Tyrosine

Tyrosine is a nonessential amino acid the body produces from a different amino acid called phenylalanine. It is a necessary element for the production of various significant brain chemicals called neurotransmitters, including epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine. And based on this component, Tyrosine is also an admired dietary supplement used to enhance attention, focus and alertness. Tyrosine is found in many food items, especially in cheese, where it was first brought to light. In fact, “tyros” means “cheese” in Greek language. It is also found in fish, chicken, turkey, dairy products and most other high-protein foods. You can purchase the dietary supplement alone or blended with other components, such as in a pre-workout supplement.

Benefits of Tyrosine

May Improve Mental Performance in Stressful Situations

Everybody experiences stress at some point. This stress can negatively affect your thought, memory, knowledge and attention by decreasing neurotransmitters. For example, in one research in 22 women, tyrosine greatly enhanced working memory during a mentally demanding duty, compared to a placebo. Working memory plays a significant role in concentration and following instructions. In an identical study, 22 participants were given either placebo or a tyrosine supplement before fulfilling a test used to assess cognitive flexibility. Cognitive flexibility is the power to switch between tasks or thoughts. Compared to the placebo, tyrosine was found to promote cognitive flexibility. What’s more, two studies concluded that supplementing with tyrosine can reverse mental decline and enhance cognition in short-term, stressful or mentally demanding conditions.

Helps People with Phenylketonuria

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is an uncommon genetic condition caused by a flaw in the gene that helps produce the enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase. Your body uses this enzyme to alter phenylalanine into tyrosine, which is used to create neurotransmitters. However, without this enzyme, your body cannot break down phenylalanine, causing it to build up in the body. The initial process to treat PKU is to follow a particular diet that limits foods involving phenylalanine. But, because tyrosine is made from phenylalanine, people with PKU can become deficient in tyrosine, which can contribute to behavioural complications. Supplementing with tyrosine may be a stable choice for extinguishing these symptoms.

Positive Effects on Depression

Tyrosine has also been known to help with depression. Depression in thought to happen when the neurotransmitters in your brain become variable. Antidepressants are generally prescribed to assist realign and balance them. Because tyrosine can increase the production of neurotransmitters, it’s claimed to act as an antidepressant. 

Might Improve Alertness Following the Loss of Sleep

Taking 150 mg of tyrosine seems to help people who have lost a night’s sleep stay alert for about 3 hours longer than they otherwise would. Also, early studies believe that tyrosine enhances memory and reasoning in people who are sleep-deprived.

Might Improve Athletic Performance

Tyrosine is a usual component in supplements for athletes because of its potential for enhancing physical and cognitive fulfilment. A 2015 review published in the European Journal of Physiology found that tyrosine supplementation enhanced cognitive performance and mental attempt in 8 male soccer players. The participants took the tyrosine supplement 5 hours and one hour before exercising. 

Final Thoughts

Tyrosine is a well-known dietary supplement used for a variety of reasons. Supplementing with tyrosine restocks these important neurotransmitters and enhances mental operation, compared to a placebo. Supplementing with it has been shown to be safe, even in high doses, but has the potential to interact with particular medications, warranting situation. While tyrosine has many benefits, their importance remains unclear until more evidence is available.