Tyrosine is a nutrient precursor for the synthesis of dopamine, an important neurotransmitter -- a chemical that relays signals between nerve cells in the brain. Dopamine reduction in the brain is associated with many neurological disorders, including epilepsy, according to a 2005 "Medical Hypothesis" journal article. You replenish lost tyrosine in two ways: Your body makes it and you also obtain it from your diet.
About Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder involving the brain's electrical system. In normal brain function, billions of nerve cells communicate with each other through electrical activity. In patients with epilepsy, brain neurons fire in an uncontrollable manner, disrupting the brain's normal electrical function; this may temporarily affect a person's consciousness, bodily movements or sensation.
Myoclonic epilepsy
Myoclonic epilepsy is a rare form of epilepsy characterized by quick movements or sudden jerking of a group of muscles such as the fingers or large muscles in the arms and legs. The underlying genetic and molecular mechanisms that give rise to myoclonic epilepsy are not clearly understood. However, molecular biology studies have shown that mutations in genes that code for protein tyrosine phosphatase can cause myoclonic epilepsy, notes the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.
Metabolic Disorders
Individuals with metabolic diseases may have a genetic defect that impairs the functions of enzymes that your body needs to transform chemicals. For example, phenylketonuria, or PKU, is a defect of phenylalanine metabolism. It is due to partial or complete deficiency of phenylalanine hydroxylase, an enzyme involved in the conversion of phenylalanine to tyrosine. A deficiency of tyrosine can have damaging effects on the developing brain, which in turn may cause profound mental retardation and seizures, notes MayoClinic.com.
Tyrosine Foods
Food is the best source of tyrosine, but you may need to take supplements to achieve the recommended levels. Eating a protein-rich diet is a good way to obtain tyrosine. Tyrosine can come from both plant and animal sources including beef, chicken, duck, lamb, soybeans, peanuts, avocados, bananas and pumpkin seeds.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Tyrosine
- "Medical Hypothesis"; Epilepsy and Migraine: The Dopamine Hypotheses; Shih-Cheng Chen; November 2005
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Epilepsy
- University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center: Lafora Body Disease
- MayoClinic.com: Division of Child and Adolescent Neurology
- Integrative Psychiatry: The Four Major Neurotransmitters
