Dear blog readers,
Many of you will no doubt be familiar with the non-essential amino acid tyrosine, but may not realize the far-reaching benefits that supplementation can have.
As a precursor of DOPA, dopamine, catecholamines (e.g. noradrenaline and adrenaline), melanin, thyroxine and tyramine, tyrosine has a very wide range of effects.
The effect on the endogenous synthesis of these neurotransmitters and hormones is the main reason for the supplementation of tyrosine, which in practice ranges from drug treatment to the improvement of concentration and mood to the improvement of athletic performance.
This article deals with the sporting aspect of tyrosine supplementation.
Tyrosine and sport
Drive and energy
By synthesizing activating neurotransmitters and hormones (noradrenaline, adrenaline, dopamine), tyrosine puts the body in a state of increased motivation, which benefits not only mental (see below) but also physical (endurance training was examined) stress, especially in the case of a sleep deficit.
The combination of tyrosine and caffeine is particularly potent, as tyrosine also reinforces and prolongs the invigorating (and performance-enhancing) effect of caffeine.
Thermogenesis and fat loss
A study also shows that tyrosine and caffeine in combination with capsaicin and catechins cause a significant thermogenic effect that lasts for four hours and leads to an increase in calorie consumption, which ultimately benefits a diet.
However, tyrosine, as a starting substance for the thyroid hormones thyroxine and tyramine, also plays a significant role in effective fat loss when supplemented individually.
In addition, tyrosine also has appetite-reducing and mood-enhancing properties, which additionally supports the stamina of diets and long-term fat loss.
Concentration and mental focus
A number of studies and publications have shown that tyrosine improves willpower, assertiveness, alertness and concentration, which is very beneficial for a goal-oriented mental focus during training and is also reported by many athletes.
Conclusion
Tyrosine is a highly interesting amino acid which, in supplement form, can make an important contribution on the way to maximum performance.
The combination of tyrosine and caffeine is particularly potent, which works synergistically and therefore forms the basis of good workout boosters or fat burners.
Tyrosine also makes sense outside of sport when the concentration-enhancing and mood-enhancing properties are desired.
With sporting greetings
Your Peak Team
Sources
Belza, A., et al - Body fat loss achieved by stimulation of thermogenesis by a combination of bioactive food ingredients: a placebo-controlled, double-blind 8-week intervention in obese subjects. International Journal of Obesity. 2006.
Braverman, Eric R. - The Healing Nutrients Within. Keats Publishing, New Canaan, Connecticut, USA. 1997:65-66.
Erdmann, Robert & Jones, Meirion. - The Amino Revolution. Century Hutchinson. London, United Kingdom. 1987:119.
Firshein, R. - The Nutraceutical Revolution. Riverhead Books via Penguin Putnam Inc, New York, USA. 1998:200.
Grevet, E. H., et al. - Behavioral effects of acute phenylalanine and tyrosine depletion in healthy male volunteers. J Psychopharmacol. 16(1):51-55, 2002.
Harris, A., et al. - Effect of L-tyrosine and exercise on eating behavior. Journal of the American College of Nutrition. 1983.
Magill, R. A., et al. - Effects of tyrosine, phentermine, caffeine D-amphetamine, and placebo on cognitive and motor performance deficits during sleep deprivation. Nutr Neurosci. 6(4):237-246, 2003. Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.
Neri, D. F., et al. - The effects of tyrosine on cognitive performance during extended wakefulness. Aviat Space Environ Med. 66(4):313-319, 1995.
Owasoyo, J. O., et al. - Tyrosine and its potential use as a countermeasure to performance decrement in military sustained operations. Aviat Space Environ Med. 63(5):364-369, 1992.
Reeves, P. G., et al. - The effect of dietary tyrosine levels on food intake in zinc-deficient rats. Journal of Nutrition. 114(4):761-767, 1984.
