Tyrosine is a required amino acid necessary for synthesizing catecholamine neurotransmitters such as dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine. In terms of performance impact between N-acetyl L-tyrosine vs L-tyrosine, what precisely distinguishes them? Is one superior to the other?
N-acetyl L-tyrosine (NAT) is tyrosine but with an acetyl group attached. To convert acetyl to tyrosine, which is the active form in the body, acetyl doesn’t need to be added. N-acetyl L-tyrosine (NAT) is bioavailable in its purest form in Maximum Mind. Read on to learn how you can get the most out of it.
Numerous common supplement components are available in various forms for various purposes. For example, creatine is available in a range of forms, ranging from enhanced absorption and solubility in water to enhanced taste and bioavailability.
N-acetyl L-tyrosine and L-tyrosine are distinct forms of the same molecule.
N-acetyl L-tyrosine (NALT or NAT) is an organic amino acid that occurs naturally in the body. It is a precursor for the biosynthesis of the neurotransmitter noradrenaline, which is primarily involved in regulating mood, sleep, and blood pressure.
“Everything You Want Is on the Other Side of Fear.”
— Jack Canfield
The Role of L-Tyrosine
“I’m 190 pounds of rock hard muscle, underneath 40 pounds of sturdy protective fat.”
―John Swartzwelder
L-tyrosine is one of the several amino acids that make up protein. Tyrosine is synthesized naturally in the body from another amino acid called phenylalanine. Still, it is also present in a variety of foods, including dairy products, meat, fish, eggs, and oats.
An article found in Examine.com validates that L-tyrosine is an essential amino acid that the body uses to synthesize neurotransmitters and other critical chemicals. [1]
L-tyrosine is also available as a supplement, most frequently in formulations aimed at enhancing cognitive performance.
Several studies in Aerospace Medicine and Human Performance indicate that supplementing with L-tyrosine may increase mental function and memory, particularly under stressful conditions. [2]
While tyrosine can be taken as L-tyrosine, it is frequently suggested to take it as NALT.
This article, which focuses on N-acetyl L-tyrosine vs L-tyrosine differences and similarities, discusses why NALT may be a superior form of tyrosine to supplement with.
N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine vs L-Tyrosine
“Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.”
— Robert F. Kennedy
NALT is a tyrosine enhancement frequently touted for its increased absorption and effectiveness. However, this does not increase its benefits—namely, enhancing physical and mental performance. It simply makes it more absorbable and makes you more likely to experience the benefits.
NALT stimulates the release of catecholamine neurotransmitters such as dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine. A study in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings indicates that these neurotransmitters are involved in critical aspects of our mental health, cognition, behavior, and stress response. [3]
The body constantly needs to sustain its production and cognitive performance.
L-tyrosine may also help counteract the effects of brain stress by assisting in producing neurotransmitters that are frequently depleted during periods of high-pressure thinking.
L-tyrosine has been proven in studies found in Aerospace Medicine and Human Performance to promote working memory under stressful settings and optimize mental function in states of high stress, exhaustion, or sleep deprivation. [2]
Absorption and Bioavailability
Numerous supplement makers choose to utilize NALT over L-tyrosine due to the fact that NALT appears to be a more soluble version, according to studies in Metabolism. [4]
Solubility and bioavailability are frequently synonymous terms. Bioavailability refers to the quantity of a chemical that enters the bloodstream and becomes active in the body.
This simply indicates that NALT may have a greater nootropic effect than pure tyrosine. Yet, another consideration for N-acetyl L-tyrosine vs L-tyrosine.
Nalt: The Best Form as a Nootropic
“You’ll always miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take.”
— Wayne Gretzky
Due to its bioavailability and ease of absorption, NALT appears to be the preferable form of supplemental tyrosine, delivering more potent nootropic effects than ordinary tyrosine.
A similar finding in Examine.com also asserted that while the majority of the advantages of NALT to the brain occur during times of extreme stress, the impacts are nonetheless substantial, including the following: [1]
- enhancing working memory in multi-tasking situations, hence assisting in the maintenance of mental and memory performance
- enhancing learning speed and consequently aiding in the faster processing of information in stressful situations where cognition may be impeded
- enhancing cognition in sleep-deprived settings, hence assisting in the reduction of cognitive deterioration associated with sleep deprivation
- suppressing the production of neuro-destructive stress chemicals, hence providing long-term brain protection.
Supplementing with NALT would supply you with the motivating fuel reserves needed to work at your peak capacity Monday through Saturday. Even God rested after creating the earth, so you might want to as well!
Maximum Mind, one of the most potent and purest nootropic supplements currently available, includes NALT in its purest form.
Maximum Mind is a proprietary blend of 16 clinically proven ingredients, including the most potent natural nootropics available. NALT is one component of a powerful combination that optimizes cognitive performance across various brain pathways.
Maximum Mind enables you to adapt to changing mental performance requirements without using stimulants or other harmful chemicals.
