From seemingly too-good-to-be-true weight loss secrets to miracle pre-workout supplements, L-Tyrosine is found in all our health-oriented diets. Safe, efficient, and affordable, it is easily one of the most common components of pre-workouts after good old caffeine, mostly for its dopamine and adrenaline-producing abilities that help us obtain the sought-after focus we require for a good workout.
What is L-Tyrosine?
L-tyrosine is one of the basic amino acids that make up the proteins found in our bodies which can be consumed via supplements or a protein-rich diet. It’s thought to help you produce catecholamines like dopamine and adrenaline to enhance your workout experience while reducing stress and improving focus.
What are its Effects on Dopamine, Motivation, Mood, and Movement?
What’s so special about it and why do we repeatedly see it in all of our pre-workout ingredients list? When metabolized, L-Tyrosine is thought to produce catecholamines such as dopamine and adrenaline and is often used in the production of thyroid hormones[1]. The levels of catecholamines in our bodies are very efficiently regulated. Therefore, increasing the levels of L-Tyrosine through such diets would not necessarily lead to an increase in the production of catecholamines.
Though this may seem like bleak news to avid athletes, L-Tyrosine still can help improve your workout! Certain studies have demonstrated that the amino acid could prolong the effects of dopamine and adrenaline by delaying their depletion[2]. Such results have been noted to aid in cases such as cold stress, psychological stress (tenuous workouts included!) and sleep deprivation at somewhat high doses starting at 150mg/kg[3]. Improvements in memory and attention during these stressful episodes have been recorded, though it does not lead to drastic changes.
So although increasing L-Tyrosine intake doesn’t necessarily produce catecholamines, it’s still an essential building block to them, supporting your body in the process of creating them, meaning during those tough workouts your mental clarity, focus, and perspective of fatigue are affected by the use of L-tyrosine[4]. A study even noted a significant improvement in global ratings of happiness and moods assessed by the Clyde Mood Scale and Profile of Mood States[5]. Due to its stress-decreasing qualities, the amino acid may further help the body shed stress-related weight gain[6].
References:
Wurtman, R. J., & Fernstrom, J. D. (1975). Control of brain monoamine synthesis by diet and plasma amino acids. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 28(6), 638-647.
Deijen, J. B., & Orlebeke, J. F. (1994). Effect of tyrosine on cognitive function and blood pressure under stress. Brain research bulletin, 33(3), 319-323.
Shurtleff, D., Thomas, J. R., Schrot, J., Kowalski, K., & Harford, R. (1994). Tyrosine reverses a cold-induced working memory deficit in humans. Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior, 47(4), 935-941.
Glaeser, B. S., & Melamed, E. (1992). The effect of tyrosine on cognitive performance in healthy elderly adults. Psychopharmacology, 107(3), 358-362.
Deijen, J. B., Wientjes, C. J., Vullinghs, H. F., Cloin, P. A., & Langefeld, J. J. (1999). Tyrosine improves cognitive performance and reduces blood pressure in cadets after one week of a combat training course. Brain research bulletin, 48(2), 203-209.
Duesing, K., Fatemifar, G., Charpentier, G., Marquis, N., & McCargar, L. (2018). Association of L-tyrosine with body fat and body fat composition in individuals with obesity. The FASEB Journal, 32(S1), 447-10.
