L Tyrosine Supplement FactsL Tyrosine - 500 mg *
If you plan to take tyrosine, limit your dose to a third or half a capsule until you find out how tyrosine reacts in your system.
Tyrosine supplement by Ray Sahelian, M.D. Benefit of L Tyrosine - L Tyrosine side effects
What you will find on this
page
Tyrosine
information
Tyrosine supplement information
Mind Power Rx brain enhancer with Tyrosine
-- Formulated by Dr. Sahelian
Tyrosine, also called L Tyrosine, is not an essential amino acid since tyrosine can be
made from the amino acid phenylalanine. Tyrosine is converted into dopamine and norepinephrine.
Supplementation with both tyrosine and phenylalanine leads to alertness and
mental arousal. Mind Power Rx with tyrosine works in a smooth, effective way, to
increase alertness and focus, along with mood.
Phenylalanine and tyrosine are sometimes
prescribed as antidepressants, usually in combination with other nutrients and herbs that
have mood elevating properties. Some doctors also recommend these amino acids for appetite
control. If you have an interest in an appetite suppressant, consider Diet
Rx, an all natural herbal formula. Phenylalanine may trigger the release of an appetite-suppressing hormone in the
gut called cholecystokinin. Most individuals who take either of these amino acids notice
improved alertness, arousal, and mood, and slight loss in appetite. I have a few patients
who occasionally take a small amount of these amino acids, such as 100 to 250 mg, in the
morning as a substitute for coffee. Tyrosine side effects can occur on high
doses which limits the usefulness of this amino acid. See a few paragraphs below for a full list of potential
tyrosien side effects.
Phenylalanine -->
Phenylpyruvic acid
â
L Tyrosine
â
L-Dopa
â
Dopamine
â
Norepinephrine
â
Epinephrine
L Tyrosine Supplement Facts
N Acetyl
Tyrosine 350 is an acetylated derivative of the essential amino acid L-tyrosine. Acetylation enhances the stability
and metabolic effect of
certain amino acids.Q. How much more potent is N-acetyl-Tyrosine
compared to the same amount of L-tyrosine? I have severe problems with anhedonia
and bought N-acetyl to try and raise dopamine levels.
A. It's hard to say. I have not seen studies comparing
the two. In my limited experience, I did find acetyl tyrosine to be more potent,
but I can't quantify it easily. You may wish to try them yourself with the same
dosage on different occasions to see how they compare.
Mind Power Rx with Tyrosine - Formulated by Ray Sahelian, M.D.
Mind Power Rx with L Tyrosine is a sophisticated cognitive formula. It combines a delicate
balance of brain circulation agents and neurotransmitter precursors with
powerful natural brain chemicals that support:
• Memory and Mood
• Mental clarity
• Concentration
• Alertness & Focus
Why buy all the individual herbs and nutrients separately -- at great expense
-- when you can buy this excellent combination?
The herbs in Mind Power Rx include: Ashwagandha,
Bacopa, Fo-Ti, Ginkgo biloba, Ginseng, Mucuna pruriens, and Reishi. The
nutrients and vitamins in Mind Power Rx include
Acetyl-l-carnitine, Carnitine,
Carnosine,
Choline,
DMAE, Inositol, Methylcobalamin, Pantothenic acid,
Trimethylglycine, Tyrosine, and
Vinpocetine.
L Tyrosine side effects
L Tyrosine side effects can include overstimulation, restlessness, anxiety,
and insomnia. Heart palpitations or
arrhythmias are potential side effects that occur from high
doses of tyrosine. These can occur in sensitive individuals in as low a dose as
200 to 500 mg.
Q. I get a rapid heart beat when I take tyrosine. Is
this a tyrosine side effect?
A. Yes, rapid heart beat, even heart palpitations, can
occur as a side effect of tyrosine use. Always start with a low dose, such as
200 mg or less, even if it means opening a tyrosine capsule and taking a portion
of it.
Benefit
of L tyrosine for depression
L Tyrosine may help some people in their fight against depression, but dosages
above 500 mg, in some people, may cause anxiety, restlessness and rapid heart
rate. I prefer other supplements for depression, including 5-HTP, SAM-e, St.
