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Taurine

Description

Taurine is a nonessential amino acid, which means that it is manufactured from other amino acids in the liver; it does not have to be obtained directly through the diet.

Taurine is synthesized from the essential amino acid methionine. It works as a neuromodulator or membrane-active amino acid that helps the cell to hold onto potassium. In the central nervous system, taurine has been known as a neuroinhibitory neuromodulator that works along with gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glycine, and glutamine. Taurine is also necessary for the management of potassium levels in tissues such as the heart. Recent research also indicates that taurine may be a very important amino acid for thinning bile and preventing gall stones. Researchers have fed animals a high-cholesterol diet supplemented with taurine. After a few weeks, cholesterol levels in the liver dropped significantly. This prevented the formation of gall stones from the cholesterol-rich bile.

Taurine has been shown to help prevent epileptic seizures in some children at doses between 400 and 1,200 mg per day. It has also been shown to be useful in the prevention of cardiac arrhythmias or heartbeat irregularities in animal studies. Taurine has recently been used therapeutically for such problems as epilepsy, cardiac arrhythmias, cholesterol-saturated bile, and dystrophies. Dose ranges of taurine are from 200 to 2,000 mg per day in divided doses.

Taurine is synthesized from methionine, which is found in greatest concentration in animal products. It is possible that strict vegetarians on a diet that is poorly balanced for protein could suffer from deficiencies of methionine, and have tissue deficiencies of taurine. The conversion of methionine to cysteine and on to taurine requires vitamin B-6; therefore, vitamin B-6 deficiencies can result in taurine insufficiencies. This may produce loss of potassium from cells such as the heart. Taurine is also high in white blood cells and seems to be involved in the respiratory burst that results in proper immune function.

Insufficiencies of taurine can result in alteration of immune function and increased risk to free radical damage.

Vegetables and grains do not contain taurine; it is only found in animal products. Taurine is a reasonably safe amino acid and has been used effectively in a number of clinical applications.

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Method of Action

Methionine is converted to cysteine, and on to taurine. Taurine is found in high levels within white blood cells, and seems to be involved in the respiratory burst that results in proper immune function. Insufficiencies of taurine alter immune functions and increase the cells' susceptibilities to damage from free radicals.

Food Sources

Taurine is a nonessential amino acid, which means that it is manufactured from other amino acids in the liver; it does not have to be obtained directly through the diet.

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