Tyrosine supplement benefit and side effects,
dosage what is the best way to use this amino acid?
Available in 250 mg, 500 mg, and 750 mg pills
What are the risk of taking this amino acid in high dosages?
July 22 2018 by Ray Sahelian, M.D.
Tyrosine is not an essential amino acid since
it can be
made from the amino acid phenylalanine. It is body and brain it is converted into dopamine and norepinephrine.
Supplementation with both tyrosine and phenylalanine leads to alertness and
mental arousal. Mind Power Rx, a natural brain enhancing product, 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.
Benefit
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.
Supplement Facts | ||
Serving Size: 1 Capsule | ||
Amount Per Serving | % Daily Value | |
L-Tyrosine | 500 mg | * |
* Daily Value not established. |
Memory and Mood
Mental clarity
Concentration
Alertness and Focus
The herbs in this formula include: Bacopa, Fo-Ti, Ginkgo biloba, Ginseng, Mucuna pruriens, and Reishi. The nutrients and vitamins in Mind Power Rx include Acetyl l-carnitine, Carnitine, Carnosine antioxidant, Choline, DMAE, Inositol, Pantothenic acid, Tyrosine, and Vinpocetine.
Conversion of the amino acids
Phenylalanine
converts to L Tyrosine,
followed by L-dopa which in turns is metabolized to dopamine
which can convert into norepinephrine and then to epinephrine.
Lets say you take 100 mg of tyrosine pill, how much of
it is converted into L-dopa?
I have not seen any human studies to determine what
percentage of this amino acid is converted in L-dopa. There is probably a great
deal of individual variability.
Side effects, caution, danger, risk
L Tyrosine side effects can include overstimulation, restlessness, anxiety,
and insomnia. Rapid heart beat, heart palpitations or
arrhythmias are potential side effects that occur from high
doses. These can occur in sensitive individuals in as low a dose as
200 to 500 mg, or even less. I, personally, notice some mild anxiety when I take
more than 500 mg. I have had reports from users who have felt negative effects
from as low as 100 mg.
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 it in the past that are too dramatic to even begin to
tell you.
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. I have been taking about 400-600mg of N-Acetyl Tyrosine
each morning on an empty stomach. My first reaction was more alertness, focus
and energy. I was very excited. After about a week or so, I started having
growing anxiety, depression and lack of motivation. None of those have ever been
part of my makeup. I didn’t immediately associate those symptoms with the NALT
since my first reactions had been so positive. But I cut back and those symptoms
lessened and almost went away. Good. But then I started having heart
palpitations and some pain in my chest. Researching those symptoms with NALT
brought me to your website. I have obviously completely stopped the NALT, but
the pain has still come a few times. My questions, would you suspect that I have
done permanent damage to my body, heart? Should I expect to return to normal
with a few week free of the supplement?
A. I do not suspect any permanent damage has been done with just
using it for a few weeks.
Q. Are there
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 (2
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. 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. Two months ago I slowly
stopped taking Prozac after 30 yrs because I felt better off of it. I currently
take Topiramate 25mg for sleeping / mood stabilizer and 500 mg of L-Tyrosine for
depression ( or about a month). I felt great in the beginning but I am having a
terrible time sleeping and with anxiety and concentration problems. I feel like
I have too much adrenaline in my system but yet I’m so exhausted from not
sleeping. This morning I woke up after only 3 hrs of sleep and was shaking all
over as if I was cold but I wasn’t. I. was thinking of trying the HTP and
cutting the tyrosine in 1/2.
A. Tyrosine can cause insomnia and anxiety. It is not my favorite
natural antidepressant.
Blood pressure, hypertension
Q. I am taking 500mg tyrosine. What effect does it have on blood pressure?
A. Each person is different but it is possible that blood pressure
could slightly be increased by supplementation.
Review and summary, dosage
recommendation
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. Less of a dose of
acetyl-tyrosine is required to achieve the same effects. You have the option to open a capsule and take a
portion if the 500 mg makes you feel too much on the edge and nervous.
Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 2015. Behavioral and cognitive effects of tyrosine intake in healthy human adults. We conducted a systematic review to examine the effects of tyrosine on behavior and cognition. Fifteen studies were reviewed. In most behavioral studies, there were no significant effects of tyrosine on exercise performance. In contrast, cognitive studies employing neuropsychological measures found that tyrosine loading acutely counteracts decrements in working memory and information processing that are induced by demanding situational conditions such as extreme weather or cognitive load. The buffering effects of tyrosine on cognition may be explained by its ability to neutralize depleted brain catecholamine levels. There is evidence that tyrosine may benefit healthy individuals exposed to demanding situational conditions.
Epilepsy, seizures
Q. I was thinking about taking tyrosine pure as it was recommended it may help
my depression. I am reducing my anti-depressant (Pristiq) and decided this might
be helpful. I also have epilepsy. I had 1 grand mal seizure 3 years ago before
that it was 10 years. I am controlled on Lamictal. Is there a correlation
between tyrosine and epilepsy.
A. I have not seen studies that evaluate the safety of this amino
acid in those with epilepsy, and thus do not recommend its use at this time.
