Tyrosine supplements are commonly used for their beneficial effects on memory, alertness, and learning, particularly under stressful conditions.
They are also used commonly to help with phenylketonuria, which is a disorder where tyrosine is not produced properly by the body.
Besides the above effects, tyrosine is of specific significance in relation to thyroid conditions as it is a precursor protein for the formation of thyroid hormone. Hence, its influence on thyroid needs to be understood properly to enable receiving proper benefits from the supplement.
Tyrosine
Tyrosine is one of the amino acids present in our body, which is produced from the amino acid named phenylalanine. Food sources, such as fish, meats, eggs, dairy products, oats, wheat, beans, and nuts, are rich in tyrosine.
Tyrosine is used by the body to create chemical messengers used for brain activities, including mental alertness. The catecholamines, such as adrenaline and dopamine, are formed by the metabolization of L-Tyrosine.
When taken as a supplement, tyrosine helps in the formation of the catecholamines and helps in delivering the secondary benefits they provide to the body. It also helps in the reduced depletion of catecholamines in stressful situations, including sleep deprivation and cold stress. Thus, it acts as a safety buffer but only when taken in large doses of about 150mg/kg.
With its structural similarity to the thyroid hormone, it is also used as an important ingredient in supplementary products for fat loss. However, when used as a supplement, there is a possibility of tyrosine causing an increase in the level of thyroid hormone, especially when synthetic thyroid hormones are taken by an individual.
Reduction in iodination of tyrosine can result in reduced thyroid hormone, in case of sepsis, as the study published in Intensive Care Medicine Experimental indicates. This shows the effect of amino acid in illnesses of critical nature.
General benefits of L-Tyrosine
Pituitary and adrenal gland functions are enhanced with L-Tyrosine. Tyrosine provides a wide range of benefits, which include its use in treating conditions, such as ADHD, Alzheimer’s disease, narcolepsy, depression, heart disease, erectile dysfunction, and chronic fatigue.
It is also used in treating Parkinson’s disease and in weight loss supplements for its appetite suppressant effect. It is also used in alcohol and cocaine withdrawal treatment. L-Tyrosine also has a beneficial effect on the skin. It enriches melanin pigment needed for skin color and helps in improving hair color and strength. It also helps in minimizing age-related skin damages, including wrinkles. Hence, it is used in skin care products.
How the thyroid benefits from L-Tyrosine
Being a thyroid hormone precursor, L-Tyrosine plays a vital role in balancing the production of thyroid hormone. This property enables creating a reversal of low thyroid hormone condition, which is also known as hypothyroidism. Thus, the supplements are recommended for enhancing thyroid function. While taking the supplements, it is best to take iodine in supplement form or via foods that are rich in iodine, like kelp.
A research article published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation indicates that L-Tyrosine helps to effectively inhibit de-iodination of iodotyrosine and exaggerate the symptoms caused due to reduced intake of iodine. Hence, it is suggested that iodine supplements be taken along with tyrosine for receiving better benefits on thyroid function.
Even with the addition of iodine supplements in diet, many individuals suffer from iodine deficiency and hypothyroidism. This results in uncontrolled weight gain that is hard to reverse, in addition to several other health issues.
When to avoid L-Tyrosine
For people who are under medications of treating thyroid conditions, using L-Tyrosine in supplement form can cause disruption in the action of the thyroid medication. Synthroid, Levoxyl, unithroid, and Levothroid are medications that come under this category.
When taken with the supplements of L-Tyrosine, the medications can lead to overdosage and fatally high thyroxin levels in the body. So, it is best to avoid taking L-Tyrosine in such situations.
Maintaining Thyroid hormone levels with L-Tyrosine
Hypothyroidism caused due to insufficient levels of L-Tyro sine can be treated with foods that are rich in the amino acid such as meat, dairy products, green vegetables, and kale. In situations where the diet is poor, or an individual is dieting, the food sources may not be sufficient to produce the amino acid, which makes it necessary to take the supplementary forms.
This will ensure thyroid function is unaffected. Supplementary forms of L-Tyrosine are available in powder, capsule, and tablet forms.
Final thoughts
L Tyrosine has beneficial effects on thyroid function when not used alongside thyroid medications, such as Synthroid. Further, the effect of the amino acid can be enhanced by the intake of Omega 3 fatty acid containing foods. Avoiding consumption of tobacco and alcohol also helps to enhance the absorption of L-Tyrosine and its effect on balancing the thyroid hormone.
Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, spinach, peanuts, turnips, soybeans, and Brussels sprouts can inhibit thyroid gland function causing L-Tyrosine levels to increase leading to serious consequences. Hence, it is necessary to carefully evaluate your diet and the supplementary products you use when you are taking thyroid medications.
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