Our body is made up of millions of elements that complement each other and work harmoniously for our health. Among these elements are amino acids. L-Tyrosine is one of them. This product is particularly useful for the brain, as several studies have shown.
In this article, we will examine the importance of this amino acid, the recommended daily dose, and the benefits of nootropics for our brain.
Presentation Of L-Tyrosine.
L-tyrosine is an amino acid that plays an important role in the synthesis of neurotransmitters (e.g. dopamine and noradrenaline). This non-essential amino acid can be produced by our body itself, from phenylalanine.
General Information.
L-tyrosine is a natural substance, that the body produces itself. Nevertheless, it may be necessary to supplement under certain circumstances. As it is a food supplement, the product is available without a prescription.
Many laboratories specializing in natural substances now offer it in capsule form. The product is not reimbursed by Social Security, but you can consult your mutual insurance company, some of which cover food supplements.
The name “tyrosine” refers to a pigment that is also found in our skin. It is found in various foods, including lean proteins such as chicken, eggs, fish, and grain oats, as well as in dairy products (yogurt and cheese).
L-Tyrosine: For What Indications?
Are you preparing for an exam? Does your work require intense thinking? Does your mood leave something to be desired? L-Tyrosine is a product that could help you by stimulating attention and brain action. This amino acid acts on thinking ability, concentration, and mental performance. Tyrosine can be used as a natural stimulant.
Tyrosine Increases Mental Performance.
Students and professionals are often subjected to a mental performance requirement. It is in this context that tyrosine offers an interesting alternative to caffeine, but also and especially to chemical stimulants, which are not always healthy. L-Tyrosine, on the other hand, presents an entirely natural solution.
Dr. Lorenza Colzato of the Dutch University of Leiden and her team discovered that tyrosine can increase brain performance by promoting the production of dopamine with 32 subjects consuming orange juice with tyrosine added, and then in a later phase, pure orange juice.
Mental performance was significantly increased when tyrosine was administered.
Tyrosine Makes People More Creative.
The same study shows a better capacity for creativity. In both phases, participants were asked to solve puzzles. This used to involve finding as many different solutions to a question as quickly as possible, such as “What can you do with a pen?”
It turned out that participants performed better when they had an extra daily dose of tyrosine in their bodies.
Tyrosine Improves Reaction Time.
This is not the first study Dr. Colzato has conducted on the effects of tyrosine. A few months earlier, the scientist used the same method to test whether the amino acid could affect reaction time.
Instead of solving puzzles, participants were asked to perform reaction tests on the computer. Again, the researchers were able to determine the positive effect of tyrosine.
Tyrosine Helps Fight Stress.
The most extensive studies on the subject have been conducted by the US military. In 1989, a study by the U.S. Army Environmental Medicine Research Institute proved that tyrosine intake of 100 mg per kilogram of body weight can offset the negative effects of cold and oxygen deprivation.
Normally, the human body reacts to these environmental factors with reduced thinking ability and behavioral abnormalities. In the Army study, participants were exposed to cold and oxygen deprivation for four and a half hours. Prior to this, they were given either a tyrosine supplement or a placebo.
Tyrosine supplementation helped preserve physical and especially mental abilities, even under intense stress.
L-Tyrosine Improves Mood.
The amino acid is often used as a low side effect antidepressant and mood balancer, as it helps the body cope with stress and reduces mental fatigue while stimulating dopamine production.
L-Tyrosine Increases Attention And Concentration.
L-tyrosine can be used to increase attention and concentration, thanks to the production of neurotransmitters. L-tyrosine has been shown to be very effective in helping the body cope with adverse stress, as discussed above. When taken regularly, it seems to improve memory and alertness, which is particularly interesting for the elderly.
How Does L-Tyrosine Work?
Tyrosine promotes the formation of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that is part of the hormones that are generally called “happiness hormones”. It is a non-essential amino acid found in many proteins and is used in the human body for the production of, for example, thyroxine (thyroid hormone) or dopamine (messenger substance in the brain).
Tyrosine is the precursor of neurotransmitters that allow the brain to function efficiently, such as dopamine. Cold weather can cause a deficiency in these catecholamines. However, taking tyrosine will prevent a catecholamine deficiency.
