Amino acids
L-Tyrosine
Dopamine precursor
Catecholamine precursor; cognitive resilience under stress. Common dose 500–2000 mg.
What L-Tyrosine does
L-Tyrosine is the precursor to dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine, and thyroid hormones. The strongest case for supplementation is acute cognitive performance under stress — military and lab studies show 100–150 mg/kg roughly an hour before a stressor (sleep deprivation, cold exposure, multitasking under threat) helps maintain working memory and reaction time. There's no clear chronic-supplementation benefit in healthy, non-stressed adults; the brain's tyrosine supply is normally adequate.
Food sources of L-Tyrosine
Approximate L-Tyrosine content per serving. Whole-food intake counts toward your daily total alongside any supplemental dose.
| Food | Serving | L-Tyrosine |
|---|---|---|
| Cooked chicken breast | 3 oz | 1 g |
| Cooked beef | 3 oz | 1 g |
| Cooked salmon | 3 oz | 0.8 g |
| Pumpkin seeds | 1 oz | 0.4 g |
| Almonds | 1 oz | 0.5 g |
| Plain yogurt | 1 cup | 0.5 g |
Signs of L-Tyrosine deficiency
- ●Phenylketonuria (PKU): can't make tyrosine from phenylalanine — needs dietary tyrosine supplementation
- ●Otherwise: not a classical deficiency state
Who needs more L-Tyrosine
Groups and situations where L-Tyrosine requirements rise or status commonly runs low:
- ●Acute stressors that tax working memory: sleep deprivation, cold exposure, sustained vigilance tasks
- ●PKU (clinical management)
- ●Adjunct interest in ADHD and depression (mixed/modest evidence)
How L-Tyrosine appears on labels
Supplement labels list L-Tyrosine under several names depending on the chemical form used. Any of these on an ingredients panel counts toward your L-Tyrosine intake:
- l-tyrosine
- tyrosine
- n-acetyl-l-tyrosine
- nalt
Best supplements for L-Tyrosine
Top-scoring supplements in our catalog that list L-Tyrosine on the label. Each product is graded on Formulate's ingredient-level rubric — dose accuracy, form, transparency, and third-party testing.
Deep dive
For mechanism of action, dosing protocols, evidence grade, and interaction warnings on L-Tyrosine, see the full encyclopedia entry:
L-Tyrosine encyclopedia entry →Frequently asked questions
What is the daily target for L-Tyrosine?
What foods are highest in L-Tyrosine?
What is the best form of L-Tyrosine to supplement?
What are the signs of L-Tyrosine deficiency?
Who is most at risk for low L-Tyrosine?
Related amino acids
Track your full intake
Formulate's free web app aggregates L-Tyrosine (and ~40 other nutrients) across every supplement in your stack — flagging underdoses, overlaps, and upper-limit overshoots in one view.
Track your intake free →Medical disclaimer. This page is educational and does not replace advice from a qualified healthcare provider. Targets and upper limits are general adult reference values; individual needs vary by age, sex, pregnancy status, and clinical context.