Belongs to the group of aromatic amino acids, which also includes tryptophan and phenylalanine. It is manufactured by the body from phenylalanine or is supplemented through a normal diet. Essential under some circumstances.
Together with iodine, tyrosine is a precursor to the thyroid hormone thyroxine and triiodothyronine. Tyrosine is transformed to the pigment melanin, to ubiquinone, adrenalin, tyramin and a number of important neurotransmitters.
Tyrosine's normal metabolism requires interaction with numerous nutrients, e.g. vitamin C and the active forms of vitamin B3 (niacin), folic acid, and from the group of minerals copper in particular.
This amino acid quickly penetrates the blood-brain barrier, but is in fierce competition with several other amino acids. Therefore it is that supplements be taken at staggered intervals from other nutrients to prevent negative interaction.
Tyrosine is prevalent in meat protein. In a vegetable diet there is hardly any tyrosine. Abnormal amounts of tyrosine in pregnant women or infants can be counterbalanced by a vitamin C supplement.
Tyrosine supports the function of the adrenal glands and the natural production of adrenalin. Therefore, an organism under stress has an increased need for tyrosine. If this is not supplemented through the diet in sufficient amounts, it is "stolen" from brain activity where extreme deficiencies might occur. Tyrosine supplements may increase your alertness and your memory.
Tyrosin supplements may reduce your appetite and increase your sex drive and may also releave smoking and other withdrawal symptoms.
Compared to the many well-known side effects of other substances, tyrosine is known to be a harmless alternative. Excess copper can induce the transformation of tyrosine to dopamine, which results in tyrosine deficiency. High levels of copper coupled with low levels of histamine are found in a certain type of disease.
In case of some forms of skin- or nerve cancer, the patient has a very high tyrosine metabolism. This high activity can also be observed in cell cultures of the same cancer forms. Selective amino acid starvation of some types of cancer cells by adding rival amino acids is a new form of treatment which has enjoyed some success. The method is in principle a parallel to lysine treatment of cold sores.
Tyrosine supplements have proved to be effective for symptoms associated with menstruation and have brought about better utilization of dopamine for some Parkinson's disease patients. Tyrosine deficiency leads to low body temperature and low blood pressure.
Therapeutic dosage
Although tyrosine supplements up to 7 g. have been used under acute clinical observation, doses of 2 g. have proved to be sufficient.
Attention!
Tyrosine must not be taken with MAOIs such as Cinemet, Marplan, Eldepryl, and the like. Patients with malignant melanoma or neuro- or glioblastoma should avoid tyrosine.
