Tyrosine

Tyrosine is an essential amino acid that is synthesized from phenylananine. It is important for many properties including certain neurotransmitters, the thyroid and skin pigmentation.

=Properties= -Present in the structure of almost all body cells -Precursor of neurotransmitters -Thyroid Hormones: T4 and T3 -Increases proteoglycans -Catechol estrogens -Lipoproteins -Antioxidant

=Complements= -Folic Acid -Vitamins B3, B6, C -Copper Also needed to synthesize neurotransmitters: biopterin and magnesium

=Antagonists= -Lithium

=Therapeutic Indications= -Parkinson's Dis-ease -Vitiligo (melanin deficiency) -Depression -Environmental and psychological stress -Muscle Loss -Weakness -Low Protein Levels -Mood Disorders -Liver Disorder -Phenylketonuria

=Contraindications= None Known

=Side Effects= None Known

=Deficiency Symptoms= -Apathy -Edema -Lethargy -Weakness -Depigmentation -Loss of muscle and fat -Damage to the liver -Skin lesions

=Food Sources= -Avocados -Meat -Cheese -Cottage Cheese -Powdered Milk -Lima Beans -Peanuts -Dried Herring -Wheat Germ -Bananas -Very little:almonds, oats, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds

=Therapeutic Dose= 500-3000mg./day

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============================================================================= //Medical Nutrition://

TYROSINE • -Made with folate (biopterin is the active derivative), niacin (NADH) /VitC/Cu • Made into glutamate stimulating neurotransmitters dopamine dopamine, NE, Epi. Also thyroid is formed with tyrosine as are melatonin, melanin, and enkephalins. The catechol ring is characteristic of Tyrosine.

• RDA: 1gm/day

Treatment
• 1-10 gm/ day • Depression 500-10,000 mg – careful yang tonic • Narcolepsy • Inc. physical performance (Tyr lowered with stress) • Can increase or decrease CVD BP –so need to use with caution (Deficient people) • Used with yohimbine, can increase sex drive • Decreased appetite • Stress conditions will support catecholamine production- Careful with deficiency • Addictions • Parkinson’s – can support if excretion of tyrosine causes deficiency • Toxicity- very low, although can stimulate catecholamine synthesis in already over stressed patients
 * • Interactions: Not to be used with MAOI antidepressants-> hypertensive crisis**

**Obesity**
• - 900 PEOPLE DIE /DAY of illnesses connected to being overweight – is a common symptom with autoimmune disorders • Assessment: -Weight • -Increases waist to hip ratio • -Waist >36” for women, >40 for men (> = Insulin resistance syndrome) • -BMI <23 good, 23-25 good, >26 Moderate obese (20lbs -extra), >30 morbid obese (30+lb extra) • -Body fat composition – 19-22% men, 22-27 women • > 30 BMI see marked increases in CAD, DM, Cancer, arthritis • 80% respond to healthy diet, exercise and not smoking • (Aside from Prader Willy and abuse related dietary syndromes) • - Lifestyle – Endocrine – thyroid, adrenal, estrogen, testosterone, BS/Pancreas – Metabolic syndrome – High BP, low HDL, High triglycerides, fatigue – Hepatotoxicity – Inflammation Infections – Food hypersensitivity – Shiners, sinusitis…. – Neurotransmitter • Evaluate and set up a plan • Intake of calories 1 pound / 3500 calories avoided or burned • 250cal per 1/2hr walking • -Evaluate diet and see where weak points are. – Poor food choices – HFCS, bad fats, -sugar, simple carbs, overeating. • -Choose exercise that includes fun • -Decide time line, amount of weight loss desired, goal of how much per week. • Eat nutrient rich foods, fresh whole organic, local, and seasonal, -unsalted nuts, eggs, veggies, legumes, nonallergens, seaweed, (careful with peas, carrots, corn, potatoes – anything with a high glycemic reaction for you and anything that makes you sleepy or grumpy after eating)
 * Treatment**
 * LIFESTYLE:**

• Serotonin is an amine Nt that is synthesized by our body from tryptophan (5ht). • Its intermediate step is 5HTP. • To make serotonin we need B6 and Mg++ when converting from 5HT • It is also difficult to absorb tryptophan if there is gut inflammation. • The carrier protein that brings tryptophan across the gut wall gets easily disrupted. • Without tryptophan and the productions of serotonin, we have difficulty with feeling happy and peaceful which proper amounts of serotonin allows. • Taking tryptophan allows serotonin production and at night the serotonin is converted to melatonin allowing sleep. • During deep sleep is when growth hormone is released inducing body repair IGF1. • Without serotonin levels being appropriate, we feel depressed if catecholamines are low. • We will experience anxiety if catecholamines are high with low • There are serotonin receptors in the gut, in the brain and on white blood cells. • They have inhibitory effects on glutamate like GABA. • Serotonin’s wide neuron connections are important because it integrates many neural circuits. • It is higher in people that tend to be leaders and if it is low people tend towards anti-social. • Thus it affects so many systems when it is in or out of balance. • Eating sugar raises serotonin dramatically • •Functional Medicine Update – March 2002 Dr. Michael Gershon 800-228-0622

• Dopamine is primarily a Nt that exerts excitatory affects via glutamate. ~ FROM TYROSINE • It helps mental focus, learning, euphoria and satisfaction. • Many drugs (cocaine/alcohol/caffeine) stimulate dopamine levels, thus it is known to be involved in drug addiction. • Dopamine has a role in cardiovascular, renal, hormonal, and central nervous system. • Dopamine and serotonin are usually elevated with schizophrenia, autism and a manic bi-polar phase. • Dopamine is low in Parkinson’s and ADD/ADHD.

• Medica Acupuncture Vol17#2, 2006 Obesity study Dr Kay Khoo MD BMI>30 • 96 patients – treated for 12 weeks PC6, ST36, Hunger point (ear seeds pressed 1 time each AM) • Walking/aerobics 20-30 min3x/week. Limit fat to 50grams/day • Acup group lost 72 Kg ; Control lost 36Kg avg. weight loss was 2.6 kg/ control, 4.8kg/ intervention group. • L-Carnitine 1000mg • CLA • Cinnamon/cloves cardamom • Mg • 5htp/ tyrosine/ phenylalanine • Green tea • Hoodia