Could A Focus Supplement Be Doing Men More Harm Than Good?
Walk through the vitamin aisle or spend a few minutes on social media, and you’ll likely see supplements promising better focus, sharper thinking, and improved mental performance. Many contain L-tyrosine, an amino acid that recently made headlines after a study suggested higher levels may be associated with a slightly shorter lifespan in men.
Tyrosine is one of the amino acids, often called the building blocks of protein, that naturally occurs in everyone’s body. It helps produce important brain chemicals and hormones, including dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine.
“The study wasn’t showing that taking a tyrosine supplement causes men to die sooner,” Scott Warren, PharmD, Ambulatory Care Pharmacist with Shore Physicians Group, explained. “It found that men who naturally had higher than normal tyrosine levels were associated with a slightly shorter lifespan.” Even then, the difference was modest. Researchers found an average reduction of less than one year over a lifetime.
Importantly, researchers did not find the same association in women. But Warren says the study’s biggest takeaway applies to everyone: don’t assume a supplement is right for you simply because it’s popular or promises better focus.
According to Warren, the concern stems from tyrosine’s role in producing norepinephrine, commonly known as adrenaline. When adrenaline levels remain elevated over long periods, the body stays in a heightened state of stress. That can contribute to insulin resistance and increase the risk of conditions such as Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death among men.
That does not mean everyone should avoid tyrosine. In fact, most people consume it every day through protein rich foods without any concern. The bigger issue, Warren says, is taking supplements without knowing whether you actually need them.
“Many people see a supplement advertised for focus or mental clarity and assume it will help them,” Warren said. “The reality is you may already have enough or even too much. Without knowing what’s causing your symptoms, you’re really just guessing.”
Difficulty concentrating can have many different causes, from poor sleep and stress to anxiety or an underlying medical condition. Treating yourself with a supplement before identifying the cause may do more harm than good. Warren recommends speaking with your healthcare provider before starting any supplement. A medical evaluation and, when appropriate, blood work can help determine whether you actually have a deficiency or another condition that needs attention.
He also reminds patients that supplements are not risk free simply because they are sold over the counter. “It is possible to take too much of many vitamins and supplements,” Warren said. “More isn’t always better.”
The study is less a warning about tyrosine itself than a reminder that supplements should be personalized, not self-prescribed. What works for one person may not be appropriate for another, and understanding what’s happening in your body should always come before reaching for a bottle.
Scott Warren, PharmD, treats patients at Shore Physicians Group’s offices at 401 Bethel Road, Somers Point, and 2605 Shore Road, Northfield. To schedule an appointment, call 609-365-5300.
