Supplements

Try Tyrosine to Get Rid of Depression and Stress

Tyrosine is a protein supplement that treats phenylketonuria, which is an inherited disorder. People suffering from phenylketonuria are unable to produce phenylalanine adequately, leading to a deficiency of tyrosine. Tyrosine Supplements help meet the needs of their bodies.

The supplements are known to treat many diseases like depression, attention deficit disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, narcolepsy, and insomnia. A lot of people take tyrosine vitamin for its skin benefits too.

How Tyrosine Benefits the Body?

Stress has a very negative impact on the body as it can affect reasoning, attention, knowledge, and memory by decreasing the neurotransmitters.

Studies conducted on rodents indicate that taking tyrosine supplements helped restore the memory.

1. Improves Mental Performance

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Tyrosine benefits us by balancing the mind in stressful situations.

A study conducted over 22 women, states that while performing a mentally challenging task tyrosine helped to improve memory when compared to the placebo group.

Cognitive flexibility refers to the ability to switch between performing tasks. The one to switch faster has greater cognitive flexibility. It has been that people with tyrosine deficiency are sleep deprived, and taking tyrosine food or supplements helped in achieving better sleep.

2. Use for Phenylketonuria

It is a rare genetic condition that is caused by a defect in the gene that creates the enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase. The body uses the enzyme to convert phenylalanine into tyrosine(1) that produces neurotransmitters. However, the body is not capable of breaking phenylalanine without this enzyme and thus causes a buildup in the body.

One way of treating PKU is to limit phenylalanine through a proper diet. Using tyrosine supplements may also benefit, but more research needs to be done on this.

3. L Tyrosine for Depression

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Tyrosine benefits human health by treating people with depression(2). Unbalanced neurotransmitters in the brain are the major cause of depression. While antidepressants are a common and most practiced method of treating depression, there are reasons to believe that supplementing with tyrosine is an alternative method to reduce symptoms of depression.

A study was conducted consisting of 65 people who received 100 mg/kg of tyrosine, 2.5 mg/kg of an antidepressant or a placebo for one month. The study concluded that tyrosine showed no antidepressant effects.

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Depression is a complex disorder of the mind. People are suffering from low levels of dopamine, adrenaline, or noradrenalin can benefit from taking tyrosine supplements.

4. L Tyrosine for Weight Loss

It is said that L tyrosine could be the right supplement for those who want to lose weight as it speeds up the metabolism and promotes weight loss.

5. Restores Hormonal Balance

Tyrosine is responsible for making the following enzymes

  • Dopamine: This regulates the pleasure and reward centers while being a brain chemical that is important for excellent motor skills and memory.
  • Adrenaline and non-adrenaline: These are hormones that are responsive to stressful situations.
  • Tyrosine for Thyroid: The thyroid gland is responsible for producing thyroid hormones and regulating metabolism. Tyrosine supplements have an influence on these hormones.
  • Melanin: This is responsible for adding color to your eyes, hair, and skin.

How to Use?

  • Tyrosine foods like dairy products, meat, eggs, fish, nuts, beans, oats, and wheat are natural ways to up your tyrosine levels in the body.
  • Tyrosine can also be used as protein supplements.

[ Read: Diet High in Selenium ]

How Much to Use?

To utilize the tyrosine benefits, you must follow the right dosage

  • Tyrosine is prescribed in dosages for adults of 500-2000 mg, which must be taken 45-60 minutes before workout or exercising.
  • To use it for depression and improving mental performance, the dosage is 45-68 mg per kg of body weight.

Side Effects and Precautions

  • Do not exceed the prescribed dosage. An increase in the dosage might trigger gastrointestinal problems and disturb gut health.
  • Tyrosine is used by the body to produce a thyroid hormone called thyroxine. Extra tyrosine may aggravate hyperthyroidism.
  • Those who are taking Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors must be careful as supplementing with tyrosine may cause a tyramine buildup in the body.
  • If you have hypothyroidism, it is better to avoid taking these supplements as it may build up the thyroid hormones and elevate the levels.
  • If you are suffering from Parkinson’s disease must avoid taking tyrosine as it may alleviate symptoms that lead to impaired cognitive reactions in older adults.

Bottom Line

Tyrosine is considered as a dietary supplement for various reasons. It makes neurotransmitters in the body that decreases with time under stressful situations.

These supplements are safe even in high doses but may contradict other medications. To avoid any adverse effects, it is always safer to consult with your doctor before self-medicating.

[ Read: Low Potassium Foods ]


FAQs

1. What causes a deficiency of tyrosine?

It is caused by the changes in the TH (Tyrosine hydroxylase) gene. It is inherited in the autosomal recessive method.

2. Will I feel more energetic after taking these supplements?

Tyrosine benefits us in healing depression and reduces symptoms of stress. You may feel happier and more energetic after taking a supplement as it is a nootropic supplement that can boost your mood and stress response.