Jon, how much do you take, and what brand do you like? I assume you can find tyrosine at the health food stores?

Hi Lurkingforacure,
Do you get clear offs yet after 3 years from Dx, and if so, does Tyrosine switch you on. what level did you use please?
Ron

Ron, it was Jon who mentioned the tyrosine and 3years out, I asked what brand he used and how much...have never tried it, so am waiting to hear his replies. PS I looked today and can find L-tyrosine, is this the same as tyrosine, and if not, how do they differ (or, does the difference matter for the purposes of white rat experimentation?). Thanks.

Some detailed info here

I've been taking Jarrow L-Tyrosine, 1 500 mg capsule a day. Swanson's online mail order has very good prices on a variety of brands. My off periods, such as they are, are most apparent upon awakening. I take my supplements following breakfast and usually feel pretty steady by then. Almond snacks are 3-4 times a day. Unfortunately, I'm not a very scrupulously scientific white rat, as I take a bunch of other supplements, figuring they may all help to some degree. Jon

Hi Lurking,
The correct name is L-Tyrosine, the L means it is an optically active molecule and bends polarised light to the left. That is from memory, I did not not look it up, but I am sure it is correct. When people drop the L, it is just to shorten the name. The 2 names are definitely the same chemical.
Sorry I mixed Jon's post for yours.

Jon,
I have also an old bottle of L-Tyrosine which I tried years ago, they are 500mg tablets and I took one per day for a couple of days, but they did not switch me on. How long have you had PD?
The molecular weight of L-tyrosine is 181 and levodopa is 197. This means 500mg of L-tyrosine will produce 544mg of levodpa (if it is all converted). So I would have thought it should have worked to switch me on.

However, the answer may be in Rick's reference, where it says,
"The primary natural means via which cell damage can occur in Parkinson's Disease is due to the reaction from L-tyrosine to L-dopa not taking place."
The reaction from L-tyrosine to levodopa needs several enzymes, which maybe I am missing.
There must have been more research on using precursers of levodopa.
Ron

<< Jon,
I have also an old bottle of L-Tyrosine which I tried years ago, they are 500mg tablets and I took one per day for a couple of days, but they did not switch me on. How long have you had PD? >>

3 years since diagnosis, 4 years since visible symptoms, 6-7 years of dealing with an erratic left hand (I've played guitar for 50 years so was very aware that it wasn't functioning properly).