Tyrosine (as N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine)
What is this known for?
L-Tyrosine is most commonly know to influence adrenaline and dopamine in the brain in order to reduce stress and improve mental performance.
Why are we using it in Power On / BALANCE?
Function #1: L-Tyrosine stimulates the production of dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine.
Tyrosine is a precursor to dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine, which are excitatory neurotransmitters that are also critical for focus, attention, mood, reaction time, motivation, and memory. Alterations in the availability of L-Tyrosine can influence the synthesis of dopamine and norepinephrine.
Prince J. Catecholamine Dysfunction in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology. 2008;28(Suppl. 2):S39-S45. doi:10.1097/jcp.0b013e318174f92a.
Fernstrom, J, Fernstrom M. Tyrosine, phenylalanine, and catecholamine synthesis and function in the brain. The Journal of Nutrition. 2007; 137(5):S1539-S1547.
Function #2: Tyrosine increases cognitive performance during stress
L-Tyrosine appears to effectively improve cognition during short-term stressful and cognitively demanding situations. A study showed that Tyrosine was found to improve the performance on cognitive tasks while subjects were exposed simultaneously to a stressor of a loud sound. Placebo subjects in this same study had lower performance results and maintained a higher blood pressure while subjected to the stress factor.
Deijen J, Orlebeke J. Effect of tyrosine on cognitive function and blood pressure under stress. Brain Research Bulletin. 1994;33(3):319-323. doi:10.1016/0361-9230(94)90200-3.
Young SN. L-Tyrosine to alleviate the effects of stress? Journal of Psychiatry & Neuroscience. 2007;32(3):224.
Function #3: Tyrosine supports a balanced mood
Tyrosine has been extensively studied for its ability to support a more balanced mood, improve performance, and reduce stress and feelings of fatigue.
Banderet LE, Lieberman HR. Treatment with Tyrosine, a Neurotransmitter Precursor, Reduces Environmental Stress in Humans,. Brain Research Bulletin. 1989;22(4):759-762.
McLean A, Rubinsztein JS, Robbins TW, Sahakian BJ. The effects of tyrosine depletion in normal healthy volunteers: implications for unipolar depression. Psychopharmacology. 2004;171(3):286-297. doi:10.1007/s00213-003-1586-8
Leyton M, Young SN, Pihl RO, et al. Effects on Mood of Acute Phenylalanine/Tyrosine Depletion in Healthy Women. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2000;22(1):52-63. doi:10.1016/S0893-133X(99)00086-X
Why this form?
N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine is the acetylated form of the amino acid L-tyrosine, which is more water soluble.
Can be found in
Tyrosine is one of the amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein. Tyrosine is naturally occurring in the body but can also be found in dairy products, meats, fish, eggs, nuts, beans, oats, and wheat.