Tyrosine is classified as a nonessential amino acid produced in the body from phenylalanine.Tyrosine supports and assists neurotransmitters in the brain. When the body is stressed out, aged, or tired the availability of L-Tyrosine is depleted.
Its importance is in its function as a nutritional ingredient for the synthesis of the neurotransmitters epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine. Tyrosine is also needed to produce a number of important hormones including thyroxin, which has an important role in regulating the metabolism, skin health, mental health, and human growth rate. It is also helps in suppressing appetite and reducing body fat, production of skin and hair pigment and has a positive affect on thyroid, pituitary and adrenal gland.
*Precursor to neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine (adrenaline) and melanin.
*Effective anti-depressant for norepinephrine-deficient depressions. Tyrosine is preferred over Phenylalanine, which is also a precursor to all of the above neurotransmitters. Phenylalanine is one step removed from the metabolic process, and can aggravate high blood pressure.
*Precursor to Thyroxine and growth hormone.
*Increases energy, improves mental clarity and concentration.
*Requires pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P5P) a form of vitamin B6 to be converted into norepinephrine. P5P deficiency will lower norepinephrine levels, even if Tyrosine levels are normal.