John's wort, and fish oils. Two combination products that are helpful for mood,
mental clarity, and energy are Mind Power Rx and MulitiVit Rx.
High Quality products formulated by a
medical doctor
Consider
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Mind Power Rx for better
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Rx for better vision, often within days; MultiVit
Rx a daily comprehensive multivitamin for more energy and
vitality; Joint Power Rx
for healthy joints; Prostate Power Rx
for a healthy prostate gland; and Passion Rx
for sexual enhancement, better libido, and stamina in men and women.
L Tyrosine summary
Tyrosine is an amino acid that can be used in the
mornings to enhance alertness and focus. Too high a dose can cause
side effects such as irritability, restlessness, anxiety, and heart rhythm
problems. Some users find that it enhances their mood.
N-Acetyl-Tyrosine is an alternative to tyrosine. Less of a dose of
acetyl-tyrosine is required to achieve the same effects as tyrosine. A dose of 100 to
200 mg of acetyl l tyrosine is sufficient for
most people. You have the option to open a capsule of l tyrosine and take a
portion.
L Tyrosine Research Update
Lack of behavioural effects after acute tyrosine depletion in healthy
volunteers.
J Psychopharmacol. 2005 Jan;19(1):5-11.
Acute dietary l tyrosine depletion has previously been shown to reduce
dopamine neurotransmission in both animals and humans. In this study, we
investigated the effects of brain dopamine depletion, through acute l-tyrosine
and phenylalanine depletion, on plasma prolactin, mood and neuropsychological
function in 12 normal subjects. In a randomized, double-blind, cross-over
design, subjects received two amino-acid drinks separated by a week, a
nutritionally balanced mixture (Bal) and on the other occasion a tyrosine and
phenylalanine deficient mixture. The plasma ratio of tyrosine and phenylalanine
to the other large neutral amino acids decreased significantly on the tyrosine
and phenylalanine deficient mixture and there was an increase in plasma
prolactin concentration relative to the balanced drink in the seven subjects for
whom results were available for both occasions. Acute tyrosine depletion did not
alter mood as measured by visual analogue scale ratings, and measures of memory,
attention and behavioural inhibition were also unaffected. Our results are
consistent with acute dietary tyrosine depletion causing a reduction in brain
dopamine neurotransmission but raise questions about how robust or consistent
the effects are on psychological function.
L Tyrosine emails
Q. If the amino acid L-Tyrosine
converts to L-Dopa, then would taking a L-Tyrosine supplement produce the same
effect or result as taking mucuna pruriens?
A. Not really.
Mucuna pruriens has many other compounds
in it besides L dopa.
Q. I am
considering taking N-Acetyl Tyrosine (mornings 200mg) and tryptophan (evenings
500mg) for treatment of mild depression and insomnia. I was wondering whether
SAM-e can be taken in addition to the N-Acetyl Tyrosine?
A. Thank you for your email, but we are not in a
position to say whether this particular combination is appropriate for you. It
may be for some, while others may get serious side effects. Much depends on
dosage, individual tolerance, food intake, other medicines that you take, age, smoking,
exercise patterns, sleep patterns, etc. It is a good idea to first learn how
each supplements works by itself before combining.
Q. I went to a boarding school for three years
where I averaged about 5 hrs of sleep every night. On top of this I was subjected to the
physical stresses of mandatory sports, and ever present cold. I think the result is that I
became a walking zombie. My awareness and attention drastically suffered, my emotions
somewhat froze, and I developed obsessive compulsive disorder. After taking a sufficiently
large dose of MDMA, I noticed that I became aware of the world in a way similar to how I
had experienced it before boarding school. I concluded that I needed to redevelop my
serotonin system, so I started taking 100mg 5htp on a daily basis. I noticed that my mood
was better, especially when I took little breaks from it (I was pleased to learn that you
recommend this practice). I also decided to experiment with my dopamine system, so I tried
n-acetyl-l tyrosine. Immediately, I noticed an improved ability to perceive color. After a
lot of trial and error, I found it best to take the n-acetyl-l tyrosine in two daily doses
of 75mg. These two supplements have greatly helped, in the depression/anxiety, with which
I was recently diagnosed.
