Tyrosine

An Amino Acid

Description:

Tyrosine is a nonessential amino acid derived from phenylalanine.

Plants/Foods:

• Avocado
• Cheese
• Chicken
• Chocolate
• Cottage cheese
• Duck
• Egg
• Granola
• Oat flakes
• Pork
• Ricotta
• Turkey
• Wheat germ
• Whole milk
• Wild game
• Yogurt

Physiologic Functions:

• Increases appetite in small doses
• Increases libido, due to increased catecholamine levels
• Precursor to hormones such as thyroid and catecholestrogens
• Precursor for melanin
• Precursor to neurotransmitters norepinephrine, epinephrine and dopamine
• Reduces appetite in large doses

Clinical Indications:

• Depression
• Hypothyroidism
• Obesity
• Parkinson's disease
• PMS
• Fatigue due to stress
• Restless leg syndrome
• Substance addiction

Signs and Symptoms of Deficiency:

• Increased appetite
• Pigment abnormalities

Causes of Deficiencies:

• Inborn errors of tyrosine metabolism

Contraindications:

• Schizophrenia

Toxicity and Side Effects:

• Do not take in conjunction with MAO inhibitors
• Toxicity is almost nonexistent with tyrosine alone

Copyright 1998 - 2008 by L. Vicky Crouse, ND and James S. Reiley, ND. All rights reserved (ISSN 1527-0661).