Tyrosine is one of the body’s nonessential amino acids. That it is nonessential means the body can produce it. For this to happen, another amino acid called phenylalanine is needed. Tyrosine plays several important roles in the body, such as acting as a building block for neurotransmitters and thyroid hormones. If a person takes supplements or eats tyrosine or phenylalanine-rich foods, she can experience tyrosine benefits such as mood enhancement and relief from premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and menopause symptoms.
Tyrosine benefits are not limited to females. They are experienced by every living individual. According the University of Maryland Medical Center, this amino acid is involved in the structure of almost every protein in the body. One of the biggest tyrosine benefits, therefore, is its ability to help a person to live a normal and healthy life.
To see how it does this, the analysis can begin with the brain. Neurotransmitters are chemicals in the brain that allow messages to be passed from one cell to another. These messages allow organs to communicate with the brain and vice versa. Tyrosine is needed for the synthesis of several neurotransmitters such as dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine. This amino acid also plays a role in regulating serotonin levels.
Considering this, it is easy to understand why one of the commonly stated tyrosine benefits is its ability to combat mood disorders. The amino acid has been used to treat general depression and depression associated with menopause. Other menopausal symptoms such as mood swings, loss of appetite, and chronic fatigue may also be positively affected by tyrosine. It has been found to have a similar positive effect when these symptoms arise as a result of PMS.
Tyrosine plays a role in the proper functioning of the body’s pain control system. It stimulates the nervous system and it helps to prevent high levels of stress. Considering all of the mental and neurological tyrosine benefits, it is not difficult to see why it is sometimes used for the treatment of brain disorders such as such as narcolepsy, chronic fatigue syndrome, and Alzheimer’s disease.
The amino acid has also shown promise in being an effective ingredient in the treatment of cocaine abuse. In these instances, benefits were experienced when tyrosine was combined with other ingredients such as trytophan and Imipramine. The result was that cocaine users were noted to have experienced benefits such as successful treatment and prevention of withdrawal associated depression.