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L-tyrosine is a non-essential amino acid that the body can produce on its own, but is important during times of stress, fatigue, or cold. It can be found in protein-rich foods and is used to synthesize proteins. People with phenylketonuria (PKU) lack the enzyme required to metabolize phenylalanine into l-tyrosine, which can lead to serious health conditions. While tyrosine supplementation is generally considered safe, high doses can reduce dopamine levels and decrease the body’s ability to absorb other amino acids. People with thyroid conditions should not supplement with tyrosine. Tyrosine may help with various health conditions, but medical evidence is mixed.
L-tyrosine is an amino acid that the body uses to synthesize proteins. The body can produce tyrosine on its own, making it a non-essential amino acid. L-tyrosine is important when the body is stressed, fatigued, or cold. At adequate levels during stressful times, it appears to reduce stress-induced weight loss, as well as stress hormone levels. Under normal circumstances, tyrosine does not appear to have any effect on brain function, performance, or mood.
The body creates l-tyrosine from phenylalanine, which is abundant in many protein-rich foods, including cottage cheese, peanuts, turkey, chicken, and soybeans. There is a condition called phenylketonuria, or PKU, in which the body lacks sufficient levels of the enzyme required to metabolize phenylalanine into l-tyrosine. Phenylalanine accumulates in the body and is excreted in the urine.
PKU is a serious health condition that can lead to seizures, brain damage, and progressive mental retardation. There is no cure for PKU, which is usually diagnosed during newborn health exams. The condition is managed by reducing blood phenylalanine levels, feeding a low-phenylalanine diet and protein supplements, supplementing with tyrosine, and monitoring cognitive development.
It is not necessary to supplement with l-tyrosine for the majority of the population. If someone chooses to supplement, the recommended dose is between 500 and 1,500 milligrams. High levels of l-tyrosine can reduce dopamine levels in the body. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter necessary for the normal function of the central nervous system.
Taking high doses of l-tyrosine can also decrease the body’s ability to absorb other amino acids. In addition to people with PKU, other groups who may want to supplement with tyrosine include people suffering from depression and people with kidney disease. People with kidney disease often excrete large amounts of protein and may develop deficiencies in l-tyrosine and other amino acids.
One group of people who should refrain from supplementing with tyrosine are those with thyroid conditions, such as Graves’ disease or an overactive thyroid. Tyrosine is used by the body to make the thyroid hormone thyroxine. Supplementing tyrosine can increase the amount of thyroxine in the body, worsening thyroid symptoms.
There are many health conditions that tyrosine can help with, although the medical evidence is mixed. In general, tyrosine supplementation is considered safe, so people with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome, narcolepsy, and people hoping to improve alertness after periods of loss of consciousness sleep may find some relief with tyrosine supplements, although it is important to discuss this with a health care provider first. Side effects of tyrosine are mild and relatively rare. They include joint pain, heartburn, nausea, headache, and fatigue.
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