When it comes to supplement formulation, ingredient quality and effectiveness matter. Some supplement companies prioritize mixability and marketing gimmicks over scientific efficacy, using inferior ingredient forms that look good on labels but fail to deliver results.
One example is creatine, where companies market Creatine HCL, Creatine Ethyl Ester, and other variations despite Creatine Monohydrate being the most well-researched and effective.
Similarly, many pre-workout brands use N-Acetyl Tyrosine (NAT) instead of L-Tyrosine under the assumption that better solubility equals better bioavailability. But is this actually true? Does NAT outperform L-Tyrosine?
Let’s break it down.
What is L-Tyrosine?
L-Tyrosine is a non-essential amino acid that serves as a precursor to dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine—neurotransmitters that regulate focus, alertness, and stress response. Supplementing with L-Tyrosine can enhance mental performance, improve cognitive function under stress, and boost training intensity.
Key Benefits of L-Tyrosine:
✅ Increases dopamine & norepinephrine production (improving mood and focus)
✅ Supports stress resilience (helps combat workout fatigue)
✅ Enhances cognitive function (beneficial in high-stress environments)
✅ Clinically proven bioavailability (directly raises plasma tyrosine levels)
What is N-Acetyl Tyrosine (NAT)?
N-Acetyl Tyrosine (NAT) is a modified version of L-Tyrosine where an acetyl group is attached to increase water solubility. Because of this, many supplement brands assume it has better bioavailability and brain uptake—but research does not support this claim.
In fact, NAT is less effective than L-Tyrosine because the body does not efficiently convert it into usable tyrosine. A significant portion of NAT is excreted unchanged, making it a wasteful and inferior form of tyrosine supplementation.
Why NAT is NOT Effective:
❌ Poor conversion to active tyrosine (up to 60% excreted unused)
❌ Lower bioavailability compared to L-Tyrosine
❌ Does not cross the blood-brain barrier effectively
❌ Less effective at raising dopamine & norepinephrine levels
L-Tyrosine vs. NAT: Absorption & Bioavailability
When comparing the two, L-Tyrosine is the superior form for cognitive and performance benefits.
Plasma Tyrosine Levels After Supplementation:
- L-Tyrosine (oral, 100mg/kg) → Increases plasma tyrosine by 130-276%
- N-Acetyl Tyrosine (intravenous, 5000mg) → Only increases plasma tyrosine by 0-25%
- Some studies found NAT had NO effect on plasma tyrosine levels
This is shocking because IV administration completely bypasses the digestive system, meaning 100% of the substance should be available in circulation. Despite this, NAT still fails to raise plasma tyrosine levels anywhere near what oral L-Tyrosine does.
Normally, IV delivery enhances bioavailability—yet even when directly injected into the bloodstream, NAT is poorly converted into usable tyrosine. This proves that NAT is not a viable tyrosine source for supplementation.
NAT is NOT Efficiently Converted to Tyrosine
- Up to 60% of NAT is excreted unchanged in urine
- Research states NAT’s usefulness for increasing tyrosine is “not apparent”
- Oral L-Tyrosine raises plasma tyrosine levels far more than IV NAT
If NAT cannot even work efficiently when injected directly into the bloodstream, it certainly won’t be effective when consumed orally in a pre-workout.
Does NAT Cross the Blood-Brain Barrier?
One of the biggest misconceptions about NAT is that it crosses the blood-brain barrier (BBB) more efficiently than L-Tyrosine. However, a study comparing different tyrosine derivatives found:
- N-Acetyl Tyrosine was the LEAST effective at increasing brain tyrosine levels
- L-Tyrosine was superior at increasing brain tyrosine and dopamine synthesis
This debunks the common marketing claim that NAT is a superior nootropic—it is, in fact, the least effective tyrosine form for brain function.
Why PR-BREAKER MATERIA Uses 2g of L-Tyrosine (Not NAT)
I formulated PR-BREAKER MATERIA to deliver proven, effective ingredients in clinically backed dosages—and that includes a full 2-gram dose of L-Tyrosine per serving.
Unlike other brands that cut corners with NAT for mixability, MATERIA uses pure L-Tyrosine because:
✔ It significantly raises plasma tyrosine levels
✔ It directly boosts dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine production
✔ It enhances focus, mood, and cognitive performance under stress
✔ It supports endurance and mental resilience during intense workouts
With MATERIA, there are no shortcuts—just science-backed ingredients at the right dosages to fuel your best workouts.
Conclusion: L-Tyrosine > N-Acetyl Tyrosine
If you want real cognitive enhancement, focus, and performance benefits, L-Tyrosine is the only form that works. The data overwhelmingly supports that:
✔ L-Tyrosine increases plasma tyrosine levels by 130-276%
✔ NAT increases plasma tyrosine by only 0-25% (or not at all)
✔ NAT is poorly converted and mostly excreted in urine
✔ NAT does NOT cross the blood-brain barrier efficiently
Despite these clear scientific facts, many supplement companies continue using NAT because it dissolves better in water—not because it works better.
Don’t fall for marketing gimmicks—choose pre-workouts with L-Tyrosine, not NAT.
💥 Want a pre-workout that actually works? Get PR-BREAKER MATERIA with 2g of pure L-Tyrosine per serving! 💥
References
- Glaeser, B.S., et al. (1979). Elevation of plasma tyrosine after a single oral dose of L-tyrosine. Life Sci, 25(3), 265-71.
- Smith, M.L., et al. (1998). Randomised controlled trial of tyrosine supplementation on neuropsychological performance in phenylketonuria. Arch Dis Child, 78(2), 116-21.
- Pietz, J., et al. (1995). Effect of high-dose tyrosine supplementation on brain function in adults with phenylketonuria. J Pediatr, 127(6), 936-43.
- Lykkelund, C., et al. (1988). Increased neurotransmitter biosynthesis in phenylketonuria induced by phenylalanine restriction or by supplementation of unrestricted diet with large amounts of tyrosine. Eur J Pediatr, 148(3), 238-45.
- Magnusson, I., et al. (1989). N-acetyl-L-tyrosine and N-acetyl-L-cysteine as tyrosine and cysteine precursors during intravenous infusion in humans. Metabolism, 38(10), 957-61.
- Druml, W., et al. (1991). Utilization of tyrosine dipeptides and acetyltyrosine in normal and uremic humans. Am J Physiol, 260(2 Pt 1), E280-5.
- Hoffer, L.J., et al. (2003). N-acetyl-L-tyrosine as a tyrosine source in adult parenteral nutrition. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr, 27(6), 419-22.
- Topall, G., & Laborit, H. (1989). Brain tyrosine increases after treating with prodrugs: comparison with tyrosine. J Pharm Pharmacol, 41(11), 789-91.