A. Thanks for emailing your interesting story.
Q. What's the difference between tyrosine and L tyrosine.
A. Both tyrosine and L tyrosine are the same thing.
Q. I continue to learn from your book, Mind Boosters. It
is the one source that I continually return to when exploring nutritional approaches. My
question concerns tyrosine supplements. I have recently begun taking Acetyl L-Tyrosine, one 300 mg.
tablet in the morning. It seems to increase energy, and even give a little boost in the
area of verbal fluency (an area that I am very interested in improving). I seem to
"feel like talking" more than I normally would, and the words seem to come a
little more easily. However...I'm having a lot of trouble sleeping, even with this small
(I think) dosage, I seem to have a "wired" feeling. I would hate to give up the
benefits of tyrosine.
A. 300 mg of acetyl-tyrosine is actually, in my opinion, a
high dose. Acetyl-tyrosine is probably much more active that tyrosine by itself. The
alertness it produces does cause insomnia. A lower dosage may reduce the side effects.
Q. I have read a lot on your web site about the cautions of 5-HTP and
would like to ask about whether there are
any risks of using l tyrosine in the long-term. For me, this supplement really helps with
my mood but I
would like to know whether the amino acid is safe for daily consumption at a high dose (12
grams). I do not
experiences any side-effects from this amino acid and have not read any reports of toxicity
ever occurring
from its use.
A. Twelve grams of tyrosine is an extremely high dose. Side effects
could include irritability, anxiety, heart irregularities and perhaps, over the
long run, tyrosine could have a pro oxidant effect on certain brain cells, but this is just
a
hypothesis. Tyrosine seems to be more effective in those whose depression is due to low
dopamine levels. It's probably best to not use one particular nutrient to treat depression
for prolonged periods but to alternate different ones such as St. John's wort, SAMe,
5-HTP, etc.
Q. Why is it so hard to get l-tyrosine, phenylalanine, and others in
smaller doses? Everyone talks about the 500 mgs doses, I personally do much
better with the low doses. Is it possible that lot of people would do better
with the lower doses, as you talk about in your Mind Boosters book?
A. It seems that the public thinks higher doses are
better, and manufacturers respond to this by selling higher dose products,
worried that other companies may grab a larger share of the market by selling
higher dosage nutrients. Since each person is unique in their requirement, it is
okay to open capsules of tyrosine or other nutrients and herbs and take a
portion.
Q. Having had fibromyalgia for almost 20 years, I had already
investigated 5-HTP, but had seen a couple of articles warning that it
contracts the arteries and should never be given to anyone with high
cardiac risk factors or arterial spasm. I have a high risk ratio, high
blood pressure and have had arterial spasms in cold weather, before I
started taking high dose Magnesium....that stopped the spasms and also
stopped the PVC's and chest pain from my regurgitating MVP.
My former holistic doctor insisted I needed to take a
supplement which contained both 5HTP and L tyrosine in
large amounts. Tyrosine raises blood pressure. He dismissed the risks for
both 5HTP and tyrosine as not true. He believed fibromyalgia to be a
deficiency of neurotransmitters, which I regard as merely one of the many
symptoms of the illness. I decided to trust him....after all, he was the
doctor, not me.
Within 3 weeks I was having paroxysmal atrial
fibrillation, PVC's, and PSVT attacks, and had to be placed on a cardiac
event monitor (which is how the PSVTs were diagnosed). I could not even
walk across a room without help, and when going outside into cold air, I
was brought to my knees gasping from spasms. Every time I fell asleep, I
would wake up repeatedly with PSVT's accompanied by horrifying
dysautonomic symptoms. I stopped the product and slowly recovered
over a period of about 2 months, except that PSVTs have become a permanent
part of my illness now, and I must take Verapamil ER daily to keep them
manageable. I no longer dare to drive a car or even walk our dogs because
of these attacks. Ablation is not an option due to the dysautonomia, and
the 3 leaking valves I have, as well as my allergy to all of the useful
antibiotics for preventing BE in MVP patients, and an inability to take
any pain med but Tylenol, due to the large amt. of Clonidine I must take
for my high blood pressure.
