Tyrosine: Functions

The amino acid tyrosine is a semi-essential amino acid.

For newborns and children, the amino acid tyrosine is essential, because at this age the own production from phenylalanine is not yet possible. Adult humans can produce it in the body, which means that tyrosine is not essential for adults.

In the adrenal medulla, the hormone adrenaline, which contributes, for example, to an increase in blood pressure, dilation of the bronchial tubes and an increase in energy metabolism, and the hormone noradrenaline are formed from L-tyrosine. Furthermore, the important thyroid hormones are formed from tyrosine.

Tyrosine thus contributes to the formation of important hormone-like agents and neurotransmitters with invigorating and drive-increasing effects.