Tyrosine
OTHER NAME(S): tyrosine, L-tyrosine
Overview
Tyrosine is an amino acid that is found in many foods. It is also available over the counter as a dietary supplement. Tyrosine is sometimes taken for enhancing mental clarity or helping with seasonal depression or conditions such as phenylketonuria, although its benefits are not well defined. Side effects of tyrosine are not well known. Before taking tyrosine, make sure to tell your health care provider about any health conditions you have or medicines you are taking.
Uses
What is tyrosine used for?
Tyrosine is a dietary supplement that is used for various reasons. However, its benefits are not well defined. Some common reasons for using tyrosine include the following.
- Enhancing mental clarity
- To help with seasonal depression
- To help with conditions where tyrosine levels may be low, such as phenylketonuria (PKU)
Some people use tyrosine for exercise enhancement. However, there is currently no clear evidence that tyrosine improves exercise performance. The benefits of tyrosine for other uses are not well defined.
Note: The FDA has not reviewed tyrosine for safety and effectiveness. Learn more about dietary supplements here.
How does tyrosine work (mechanism of action)?
Tyrosine is an amino acid that is found in many foods. Foods that contain tyrosine include sesame seeds, cheese, soybeans, tofu, and other high-protein foods such as meat, poultry, and fish. Most people in the U.S. get enough tyrosine from the proteins in their diet. The body is also able to make tyrosine on its own from another amino acid called phenylalanine.
Tyrosine is used by your body to make certain chemicals in the brain, such as norepinephrine and dopamine. For this reason, it has gained interest for seasonal depression and improving mental clarity. But the benefits of using tyrosine for these reasons are not well defined.
The body can also turn tyrosine into tyramine, another compound that can be found in certain foods. Tyrosine is also necessary for the body to make proteins, enzymes, and muscle tissue.
In people with phenylketonuria (PKU), the body has trouble breaking down the amino acid phenylalanine, which can cause it to build up in the blood. When there is too much phenylalanine, the body cannot keep the right amount of tyrosine in the blood and brain. Theoretically, taking tyrosine as a dietary supplement might help restore tyrosine in these people, but more research is needed to support this.
How should I store tyrosine?
You should store tyrosine according to the product label. Most dietary supplements should be kept in a cool, dry location that is out of the reach of children and pets and not in direct sunlight.
Side Effects
What are the most common side effects of tyrosine?
Tyrosine seems to be well tolerated, but there is not enough research to know what the common side effects may be. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that bother you.
There may be side effects of tyrosine that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a supplement. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.safetyreporting.hhs.gov or by calling 888-SAFEFOOD (888-723-3366). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.
What are the serious side effects of tyrosine?
While less common, the most serious side effects of tyrosine are described below, along with what to do if they happen.
Severe Allergic Reactions. Tyrosine may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking tyrosine and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.
- Breathing problems or wheezing
- Racing heart
- Fever or general ill feeling
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
- Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
- Itching or skin rash
- Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
- Stomach cramps
- Joint pain
Precautions
Who should not use tyrosine?
Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take tyrosine.
- L-tyrosine
- Tyrosine
- Any of the ingredients in the specific product
Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific tyrosine products they stock.
What should I know about tyrosine before using it?
Tyrosine is found in certain foods. It can also be taken as a dietary supplement in various forms, such as a capsule or tablet that is swallowed, a gummy that is chewed and swallowed, or a powder that is mixed in liquid and swallowed. Dietary supplements cannot be marketed to treat or cure a disease.
Read and follow the directions on the specific product you are taking, or take it as recommended by your health care provider.
Keep tyrosine out of the reach of children.
If you are taking tyrosine powder, use an appropriate measuring device to measure the powder, such as the device included with the product. Read the label carefully, and measure the amount stated on the label. Mix the powder with a glass of liquid, such as water or juice.
The FDA has not tested tyrosine products to confirm that they contain the ingredients stated on their labels. Some dietary supplements have been tested by third-party organizations to confirm that they contain the ingredients listed on their labels and do not contain any harmful chemicals. Learn more about how to choose a safe dietary supplement product here.
What should I tell my health care provider before using tyrosine?
Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if tyrosine is right for you.
Other Medicines and Supplements.Tyrosine may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking tyrosine, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.
Liver Problems. The liver helps break down and process tyrosine. People with liver problems might have trouble with this process, which could lead to higher amounts of tyrosine in the blood. Tell your health care provider if you have liver problems before taking tyrosine.
Thyroid Problems.Tyrosine may change the amount of thyroid hormone in your body. Tell your health care provider if you have thyroid problems before taking tyrosine.
Pregnancy. It is not known if or how tyrosine could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
Breastfeeding.Tyrosine passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
Interactions
Does tyrosine interact with foods or drinks?
There are no known interactions between tyrosine and foods or drinks.
It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect tyrosine.
Does tyrosine interact with medicines (drug interactions)?
Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.
In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking tyrosine.
- A thyroid medicine, such as levothyroxine or liothyronine, which is used to raise thyroid hormone levels
- A monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) within the past two weeks, which is a medicine usually used for depression or Parkinson’s disease
The interactions between tyrosine and medicines are not fully understood. As with most dietary supplements, the research on drug interactions with tyrosine is incomplete. Always check with your health care provider before taking tyrosine with any medicines.
Dosing
What should I do if I accidentally use too much tyrosine?
If you or someone else has used too much tyrosine, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.
Tyrosine is available in many forms, such as a tablet, capsule, or powder. When taking tyrosine, follow the instructions provided on the package label. Consult with a health care provider about how to take tyrosine safely. Do not take double or extra doses, even if you miss a dose.
References
- Archives of Women’s Mental Health: “No effect of oral tyrosine on total tyrosine levels in breast milk: implications for dietary supplementation in early postpartum.”
- Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews: “Tyrosine supplementation for phenylketonuria.”
- Health Psychology Research: “Clinically relevant drug interactions with monoamine oxidase inhibitors.”
- International Journal of Circumpolar Health: “Psychoneuroendocrine effects of combined thyroxine and triiodothyronine versus tyrosine during prolonged Antarctic residence.”
- Nutritional Neuroscience: “Effects of tyrosine, phentermine, caffeine D-amphetamine, and placebo on cognitive and motor performance deficits during sleep deprivation.”