Focus and concentration
I have always suffered from concentration problems and I strongly
feel that this has hindered my ability to follow through on various time-bound
work and thinking. I have been taking 500mg of L-Tyrosine in the morning and
afternoon. It has had a positive effect on my focusing, but have decided to try
reducing my dosage since I feel it's somewhat hindered more spontaneity. Do you think it's detrimental to
the metabolism of tyrosine into dopamine to drink caffeine..
High dosages of this amino acid supplement can cause
restlessness, anxiety and insomnia which can be aggravated by consuming
caffeinated drinks.
Grey hair, any
influence?
I read about your article about tyrosine amino acid, i found it great.
That’s is why I wanted to consult you. Actually , my doctor advised me to take
L-tyrosine supplements for treatment for grey hair. I have been taking it for
more than 8 months with no effects. I just want to ask if L-tyrosine amino acid
is really useful for this condition?
I do not believe tyrosine supplements are helpful as a treatment
for grey hair.
Homocystinuria
Are you aware of any contraindication regarding the use
of l-tyrosin in a person who has homocystinuria?
Not that I am aware of. Homocystinuria is an inherited
disorder of the metabolism of the amino acid methionine, often involving
cystathionine beta synthase.
Nursing
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.
Restless legs syndrome
Q. Would tyrosine supplement help my restless syndrome problem? I have a
hard time to sleep maybe 3 to 4 hours a night. And does tyrosine worsen
glaucoma? My glaucoma is under control but I want to make sure that I am not
taking anything that would have bad side effect.
A. I think tyrosine could make restless legs syndrome worse. I
don't think it influences glaucoma much.
Schizophrenia
I
am concerned that excessive consumption of may contribute to schizophrenia (by
contributing to the manufacture of norepinephrine which is implicated in
schizophrenia). Can taking tyrosine trigger this condition in someone who doesn't have it? is there a risk?
We have not seen any evidence of such risk and have not heard
of any such case studies.
Interactions with prescription
medications
Are you aware of any adverse reactions that will occur
when a person takes daily 50 mg Paxil, 450 mg Oxcarbazepine (Trileptal) divided
into 150mg and 300mg doses, 4 mg Ativan (Lorazepam)
and recently added Topamax (topiramate) started at 50 mg, eventually, to 200mg daily? I have been giving this person 500
mg of L-Tyrosine twice daily.
It is not easy to predict adverse effects since different
people taking the same medications can have different benefits and side effects
but we advise caution when mixing supplements and prescription meds.
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".
Research studies
Lack of behavioural effects after acute tyrosine depletion in healthy
volunteers.
J Psychopharmacol. 2005.
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.
Emails
I appreciate you sharing your knowledge with the internet. As a
profiteer of your knowledge, I would like to tell you I am happier, healthier,
and off medication because of your insights. I have been taking L-Tyrosine for
the past year, nearly every day. I would like to try and improve it's
effectiveness by adding other supplements to the formula. How do you account for
supplements reacting with each other? I take 2 grams of tyrosine in the morning
before I run. I would like to add N-acytel-tryosine, Phenylalanine, Citicoline
to the supplement. I was also thinking about adding Glucuronolactone and
Malic Acid for their effect on energy. How do I approach planning for the
synergies of these supplements? Decrease individual doses? I am assuming we need
to decrease doses for each supplement. Thanks for your continue contribution to
this industry.
A. I prefer people take breaks from supplements since few studies
have been done with long term supplementation. My approach is to take 3 days off
from the tyrosine and then begin a new supplement and test it for a couple of
weeks to see how it influences you. Then take a break for another 3 days and
begin a third one. It is better to know the effects of each supplement
separately before combining, and when taking them together to take lower
amounts.
If the amino acid L-Tyrosine
converts to L-Dopa, then would taking it produce the same
effect or result as taking mucuna pruriens herb?
Not really.
Mucuna pruriens has
many other compounds in it.
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?
It
may be ok 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. 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. 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 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. 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. 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. The product I took had high amounts of
5-HTP 300 mg and Tyrosine: 3,000 mg.
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. 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.
Even a small portion of beef contains more tyrosine
than most supplements. Why shouldn't I just eat a burger?
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.
I have seen an ad for Glycyl-L-Tyrosine. How is it
different?
Glycyl-L-Tyrosine is a new one for me. I don't know much
about it and have not seen human studies with it.
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.
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.
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.
I came across your article today on L-Tyrosine and would like some information
if you would be able to help me. For a month I have been taking L-Tyrosine. I
take 500mg in the AM and 1000mg in the PM. I also take a B-complex and C with
rosehips with it as I read these are needed to help with absorption. The main
reason I started taking it is because I have low blood preassure. I have virtigo and the only answer I seem to get is that it is due
to the low blood pressure which no one is concerned about. I do experience some
anxiety issues and who wouldn't mind losing some weight so it has other benefits
that worked for me as well. I have not had my blood pressure checked in the
past month but I do appear to be having less room spinning. Is
there a problem with 1500mg of L-Tyrosine or is there a better answer?
A. L tyrosine pills, in high dosages, can cause heart rhythm
disturbances in some people, and if taken later in the day may cause shallow
sleep.
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.
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.