- Energy
- Fat Loss
- Increase Glucose Uptake
What is it?
Tyramine (4-hydroxy-phenethylamine) is an amino acid that is derived
from tyrosine. It acts as a neurotransmitter.
Food sources include red wine, bean curd, fava beans, cheeses, sausage,
bologna, pepperoni, figs, raisins, avocados, green bean pods, eggplant,
pickled herring, canned meats, yogurt, soup cubes, chocolate and soy
sauce.
What does it
do?
Tyramine is a common ingredient in over-the-counter fat loss
supplements because of its ability to increase dopamine levels, and
provide energy through the release of norephinephine - adrenalin.
Tyramine helps to induce fat loss by increasing adrenalin secretion, by
increasing muscular glucose uptake in the absence of simple
carbohydrates, thus eliminating or reducing the need for rises in
insulin levels.
For the dieting athlete, tyramines ability to increase glucose uptake
in the absence of simple carbohydrate means that insulin spikes can be
avoided and muscle glycogen stores can be restored post-exercise.
Elevated insulin levels can lead to decreases in growth hormone,
IGF-1 and testosterone levels. Within the context of high bodyfat
percentages, elevated insulin levels will lead to a decrease in protein
synthesis, and an increase in muscular atrophy. Not good. Dieting
athletes know that controlling insulin is key to becoming and staying
lean.
Tyramine affects blood pressure, although clinical research
demonstrates that its effects upon blood pressure are mixed. Any
effects of tyramine on blood pressure is believed to result from
tyramines conversion into octopamine and synephrine.
