Tyrosine

Tyrosine, often abbreviated as Tyr or Y, is a building block for your body, specifically for proteins. It's an amino acid, which means it's one of the components your body uses to build the proteins that make up your muscles, organs, and other tissues. Your body can make tyrosine from another amino acid called phenylalanine, but it's also found in many foods, especially high-protein foods like chicken, turkey, fish, and dairy products. Tyrosine is like a behind-the-scenes superstar in your body. It's involved in creating several important substances, including some that help your brain communicate with your body. For example, it's used to make dopamine, a chemical that contributes to feelings of pleasure and reward. It's also used to make adrenaline, a hormone that helps your body respond to stress, and thyroid hormones, which regulate your metabolism. So, while you might not hear about tyrosine as often as some other nutrients, it's quietly playing a big role in keeping your body running smoothly.