Nowadays, it has become common for people to take supplements as they don’t get enough adequate nutrients from their diet. Often used in products like energy drinks, supplements, and nootropics, several studies have proved that the nonessential amino acid-like L-tyrosine is an antecedent for the essential neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine.
Researchers believe that PVL supplements like tyrosine can help in improving cognitive performance, learning, memory, and productivity. It can also be beneficial during times of cognitive challenge or severe stress. But what is tyrosine, and what are its benefits? Continue reading to learn in detail about L-tyrosine.
What Exactly Is L-Tyrosine?
Tyrosine is a nonessential amino acid naturally produced in the body with the help of another amino acid, phenylalanine. Tyrosine is one of the 20 amino acids used to grow and build protein cells in the body. It acts as the foundation for creating a group of neurotransmitters known as catecholamines. Catecholamines include adrenaline, noradrenaline, dopamine, melatonin, and thyroid hormones.
Dopamine is usually known as a neurotransmitter, and neurotransmitters are nothing but chemical messengers. It helps excite and incite certain signals like stress, anxiety, and fear in the brain and central nervous system. On the other hand, the neurotransmitter is associated with suitable mechanisms in the brain, which incites feelings like learning, achievement, pleasure, or heightened arousal.
Tyrosine is also responsible for being the foundation of another catecholamine, epinephrine which helps the body fight against stress or/and fear. It also helps create norepinephrine, increasing heart rate and blood pressure. Norepinephrine directly affects your attention, focus, alertness, decision-making, and arousal. Tyrosine is also used to produce thyroid hormones and melanin for the skin’s pigment.
Benefits Of L-Tyrosine
Helps With Cognitive Performance and Stress
Studies show that tyrosine acts as an adaptogen that helps reduce stress and anxiety. Tyrosine by PVL passes through the blood-brain barrier. There it is absorbed and converted into dopamine by enzymatic reaction, then converted to dopamine. Norepinephrine and dopamine can be diminished under stressful situations, and research suggests that tyrosine can help restore and increase dopamine levels in the body.
The human brain needs tyrosine to make hormones like dopamine, which are vital for cognitive functions like learning and memory. Many researchers believe that co-dependency of functionality can be linked to tyrosine for better brain functioning.
For example, a small study found that the tyrosine effects on cognitive ability and flexibility in certain situations improved the mental capacity to work. Cognitive ability or flexibility is defined as the ability to switch between thoughts, tasks, or procedures. The better the cognitive flexibility, the higher the level of concentration and productivity. So consider taking tyrosine from PVL ISO gold if you want to increase your cognitive flexibility.
Another study was conducted to see the effects of tyrosine on cognitive performance during sleep deprivation or extended wakefulness. Prospects performed certain tasks throughout the night, even after 24 hours of sleep deprivation. Results showed that a single dose of about 150 mg of tyrosine helped those who couldn’t sleep stay alert for three hours longer than usual.
Athletic Performance
Cognitive and mental functions are critical in athletic performance. Staying alert and focused and having more cognitive flexibility are of prime importance in organized sports and long-endurance training as well. For example, cross-fit consists of continuously varied high-velocity and functional training movements, high-volume, and Olympic weight lifting. Constant movements between lifts and execution of correct lifting forms require high cognitive flexibility and focus.
Lifting heavy objects and combining highly intense aerobic and gymnastic movements will cause extreme fatigue, remembering the workout program. While experiencing extreme fatigue is considerably difficult and requires mental focus, processing, and cognitive flexibility. Research suggests that increased dopamine levels can improve one’s capacity for prolonged exercise.
Another study showed that supplementation like tyrosine by PVL ISOgold could increase exercise and workout capacity in heat and humidity. Eight male participants underwent two different trials simultaneously and consumed either 150 mg of tyrosine per kg of their body weight or the same drink with a 500 mg placebo. The results then showed that a standard amount of tyrosine supplementation is associated with better endurance capacity in the heat in moderately trained participants.
Many other studies also showed that the effects of PVL protein tyrosine on norepinephrine and dopamine could induce greater athletic performance, mental ability, and flexibility. However, the main effect of L-tyrosine is that it has been associated with acute effects in controlling a decline in cognitive function when it comes to physical stress.
Increase Memory
As mentioned earlier, the human brain depends on tyrosine to make catecholamines, a hormone responsible for learning and memory. So, there is a direct association and correlation between tyrosine and brain function. But, some studies have shown that tyrosine has great benefits on memory and may affect younger adults while having zero effects on older adults.
According to e-Neuro, aging affects the functioning of dopamine in the brain and is also responsible for other cognitive changes that occur as people get older. So, you might have noticed older adults having problems with learning, memorizing, and showing signs of conditions like forgetting, memory loss, etc.
Nevertheless, a higher intake of PVL BCAA tyrosine helps in improving mental performance in younger people. It provides great cognitive ability and flexibility, and mental processing. Children and teenagers should be given 150 mg of tyrosine so that it helps sharpen their skills and cognitive ability. A single dose of tyrosine can help them learn and memorize their academic lessons.
Food Products Rich In Tyrosine
Adults should consume phenylalanine and tyrosine combined in a total amount of 14 mg per kilogram of body weight every day. These two substances are combined because they work together in the body. You don’t have to worry if you eat a healthy and balanced diet. Chances are you are less likely to be tyrosine deficient. As tyrosine is an amino acid, it can be easily found in food products rich in protein, and they are:
Sesame Seeds: Sesame seeds are highly rich in tyrosine. They have essential components like magnesium, zinc, and vitamin B6, and all these nutrients support memory and alertness.
Cheese: If you see a white crystal formation on the surface of old cheese, it’s tyrosine. Cheese is so rich in tyrosine that it appears on the surface.
Meat And Poultry: When it comes to protein, you automatically think of meat such as pork, lamb, beef, and poultry. They are all good sources of protein and have high concentrations of tyrosine.
Soybean: Soybeans are protein-rich food as it contains all the essential amino acids. This also means that it contains phenylalanine and, of course, tyrosine.
Nuts: Those who follow vegan diets can still get plenty of tyrosine from Nuts. Nuts are also highly rich in nutrients, protein, and omega-3 fats.
Wrapping Up
Tyrosine is an important amino acid that helps the body build melanin, dopamine, thyroid, etc. Therefore, it is incredibly beneficial for cognitive flexibility and athletic performance. You can easily get tyrosine from a balanced diet. But if the food fails to give you enough tyrosine, consider taking tyrosine supplements like PVL glutamine.
