What does this rating mean?
Tyrosine is an amino acid, one of the building blocks of protein. Tyrosine is found in protein-rich foods like meat, fish, eggs, dairy products and beans.
Tyrosine is used by the body to make the neurotransmitter (chemical messenger) noradrenaline. Noradrenaline is believed to be in short supply in the brains of people who are depressed.
There is only one good scientific study on tyrosine as a treatment for depression. Participants in this study were 65 adults with clinicla depression. They were treated with either tyrosine supplements, an antidepressant medication (imipramine) or a placebo (dummy pill). Tyrosine was no more effective than the placebo at reducing depression.
While tyrosine seems to be well tolerated, tyrosine supplements could cause side effects in some people. Like all supplements, it’s best to talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you are thinking of taking tyrosine to see if it could interfere with any other medication you are taking.
Tyrosine is available as a dietary supplement from health food shops.
On the limited evidence available, tyrosine is not an effective treatment for depression.
Last reviewed and updated: 27 November 2023
These treatments are very useful. They are strongly supported as effective by scientific evidence.
These treatments are useful. They are supported by scientific evidence as effective, but the evidence is not as strong.
These treatments are promising and may be useful. They have some evidence to support them, but more evidence is needed to be sure they work.
These treatments have not been properly researched. It is not possible to say whether they are useful or not.