Tyrosine

Tyrosine is a naturally occurring amino acid and a precursor for the neurotransmitter dopamine and thyronine (substrate for thyroid hormone). Daniel Amen, MD, is a psychiatrist who has performed over 28,000 SPECT brain scans. Amen reports tyrosine is helpful for depressions, with reduced dopamine levels, and reduced prefrontal cortex blood flow. Reduced dopamine levels often occur in attention deficit disorder, and depressions where sleep, fatigue, lethargy and weight gain are increased. Low blood pressure and lower heart rates can also occur, with dopamine deficiency. Tyrosine may cause increased blood pressure, or pulse and should not be taken if you use monoamine oxidase inhibitors.

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