Tyrosine by Ray Sahelian, M.D. (learn about natural medicine)

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Tyrosine by Ray Sahelian, M.D. (learn about natural medicine)

Posted by: " JoAnn Guest " angelprincessjo angelprincessjo

Thu Sep 21, 2006 5:40 pm (PST)

 

Tyrosine by Ray Sahelian, M.D. (learn about natural medicine)

 

 

Tyrosine information by Ray Sahelian, M.D

 

 

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 arousal.

 

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. Phenylalanine may

trigger the release of an appetite-suppressin g 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. See a few paragraphs below for a full list of

potential side effects.

 

Phenylalanine -->

Phenylpyruvic acid

â

L Tyrosine

â

L-Dopa

â

Dopamine

â

Norepinephrine

â

Epinephrine

 

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.

 

N-Acetyl Tyrosine supports brain function by improving the synthesis

of the catecholamines norepinephrine and dopamine

(neurotransmitters) .

 

• 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.

Click Tyrosine above in blue for more information

 

L Tyrosine Side effects

Overstimulation, restlessness, anxiety, insomnia, heart palpitations

or arrhythmia are side effects that occur from high doses of

tyrosine. These can occur in sensitive individuals in as low a dose

as 200 mg.

 

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 over-

stimulation. irritability, restlessness, anxiety, and heart rhythm

irregularities. Some users find that it enhances their mood. N-

Acetyl-Tyrosine is a a good alternative to tyrosine. Less of a dose

of acetyl-tyrosine is required to achieve the same effects as

tyrosine without the acetylation. 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. 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.

 

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, age, smoking, exercise patterns, sleep patterns, etc.

 

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. 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 a very high dose. Side effects

could include irritability, anxiety, heart irregularities and

perhaps over the long run could have a pro oxidant effect on

certain brain cells, but this is just my 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. tyrosine kinase

inhibitor effects side tyrosine l tyrosine side effects receptor

tyrosine kinase benefit l tyrosine.

 

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. tyrosine l tyrosine kinase.

 

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 called _______, 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

 

We are 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. 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 agagents, directed at cellular signalling

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 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.

 

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 blood studies or other

tests that can be done to find out which supplement will provide

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.

 

 

2. (T4 is tyrosine plus 4 iodine molecules, while T3 is tyrosine

plus

Posted by: " JoAnn Guest " angelprincessjo angelprincessjo

Thu Sep 21, 2006 5:57 pm (PST)

(T4 is tyrosine plus 4 iodine molecules, while T3 is tyrosine plus

three iodine molecules.)

 

If the hypothalamus fails to secrete TRH,

the pituitary's fail-safe system takes over.

 

The pituitary checks up

on the hypothalamus by sampling the amount of T3 passing through its

own circulation as it converts inactive T4 into T3. If its T3 levels

drop, the pituitary gland secretes TSH, which triggers the thyroid

to produce and release T4, thus quickly rectifying the situation.