Tyrosine
Builds dopamine, adrenaline and thyroid hormones.
What is Tyrosine?
Tyrosine is a conditionally essential amino acid the body makes from phenylalanine. It is the precursor to the catecholamine messengers dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine (adrenaline), as well as thyroid hormones and the pigment melanin.
Health benefits of Tyrosine
- Raw material for dopamine, norepinephrine and adrenaline
- Supports focus, motivation and the stress response
- A building block of thyroid hormones
- Used to make melanin, the body's pigment
Top food sources of Tyrosine
See full rankingCheese and dairy, meat, fish, eggs, soy, nuts and seeds. Values shown per 100 g.
Egg, white, dried, powder, glucose reduced
3,309 mg
Soy protein isolate, PROTEIN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL, SUPRO
3,300 mg
Soy protein isolate, PROTEIN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL, ProPlus
3,300 mg
Soy protein isolate
3,222 mg
Soy protein isolate, potassium type
3,222 mg
Soy protein isolate, potassium type, crude protein basis
3,222 mg
Egg, white, dried
3,153 mg
Egg, white, dried, flakes, glucose reduced
3,089 mg
Seaweed, spirulina, dried
2,584 mg
Cheese, parmesan, grated
2,328 mg
Cheese, parmesan, shredded
2,319 mg
Soy protein concentrate, produced by alcohol extraction
2,301 mg
How much Tyrosine do you need?
There is no separate Daily Value; the WHO requirement combines phenylalanine and tyrosine at about 25 mg per kg of body weight per day.
Tyrosine deficiency
The body usually makes enough from phenylalanine, but people with PKU rely on dietary tyrosine since they cannot make it that way.
Nutrition data per 100 g from the USDA & FooDB databases. Daily Values follow the FDA 2016+ labeling standard for a 2,000-calorie diet. This guide is for general information and is not medical advice.
Frequently asked questions
What does Tyrosine do?
Tyrosine is a conditionally essential amino acid the body makes from phenylalanine. It is the precursor to the catecholamine messengers dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine (adrenaline), as well as thyroid hormones and the pigment melanin.
How much Tyrosine do I need per day?
There is no separate Daily Value; the WHO requirement combines phenylalanine and tyrosine at about 25 mg per kg of body weight per day.
Which foods are highest in Tyrosine?
Per 100 g, some of the richest sources are Egg, white, dried, powder, glucose reduced, Soy protein isolate, PROTEIN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL, SUPRO, Soy protein isolate, PROTEIN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL, ProPlus, Soy protein isolate, Soy protein isolate, potassium type.
What happens if I don't get enough Tyrosine?
The body usually makes enough from phenylalanine, but people with PKU rely on dietary tyrosine since they cannot make it that way.