A. This product has high amounts of
5-HTP and Tyrosine:
1. 5HTP 300 mg
2. Tyrosine 3,000 mg
I am not mentioning the name of the product
but that is not important. The important message is too high doses of certain
supplements can cause heart problems, particularly tyrosine.
Q. I have had low grade depression in the past and
found tyrosine to be highly effective for me. Now with a 5 month old and the
winter season, I am feeling a bit low again and wondering if it is safe to take
tyrosine while I am nursing. My son’s health is ultimately more important, but I
would like to improve my mood as well, hopefully without prescription
anti-depressants.
A. Since we have not come across research regarding the
use of tyrosine during nursing, it is difficult to make a recommendation.
Q. What is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor?
A. A tyrosine kinase inhibitor is a drug used in certain
cancers such as leukemia. Drugs that target tyrosine kinases belong to a new
class of anti cancer agents, directed at cellular signaling mechanisms.
Receptor tyrosine kinases and intracellular tyrosine kinases regulate cellular
events that may be involved in tumor development, such as proliferation,
survival, and angiogenesis. Some of these agents are established in clinical
practice, in particular the small-molecular tyrosine kinase inhibitor imatinib
in the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia and gastrointestinal stromal tumors
and the antibody trastuzumab in the treatment of breast cancer.
Q. I have recently started researching DLPA and
tyrosine and am wondering if there is any real reason to take BOTH, or if it is
generally an either/or thing. I currently take tyrosine and iodine, along with
high pot. liquid multi vit/min., essential fatty acids etc. I have a thyroid
problem and my naturopath has me on tyrosine and iodine, but because I am pretty
overweight I was looking into DLPA and am confused by the frequent references to
take DLPA and tyrosine TOGETHER, when DLPA will just be turned into tyrosine
anyway. Is there another use for DLPA, or is it always turned into tyrosine? And
if it is always turned into tyrosine, why bother with both? And if only one
should be taken at a time, which is preferred?
A. DLPA does convert into tyrosine, but it can be
metabolized in a different direction, too, including phenylpurivic acid and
other metabolites. I personally don't see the need to take both tyrosine and
phenylalanine. As to which one to choose, the best way is through trial and
error since there are no blood studies or other tests that can be done to find out
which supplement will provide you with better results.
Q. I have been taking L Tyrosine for about 7 years to
help with central serous retinopathy. However, over the past two year I have
suffered terrible insomnia and never made a connection. Thanks to looking at
your site and the great information I see the connection. Do you think that the
tyrosine 500mg dosage that I have been taking for 7 years is a little to high?
A. We can't say if the tyrosine is the cause of your
insomnia, but tyrosine has the potential to cause sleep problems.
Q. Last year after taking Prozac for many years I
decided to add L-tyrosine to my daily supplements. I added about 900 mg a day.
Soon after that I developed what's been diagnosed as "tics". I'm wondering if
the addition of L-tyrosine could have had anything to do with this?
A. It is possible, but we can't say for sure.
Q. When I take L-tyrosine I seem to have intestinal
problems, such as gas and lose bowels. Is this a common side effect with L
tyrosine supplement?
A. Tyrosine has many side effects, the most common
being irritability and rapid heart beat, but gastrointestinal symptoms can also
occur. A lower dose tyrosine may not cause these side effects.
Q. Why is it recommended that tyrosine be taken at
least 30 minutes before a meal or 2 hours after a meal?
A. Tyrosine cannot easily cross the blood brain barrier
if there are many other competing amino acids in the blood stream which occur
after eating a meal. Therefore, on an empty stomach, tyrosine can be absorbed
well and cross the blood brain barrier. However, tyrosine side effects are
higher when this approach is taken, therefore a lower dosage would minimize
this. Hence, to notice the effects from a tyrosine supplement, one can take a
higher amount of tyrosine with food, or a smaller amount on an empty stomach.
Q. Even a small portion of beef contains more tyrosine
than most supplements. Why shouldn't I just eat a burger?
