrosine interacts with the other medications.
Uncaria
tomentosa is a large woody vine native to the Amazon and Central American
rainforests that has immune influencing properties.
Vasaka consists
of leaves of the plant Justicia adhatoda
This page was last updated 2008.