Tyrosine
Feb 17, 2025
Tyrosine
Tyrosine is an amino acid that the body can make from a precursor of phenylalanine. It can be found in dairy products, meat, and fish. It is used to treat phenylketonuria as well as neurologic and cognitive issues like attention deficit disorder.
Mechanism of Action:
Tyrosine is used as a precursor in the synthesis of neurotransmitters like dopa-mine and norepinephrine.
Dosage:
For phenylketonuria the current regimen is 6 g of tyrosine per 100 g of protein. 150 mg/kg/day has been used safely for alertness.
Evidence:
People with phenylketonuria are unable to produce their own tyrosine, leading to their own levels. These patients require a tyrosine supplementation. Some studies are showing that tyrosine is effective in improving mental performance and memory when put under stressful conditions like military training and sleep deprivation due to the effects of dopamine and norepinephrine.
Precautions:
Some noted side effects are nausea, headache, fatigue, heartburn, and joint pain. Tyrosine can worsen hyperthyroidism or Grave's disease because it is used to make thyroxine. Therefore, it should be avoided in these conditions.
Interactions:
Tyrosine can decrease how much levodopa is absorbed, so it can decrease the effectiveness of it. Tyrosine should be avoided with thyroid hormones since it can lead to an increase of effects of thyroid hormones..
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