L-Tyrosine Deficiency Symptoms + Warning Signs of Low Dopamine

While there are other possible causes, in some cases, erratic mood and difficulty maintaining energy may actually be an L-Tyrosine deficiency in disguise. This will come as news to most people, as L-Tyrosine has still yet to break through as a mainstream supplement.

However, this basic amino acid is produced naturally in the human body, and is responsible for a range of essential biochemical functions. A new focus upon this natural compound’s ability to impact mood is starting to transform this relatively obscure amino acid into a more commonly used mood enhancer supplement.

This article will take a look at how L-Tyrosine works under healthy conditions, and what happens when levels become unbalanced. We’ll also recommend some easy and effective ways to combat deficiency of L-Tyrosine. Read on to find out more.

Tyrosine

Amino Acid

Motivation

Mental Focus

Mood

How It Works:

• Supports energy & motivation
• Promotes focus & mental clarity
• Improves mood & stress response

Dosage:

Between 500 - 2000 mg per day

Safety:

Rated Likely Safe

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What Is L-Tyrosine’s Role in the Body?

L-Tyrosine is one of 22 amino acids which the body uses to build proteins. It is created through the breakdown of another amino acid, Phenylalanine.

L-Tyrosine’s main functionality occurs within cell membranes, particularly nerve cells found in the brain. In these membranes, L-Tyrosine maintains cells’ ability to send and receive messages.

L-Tyrosine supports the health of cell membranes, making it easy for biochemical messages to pass in and out. L-Tyrosine also is key in the production of various key neurotransmitters, especially the catecholamine hormones.

Catecholamines are amines that are used in the body as neurotransmitters and hormones. The primary catecholamines are Dopamine, Epinephrine (Adrenaline), and Norepinephrine (Noradrenaline). Tyrosine is a precursor to Dopamine and Norepinephrine. Epinephrine is derived from Norepinephrine, making Tyrosine an indirect precursor of this hormone as well.

These chemicals are connected to the body’s many responses to stress and danger. High levels of Epinephrine and Norepinephrine are associated with the “fight or flight” response that occurs when we become stressed.

More balanced levels of Dopamine, Epinephrine, and Norepinephrine can cause feelings of energy and improve metabolism. We also see increased sensitivity to stimulus with these substances, such as heightened physical senses.

By increasing production of these hormones, while simultaneously regulating their reuptake, L-Tyrosine ensures that hormone levels are neither too high nor too low. L-Tyrosine deficiencies can contribute to imbalanced stress responses, such as high blood pressure and inflammation of tissues.

Why Do We Need L-Tyrosine?

Adequate levels of L-Tyrosine are necessary for even the most basic cognitive functions. Cellular communication is the basis for all activity in the brain. The brain’s instructions for all conscious and unconscious regulatory mechanisms relies on excellent nerve cell health.

With abundant L-Tyrosine, thinking, reasoning, and recall all move fluidly and swiftly. Chaotic thoughts or scattered attention span can also be remedied with strong levels of L-Tyrosine.

When it comes to mood issues, an L-Tyrosine deficiency can open the door to more serious emotional imbalances like depression symptoms. If levels of the neurotransmitter Dopamine are low, a corresponding dip in mental energy and ambition may be experienced.

Conversely, if Norepinephrine is not regulated and spikes, anxiety and ADHD-like symptoms canpresent and become very exaggerated. While L-Tyrosine is not the only contributing factor to these conditions, it can act as a potent defense against them if levels of the compound are at appropriate levels.

L-Tyrosine Deficiency Symptoms

How do you know if you are suffering from an L-Tyrosine deficiency? This can be a confusing question for most people as the symptoms can be tied to many physical and mood disorders.

Because Tyrosine is a precursor to thyroid hormones, a deficiency in Tyrosine can mimic or even cause hypothyroidism symptoms.

Mentally, the telltale signs of an L-Tyrosine imbalance are lethargy, apathy, and depressed mood. Physically, symptoms include muscle weakness and shrinkage despite exercise, flu-like symptoms, fat loss, liver issues, and sudden loss of hair pigmentation.

One group of people who run a high risk of L-Tyrosine deficiency are those who have the condition Phenylketonuria (PKU). PKU is a genetic condition in which the body is unable to breakdown Phenylalanine, leading to elevated levels in the blood. Untreated, this can lead to cognitive impairments and other serious health issues.

The most common course of treatment for PKU is to remove foods from the diet that contain Phenylalanine, most specifically high protein foods. This also means that most sources of Tyrosine are limited too, and there will be no Phenylalanine to use as an additional Tyrosine precursor source.

People with PKU often have to take protein supplements that contain other necessary amino acids except Phenylalanine. They may also eat L-Tyrosine enriched foods or supplement with this amino acid directly.

Aside from people with PKU, a Tyrosine deficiency is quite rare in the developed world. Typically enough Tyrosine is consumed in the diet alone. Additionally, in non-PKU people, Phenylalanine from the diet can be converted into L-Tyrosine in the body, which can meet demands if consumption of Tyrosine rich foods is lacking.

However, if you are concerned you may be suffering from a Tyrosine deficiency, then speak to your doctor to help determine if this is in fact the case. Your doctor will be able to help determine why your Tyrosine levels are low and a course of action to raise levels through diet and/or supplementation.

Correcting L-Tyrosine Deficiency with Diet and Supplements

Most imbalances of L-Tyrosine levels in the body can be improved and maintained with the diet.

Traditionally, humans have consumed many L-Tyrosine rich foods, such as spinach, eggs, cheese, turkey, chicken, and tuna. Avocados and bananas can also contribute to healthy levels.

Unfortunately, once an L-Tyrosine deficiency has taken hold, one would have to consume copious amounts of any of these foods to restore balance.

This is because of the relatively low bioavailability of L-Tyrosine in food. The compound can cross the blood-brain barrier, but not very easily, as it has to compete for transport with the other amino acids in food. Additionally, a large amount of the Tyrosine in food is degraded during digestion before it would even reach the brain.

In severe deficiency situations, smart supplementation may be useful. This should be done under the supervision of a doctor to help get levels back to normal in a safe manner.

It is believed that by taking L-Tyrosine alone, it does not have to compete for transport across the blood-brain barrier and higher amounts may be able to reach the brain. L-Tyrosine’s precursor in the body, DL-Phenylalanine, can also cross the blood brain barrier, and can be another route to indirectly supplement L-Tyrosine.

Another strategy is to take L-Tyrosine in concert with complementary supplements which augment its effects. For example, the popular neural health combo pill Alpha Brain adds L-Tyrosine to a blend which includes L-Theanine and Oat Straw.

Recommended Dosages to Take

Because L-Tyrosine deficiencies are rare but may be tied to serious conditions like clinical depression and hypothyroidism, it is always recommended that you seek the guidance of a medical doctor if you suspect a deficiency.

If they do believe that you have an L-Tyrosine deficiency, gently adding forms of the compound into your routine via all of the methods described may be a good place to start.

Increasing natural food sources of L-Tyrosine as well as trying nootropic stacks which feature L-Tyrosine and complementary compounds may restore mood and energy levels to a normal baseline. Starting gradually with a total of 500 – 1000 mg of L-Tyrosine per day may be recommended. If no negative side effects are noted but symptoms of L-Tyrosine deficiency do not improve, then a higher dosage may be used.

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