Of course, vitamins, as contained in fruits and vegetables, especially organic ones, also have a decisive influence on thinking performance. Tyrosine acts in synergy with other nutrients which are essential for the proper functioning of the body.
Is The Effect Of Tyrosine Comparable To That Of Stimulant Drugs?
In 2003, researchers at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in the United States compared the effects of various stimulants on thinking performance after sleep deprivation.
Participants were given either tyrosine (150 mg/kg body weight), caffeine (300 mg/70 kg body weight), or psychostimulant phentermine or D-amphetamine.
Sleep deprivation significantly reduced the participants’ mental performance in many areas.
However, all of the substances mentioned were able to improve participants’ test scores despite sleep deprivation, including tyrosine. Tyrosine was not as effective as amphetamines, but it is clear that its effects are much less dangerous!
Increase Brain Power Naturally.
If you want to increase your performance in a healthy way in the short term, it is best to use an amino acid (L-tyrosine) and forget about synthetic psychotropic drugs.
So far L-Tyrosine supplements can regenerate cognitive resources to increase your work capacity. In addition, this amino acid helps increase dopamine levels in the brain. Studies suggest that supplementation may help combat winter blues or seasonal mood swings.
In addition, L-Tyrosine is a building block for thyroid hormones, which are responsible for energy production in your body. There is also a link between tyrosine and an improvement in ADHD symptoms.
Posology: How To Use This Product?
As we have seen, the usual intake of tyrosine is through food. Nevertheless, to make up for situations of deficiency, laboratories specialized in food supplements now offer this product in capsules.
L-Tyrosine In Food.
Certain foods are particularly rich in tyrosine, such as peanuts, peas, organic eggs, and soy products. Since these nutritional sources are somewhat specific, it is sometimes necessary to supplement by taking tyrosine in capsules.
Recommended Daily Dose.
The recommended daily intake is 0.5 to 1 g, twice a day in otherwise healthy people. Capsules should be swallowed preferably with a large glass of water to allow the substance to be distributed throughout the body.
For example, you can take one 500 mg capsule per day for one to two months, preferably in the morning. The effects are felt gradually.
There is no risk of overdosing if you respect the dosage indicated on the manufacturer’s packaging. If you forget to take the product, it is not a problem, you can resume the cure the next day. It is not a drug.
Tyrosine supplementation is mainly justified when needs are increased, in case of depression, or during exams.
=> We also find L-Tyrosine in the nootropic Noocube.
Risks And Dangers.
Side Effects.
Known side effects include a decrease in energy levels, a paradoxical effect since L-tyrosine is supposed to boost our performance. In some people, however, the opposite is true. In this case, the treatment should be stopped.
These same people may experience chronic fatigue or further deterioration of their energy levels. Significant weight gain may accompany this process.
Another side effect, fairly well known and studied, is stiffness in the neck and shoulder area.
Some patients have reported headaches or heartburn.
Contra-Indications.
- Tyrosine as a dietary supplement is strongly discouraged in people treated for dopaminergic disorders such as Parkinson’s disease.
- Tyrosine in high doses can also interact with thyroid hormones, so it is not recommended to be taken in case of thyroid pathology, except on medical advice. In particular: hyperthyroidism and Graves’ disease.
- L-Tyrosine is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women.
Drug Interactions.
Researchers agree that tyrosine’s interactions with drugs are moderate. However, it can interact with :
- Levodopa: decreases the amount in the body.
- Thyroid Hormones: the body naturally produces thyroid hormones.
- L-Tyrosine: increases the number of thyroid hormones. The associated side effects are potentiated.
Opinions On L-Tyrosine Supplements.
Buying Guide For L-Tyrosine.
As with all dietary supplements, it is advisable to buy this product in a pharmacy or on the pages of a reliable online store. Many laboratories, for example, Solgar, now offer this amino acid, usually in 500 mg capsules.
In Brief.
L-tyrosine is a natural non-essential amino acid that is often used as a supplement to a balanced diet to boost brainpower and reduce stress. It is also used to combat depression. It is a precursor of thyroxine and triiodothyronine.
This product is still little known to the general public, but laboratories of food supplements use it more and more often in combination with other nootropics, to improve brain function.
