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L-Tyrosine

L-Tyrosine

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

About

Tyrosine is one of the amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein. The body makes tyrosine from another amino acid called phenylalanine. Tyrosine can also be found in dairy products, meats, fish, eggs, nuts, beans, oats, and wheat.

Tyrosine is used in protein supplements to treat an inherited disorder called phenylketonuria (PKU). People who have this problem can't process phenylalanine properly, so as a result they can't make tyrosine. To meet their bodies' needs, supplemental tyrosine is given.

People take tyrosine for depression, attention deficit disorder (ADD), attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the inability to stay awake (narcolepsy), and improving alertness following sleep deprivation. It is also used for stress, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), alcohol and cocaine withdrawal, heart disease and stroke, ED (erectile dysfunction), loss of interest in sex, schizophrenia, and as a suntan agent and appetite suppressant.

Some people also apply tyrosine to the skin to reduce age-related wrinkles.

How does it work?

The body uses tyrosine to make chemical messengers that are involved in conditions involving the brain such as mental alertness.

Traditionally used for

Phenylketonuria (PKU).
Mental performance.
Memory.
Improving alertness following the loss of sleep.
Alcoholism.
Cocaine dependence.
Dementia.
High blood pressure (hypertension).
Excessive sleepiness (narcolepsy).
Schizophrenia.
Weight loss.
Wrinkled skin.
Stress.
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
Parkinson's disease.
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).
Alzheimer's disease.
Heart disease.
Erectile dysfunction (ED).

Dosage

By Mouth:

For improving alertness after being without sleep for a long time: 150 mg/kg/day of tyrosine.

For PKU: The current recommendation for people with PKU is the incorporation of 6 grams of tyrosine per 100 grams of protein. However, additional separate supplementation with free tyrosine is not recommended because it can produce wide variations in the amount of tyrosine in the blood and could cause unwanted side effects.

Possible Side Effects

Tyrosine is SAFE when taken by mouth in food amounts and SAFE when taken by adults short-term in medicinal amounts or when applied to the skin. Tyrosine seems to be safe when used in doses up to 150 mg/kg per day for up to 3 months. Some people experience side effects such as nausea, headache, fatigue, heartburn, and joint pain.

There isn't enough information available to know if tyrosine is safe for children to use in medicinal amounts. Don't give it to children without the advice of your healthcare provider until more is known.

Special Precautions & Warnings

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough information available to know if tyrosine is safe to use during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) or Graves disease: The body uses tyrosine to make thyroxine, a thyroid hormone. Taking extra tyrosine might increase thyroxine levels too much, making hyperthyroidism and Graves disease worse. If you have one of these conditions, don't take tyrosine supplements.

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