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Posted on July 8, 2008 by Mark Adams | Posted under Nutrition
TYROSINE and TRYPTOPHAN
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Twenty amino acids are utilized by our bodies as the necessary building blocks of protein. Of the twenty, eleven can be synthesized and are considered to be non-essential, while the other nine “essential" amino acids must be ingested on a daily basis either through diet or supplements. Tyrosine can be synthesized from the essential amino acid phenylalanine and so is considered to be a non-essential amino acid; it is found in animal meat, wheat products, oatmeal and seafood, and is important to overall metabolic function. A precursor of adrenaline, epinephrine, and dopamine, which regulate mood and stimulates metabolism and the nervous system, tyrosine acts as a mood elevator. It also helps to suppress the appetite and reduces body fat, and aids in the production of melanin, which is responsible for hair and skin color, and has recently been shown to be an effective sleep aid. Tyrosine also aids in the functions of the adrenal, thyroid, and pituitary glands, and has been used to combat chronic fatigue, narcolepsy, anxiety, depression, low sex drive. Working in harmony with tyrosine is the essential amino acid tryptophan. Tryptophan increases the amount of serotonin in the brain, allowing crucial “serotonin neural circuits" to function more effectively and with greater reliability. In this sense, tryptophan mirrors the results of Prozac - by increasing the amount of serotonin in the brain, these serotonin nerve circuits are more numerous and stronger, and are then responsible for feelings of calm and well-being, as well as relaxation and confidence. By acting as a counter-balance to dopamine and noradrenalin circuits, tryptophan's boost to serotonin circuits decreases tendencies to over-excitement, tension, anxiety and aggression. Those who have serious serotonin deficiencies often exhibit a wide range of emotional and behavioral troubles, including depression, alcoholism, violence, aggression and even compulsive gambling. In a normal diet, tryptophan turns out to be the least plentiful of the amino acids. Those with even slight deficiencies in the vitamin B3 (niacin) will wind up expending large amounts of scarce tryptophan to replace the missing vitamin, leaving the brain with access to less than 1% of normally ingested tryptophan. The most successful non-supplemental strategy to increase the ingestion of tryptophan is to eat a high carbohydrate diet. Large amounts of carbohydrates leads to high production of insulin to flush out the resulting elevated blood sugar, which in turns helps to flush out of the body competing amino acids. This allows more tryptophan to reach the brain, and consequently boosts the manufacture of serotonin. The circle is completed when the additional serotonin creates more and stronger neural circuits, and gives the body a feeling of calm and well-being. Perhaps this is why some people instinctively reach for cakes, cookies, pies, ice cream and other high-carbohydrate foods when they are feeling anxious or depressed. The downside of this, of course, is the resultant body fat! Tryptophan and tyrosine create a delicate balance in the brain, a balance that keeps us on a calm and even emotion keel; indeed, this combination of amino acids has even been used to treat cocaine addiction. Since it is so difficult to regulate the ingestion the appropriate amounts of these amino acids, supplements may be the more efficient way to guarantee proper daily intake. About The Author: Tryptophan and Tyrosine Your Liquid Nutrition |
Tags: TRYPTOPHAN, TYROSINE, AMINO ACID SUPPLEMENT
