L-Tyrosine is the Amino Acid Needed to Maintain a Healthy Mood

When people get depressed, the modern medical answer is to give them antidepressant medications that force the brain to keep dopamine in the gaps between neurons. Acting as an electrical conductor, serotonin helps the brain transmit messages from neuron to neuron, increasing activity, and elevating mood. Dopamine is especially helpful in activating the centers in the brain that feel pleasure after pleasurable activities.

If there simply is not enough dopamine in the brain in the first place, antidepressant medications will not help. The amino acid L-tyrosine is the brain's building block of dopamine and taking L-tyrosine sometimes defeats depression all on its own. Here are key facts to remember about L-tyrosine:

• L-tyrosine benefits depend on when you take the supplement. You should build up your brain's L-tyrosine levels before you take any other antidepressant medication. Taking antidepressants and L-tyrosine at the same time probably will not cause harm, but they will obscure each other's effects. Think of L-tyrosine as home first aid for depression that you start before you escalate to other treatments.
• A typical L-tyrosine dosage is 1,500 mg a day. Taking more is not necessary. Taking less may not be enough to make a difference. It's best to take L-tyrosine on an empty stomach when your body is not processing any other amino acids.
• L-tyrosine benefits are greatest for people who are under stress. L-tyrosine side effects can occur in people who have migraines. Don't take supplemental L-tyrosine if you get migraine headaches or if you are taking L-dopa for Parkinson's disease.

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L-Tyrosine Dosage - Unlike some supplements which can be taken freely without any detrimental effects, the right L-tyrosine dosage should be strictly followed. Through this article, find out what the right dose is and why they need have to be taken as prescribed.

L-Tyrosine Side Effects - Amino acid supplements are generally safe to take, but if you plan on (or already are) taking tyrosine as part of your daily supplementation, here are a few things you might need to know.

Tyrosine Foods - What foods are rich in tyrosine and why do I need to maintain a constant supply of this amino acid? This article hopes to provide you some of the answers that you are looking for regarding tyrosine.