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NATURAL HOME CURES · NOPAL SCIENCE

Tyrosine
& Nopal

An amino acid connecting proteins, chemical messengers, thyroid hormones and natural pigments.

Explore the science
Tyrosine: one building block, several biological rolesThe body can make tyrosine from phenylalanine. Tyrosine is used in proteins and in pathways leading to chemical messengers, thyroid hormones and melanin. Arrows simplify multiple steps.PhenylalanineTyrosineProteinsChemicalmessengersThyroidhormonesMelaninSimplified relationships; several regulated steps
PROTEINS · MESSENGERS · HORMONES · PIGMENTSOne building block.
Several biological roles.

Tyrosine is one of the building blocks your body uses to make proteins. It also provides starting material for several other substances the body needs.(1)

Your body normally makes tyrosine from another amino acid, phenylalanine. That is why tyrosine is generally classed as nonessential. You also get it from food.(2)

What Does Tyrosine Do?

A PROTEIN BUILDING BLOCK

Building and maintaining tissues

The body joins tyrosine with other amino acids to make proteins.

Tyrosine becomes part of proteins throughout the body. These proteins help build and maintain tissues and carry out many other normal functions.(1)

“Nonessential” describes the body’s ability to make tyrosine. It does not mean the amino acid has no important role.

One Amino Acid, Several Biological Paths

SEVERAL REGULATED PATHWAYS

Messengers, hormones and pigments

Tyrosine supplies starting material. Enzymes and the body’s needs help determine how it is used.

Chemical messengers. Tyrosine is a starting material for dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine, also called adrenaline. These belong to a group of signaling chemicals called catecholamines.(3)

Thyroid hormones. Tyrosine also contributes to the formation of thyroid hormones, including thyroxine. These hormones help regulate the way the body uses energy.(4), (7)

Natural pigments. Cells called melanocytes use tyrosine in the pathway that makes melanin. Melanin contributes to the color of skin, hair and eyes.(5)

These processes involve several steps and biological controls.

Where Does Tyrosine Come From?

Alongside the tyrosine your body makes, foods provide it in different amounts. Examples include:

  • Roasted chicken
    Meat and poultry
  • A serving of fish
    Fish
  • Eggs
    Eggs
  • Milk and dairy foods
    Milk and dairy products
  • Lentils and chickpeas
    Beans, lentils and soy foods
  • Nuts and seeds
    Nuts and seeds
  • Whole grains
    Whole grains
  • Leafy green vegetables
    Leafy vegetables
  • Cleaned Nopal cactus pads and sliced nopales
    Nopal cactus pads

The amount you get depends on the food and how much you eat. A varied diet brings together many amino acids and other nutrients.

How Much Tyrosine Is in Nopal?

Fresh Nopal cactus pads and prepared nopales
NATURALLY OCCURRING TYROSINE · RAW NOPALESAbout 29 mgper 100 g of raw edible cactus pads

USDA FoodData Central · “Nopales, raw”

The USDA entry lists 0.029 grams of tyrosine per 100 grams of raw nopales, equal to 29 milligrams. This provides context for the amount in fresh cactus pads.(6)

This is a general raw-food reference, rather than a measurement of our finished capsules or powder.

Nopal also contains fiber, minerals and many other naturally occurring plant compounds. Its composition varies with the species, growing conditions, maturity and processing.

From Our Farms to Your Bottle

Illustrative Nopal cactus in a mountainous landscape

Our Nopal capsule story begins on our mountain farms in Mexico, where Opuntia streptacantha grows at about 8,200 feet in rich volcanic soil. Sunlight, temperature, and rainfall shape the living cactus.

We stay involved from growing through harvest and preparation of the capsules. This growing environment is part of the story behind each amino acid discussed here.

Looking at the Whole Cactus

Tyrosine is one part of Nopal’s wider nutritional picture. Explore the other science articles to learn about the cactus’s fiber, vitamins, minerals and other plant compounds.

Natural Home Cures products from left to right: Nopal cactus capsules, prickly pear drops, and Nopal cactus powder

FROM CACTUS TO PRODUCT

Meet Our Nopal Cactus & Prickly Pear Family

Nopal cactus capsules, prickly pear drops, and Nopal cactus powder.

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The research behind this article

Source References

7 sources Show referencesHide references
  1. 01
    Source referenceAmino acids.

    MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. U.S. National Library of Medicine.

    Full citation
    MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. U.S. National Library of Medicine. Amino acids.
    View source
  2. 02
    Source referencePAH gene: Normal Function.

    MedlinePlus Genetics. U.S. National Library of Medicine.

    Full citation
    MedlinePlus Genetics. U.S. National Library of Medicine. PAH gene: Normal Function.
    View source
  3. 03
    Source referenceTyrosine, phenylalanine, and catecholamine synthesis and function in the brain.

    Fernstrom JD, Fernstrom MH. Journal of Nutrition. 2007;137(6 Suppl 1):1539S–1547S.

    Full citation
    Fernstrom JD, Fernstrom MH. Journal of Nutrition. 2007;137(6 Suppl 1):1539S–1547S. Tyrosine, phenylalanine, and catecholamine synthesis and function in the brain.
    View source
  4. 04
    Source referenceTyrosine.

    National Cancer Institute. Early Detection Research Network. Description from the NCI Thesaurus.

    Full citation
    National Cancer Institute. Early Detection Research Network. Description from the NCI Thesaurus. Tyrosine.
    View source
  5. 05
    Source referenceTYR gene: Normal Function.

    MedlinePlus Genetics. U.S. National Library of Medicine.

    Full citation
    MedlinePlus Genetics. U.S. National Library of Medicine. TYR gene: Normal Function.
    View source
  6. 06
    Source referenceNopales, raw.

    U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central. FDC ID 168571; SR Legacy, NDB 11963. Tyrosine: 0.029 g per 100 g of raw edible food, equivalent to 29 mg.

    Full citation
    U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central. FDC ID 168571; SR Legacy, NDB 11963. Tyrosine: 0.029 g per 100 g of raw edible food, equivalent to 29 mg. Nopales, raw.
    View source
  7. 07
    Source referenceThyroid Tests.

    National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Thyroid hormone functions.

    Full citation
    National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Thyroid hormone functions. Thyroid Tests.
    View source