A. When individual amino acids are taken by themselves,
they have a different affect on the body and mind as opposed to taken in
combination as a supplement or in food. A dose of tyrosine, for instance, can
cause alertness, whereas if the same amount is ingested in beef, it would not
cause alertness since it would be mixed with many other competing amino acids.
Q. I have seen an ad for Glycyl-L-Tyrosine. How is it
different than tyrosine?
A. Glycyl-L-Tyrosine is a new one for me. I don't know much
about it and have not seen human studies with Glycyl-L-Tyrosine.
Q. I've just found your tyrosine site after having
severe heart problems with arrhythmia. I was diagnosed with high cholesterol and
also raised TSH.
After reducing the rapid pulse and arrhythmia and being discharged, the doctors
varied in opinion re the level of TSH (only 6 6 ) and said was not too high. And
said heart was okay. But I was still extremely breathless even on just sitting.
Any exertion is difficult (and I was extremely fit and active).
I then thought back to what I'd done and had been taking 5htp and other vitamins
/ amino acids for a few months. Then about 4 weeks ago added in tyrosine
(self-medicated) then got exhausted, breathless, insomnia. Put it down to other
things, stress / work. Increased dose to 1000mg and increased 5htp to 3 x 50mg
per day. Symptoms got drastically worse, could hardly move and ended up in
hospital. Stopped medication. Then tried to piece this together. Then looked on
internet and found your site. So, please advise others as you are of the dangers
of tyrosine. I, like presumably others, thought I knew better and being vitamins
- could not do any damage. Secondly are you able to please answer whether the
breathlessness and rapid heart beat will disappear or have I done irreversible
damage. I am getting better each day, particularly on sitting but walking or any
exertion can be problematic.
A. If the problem was due to the misuse of supplements such as
tyrosine, then the condition should reverse with time. However, we have no way
of determining what your cardiac situation is without knowing all the study
results including heart tests. We wish you optimal healing.
Q. Given that you personally feel that high dosages of
tyrosine cause several adverse affects, is there ANY
regulation or FDA recommended dosage that is approved for this medicine? I have
had enormous problems with tyrosine in the past that are too dramatic to even
begin to tell you. Where, if anywhere are the dangers of tyrosine regulated? Any
organization other than you watch-dogging this?
A. You ask a good question that deserves a somewhat philosophical
answer. There are no guidelines for supplement dosage recommendations since any
such guidelines would be somewhat arbitrary and open to significant differences
of opinion between scientists and doctors. And how do we know that government
officials are any more knowledgeable (or honest) than medical doctors,
nutritionists, or scientists? There are thousands of herbs and individual
supplements, and tens of thousands or more of different combination formulas.
How can any independent or governmental organization ever keep up with this?
If such strict guidelines are placed on supplements dosages, why
not them limit alcohol sale to only sex ounces per person since there would be,
and is, a serious risk in drinking a lot more? What about limiting aspirin use since it
can cause stomach ulcers and thousands of people are hospitalized each year for
stomach bleeds. What about limiting sales of sugar-laden sodas that cause
obesity and diabetes in our children? What about stopping people from skiing
downhill since each weekend there are many people who get hurt on the slopes,
some with permanent injuries? We live in a society that should accept that there
are risks to some of the actions we take or some of the products and foods we
ingest. If we were to tightly regulate every little detail of a citizen's life,
we would no longer have the freedoms we currently enjoy. Each citizen is
responsible for their own health and to learn as much about a food, drink,
supplement, or medicine before they ingest it' and to learn as much about the
risks of a physical activity or sport before engaging in that activity.
Q. Thank you for the paragraph above. We have become a
country that depends on babysitters and sometimes babysitters aren't so nice. I
live in Asia most of the time and find it so refreshing that many of the people
that we Americans consider poor and downtrodden are much more intelligent about
their health than we have become. Personal responsibility for an individual's
health has migrated to 'corporations' that promise that they are taking care of
us. I love being aware of my own health and the life I lead. I don't smoke
anymore, but I do juice, take supplements if need be, drink too much wine,
exercise, and I PICK MY OWN POISONS! If you get my drift. Wake up America.
Thanks again.
This tyrosine benefit and l tyrosine side
effects page was last updated January 2008.