Tyrosine is an amino acid that is produced by the human body from phenylalanine, which is also an amino acid. Without tyrosine, the human body cannot produce certain important neurotransmitters, namely dopamine, epinephrine and nor epinephrine. These neurotransmitters influence mood and without them, nerve cells would not be able to communicate easily. Tyrosine also plays a role in the production of melanin, which is the pigment from which human eyes, hair and skin get their color. Every protein in the human body includes tyrosine and it even helps organs like the adrenal gland, pituitary glands and thyroid function effectively.
What Are Tyrosine Supplements Taken For?
People do not have to worry about getting tyrosine if their diet is adequately rich in beans, dairy products, nuts, poultry, seeds and seafood. Suffering from tyrosine deficiency is a rarity, but those who do tend to experience low blood pressure and body temperature, and usually have an underactive thyroid. This is the primary reason may have to take Nootriment tyrosine supplements.
As mentioned, phenylalanine is used by the body to form tyrosine, but in the case of people who suffering from Phenylketonuria (PKU), their bodies cannot use this amino acid. Apart from the fact that this condition can cause brain damage, it also results in the deficiency of tyrosine. This is why people suffering from PKU are at times prescribed to take tyrosine supplements while avoiding foods containing phenylalanine.
Also as mentioned, tyrosine helps the body produce epinephrine and nor epinephrine, which are hormones that the body secretes when under stress in order to deal with the stress. However, research suggests that the human body is not able to produce sufficient tyrosine when stressed. Hence, apparently memory and performance can be improved under psychological stress by taking tyrosine supplements, but more studies need to be performed.
Research is also being performed in order to determine if people who are sleep deprived can become more alert by taking tyrosine supplements. According to some athletes, physical performance is also improved by taking supplements containing tyrosine, but this claim has yet to be verified. Even though tyrosine helps the human body produce dopamine, tyrosine supplements will have no effect if taken for the purpose of treating depression.
How Are Tyrosine Supplements Taken?
Currently, tyrosine dietary supplements are available in the form of both capsules and tablets. It is recommended, tyrosine supplements should be taken thrice a day, 30 minutes prior to each meal. Since tyrosine is supposed to be converted into important neurotransmitters, taking copper, folate and vitamin B6 can help the body improve and speed up the process. Since only a doctor or nutritionist can only determine how much tyrosine a person needs, which is the reason doses tend to vary and only they can prescribe the right dose.
Since tyrosine is capable of increasing thyroid hormone levels, the consumption of thyroid hormones should be avoided by people suffering from Graves’ disease, i.e. hyperthyroidism.
Conclusion
if you suffer from Phenylketonuria (PKU), or are considering taking tyrosine supplements for its other potential benefits, make sure you consult with your doctor or nutritionist. Tyrosine is somewhat of an important amino acid and supplementing it in the case of a deficiency can prove to be beneficial if taken in appropriate doses.
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