Read more about N-acetyl L-tyrosine on the Marco’s Grounds Deep Dive or find out more about the benefit of tyrosine here.
Nalt: Nootropic Stacking 101
“There are no failures–just experiences and your reactions to them.”
— Tom Krause
While each nootropic on its own has distinct advantages, stacking nootropics results in a significantly more effective impact. These nootropics will interact, synergize, and enhance the benefits of one another.
While NALT is effective as a single pill under some circumstances, it is considerably more potent when mixed with other nootropic substances.
Other nootropic substances that perform well with NALT include the following:
L-Theanine
L-theanine is regarded as one of the best natural nootropics for generating a calm yet focused state of mind – sometimes referred to as “wakeful relaxation.”
L-theanine is an amino acid that occurs naturally in green tea leaves. This potent nootropic has been shown to considerably improve daytime cognitive performance while promoting quality sleep at night – the ideal complement to L-tyrosine.
Read more about L-theanine on the Marco’s Grounds Deep Dive.
Methylated B Vitamins
B vitamins (most often B6, B9, and B12) are necessary nutrients for various vital biological activities.
However, these four B vitamins are particularly advantageous cofactors in catecholamine production (dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine).
Thus, when in their methylated form, B vitamins contribute significantly to brain function by facilitating the conversion of L-tyrosine to these catecholamines and other critical neurotransmitters such as GABA, norepinephrine, and melatonin.
Read more about vitamin b on the Marco’s Grounds Deep Dive.
Organic Monnieri Bacopa Monnieri Leaf Extract
Bacopa Monnieri is a nootropic herb known for its memory-boosting qualities, which also extend to learning and knowledge retention.
Bacopa monnieri is a herb that acts as an adaptogen. It appears to relieve stress by dampening brain chemicals that commonly increase in response to stress.
Along with reducing stress hormone production, it has been proposed that bacopa monnieri may boost “calming” brain chemicals like serotonin and GABA, which may aid in stress relief and resistance. As a result, bacopa monnieri is an effective nootropic for stress.
In animal studies, the herb was compared to anti-anxiety drugs. In a study found in the International Journal of Phytotherapy and Phytopharmacology, researchers appear to have discovered a significant finding concerning the potential of Bacopa monnieri: unlike anxiety drugs, which reduced stress while simultaneously causing amnesia and motor deficits, bacopa monnieri relieved stress while enhancing cognition [5].
This makes it a perfect nootropic to combine with tyrosine for improved learning and stress relief.
Read more on bacopa on the Marco’s Grounds Deep Dive or find out more about the benefits of bacopa here.
Conclusion
“It’s failure that gives you the proper perspective on success.”
— Ellen DeGeneres
We have covered the N-acetyl L-tyrosine vs L-tyrosine comparisons and dissimilarities, sources, and, most importantly, their benefits. Tyrosine is a necessary amino acid required to produce catecholamine neurotransmitters such as dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine.
These neurotransmitters are necessary for our psychological well-being, cognition, behavior, and stress response.
L-tyrosine aids in promoting working memory and optimizing mental function in under-stressed, exhausted, or sleep-deprived settings.
There is considerable debate about the optimal form of L-tyrosine—whether it should be pure L-tyrosine or N-acetyl L-tyrosine (NALT). While there are some misunderstandings about the plain bioavailability of L-tyrosine compared to NALT, NALT appears to be the most effective form as a nootropic.
This is because of its high bioavailability and ease of absorption, making it a more effective nootropic than simple tyrosine.
However, the optimal approach to use NALT is in combination with other potent and related nootropics, such as L-theanine, methylated B vitamins, and bacopa – all of which are included in Maximum Mind.
Maximum Mind is a potent nootropic solution that provides A-game near-instant brainpower. It contains L-tyrosine in the form of NALT and fifteen additional research-backed nootropics that have been proved to improve both short- and long-term cognitive health!
Why not benefit from the winner of N-acetyl L-tyrosine Vs L-tyrosine in its purest form along with other clinically studied compounds for increasing brain performance and health with Maximum Mind?
Literature
- Patel. K. L-Tyrosine. Examine.com. (2021)
- Neri DF, Wiegmann D, Stanny RR, Shappell SA, McCardie A, McKay DL. The effects of tyrosine on cognitive performance during extended wakefulness. Aviat Space Environ Med. 1995 Apr;66(4):313-9.
- Kobayashi K. Role of catecholamine signaling in the brain and nervous system functions: new insights from mouse molecular genetic study. J Investig Dermatol Symp Proc. 2001 Nov;6(1):115-21.
- Magnusson I, Ekman L, Wångdahl M, Wahren J. N-acetyl-L-tyrosine and N-acetyl-L-cysteine as tyrosine and cysteine precursors during intravenous infusion in humans. Metabolism. 1989 Oct;38(10):957-61.
- Bhattacharya, S. K., & Ghosal, S. (1998). Anxiolytic activity of a standardized extract of Bacopa monniera: an experimental study. Phytomedicine: international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology, 5(2), 77–82.