Common Name: Taurine
Synonyms: L-Taurine

Overview:

Taurine is the nonprotein end product of the metabolism of the amino acids L-cysteine and methioning and Vitamin B6. . It is one of the most abundant amino acids in the body. This amino acid also helps regulate the heartbeat, maintains cell membranes and plays a vital role in the release of neurotransmitters (chemicals that carry signals between nerve cells) in the brain.

Taurine is what is known as a conditionally essential amino acid. Adults can manufacture taurine but infants can not. Taurine is essential in newborns for the proper development of the retina and the central nervous system. Studies showed that infants feed formula lacking taurine had lower serum taurine levels than those who were breast fed. Taurine is now required in all infant formulas.

Benefits

Taurine is an antioxidant and has been found to be have more free radical scavaging abilities that vitamin E. It is also believed that taurine has cholesterol and blood pressure lowering abilities as well as helping to remove plaque buildup in the circulatory system. In cystic fibrosis patients, taurine reduce the amount of steatorrhea (the excessive discharge of fat in the feces, often seen pancreatic diseases such as cystic fibrosis and in malabsorption syndromes). These few benefits of taurine are just the tip of the iceberg.

Studies have shown that taurine is helpful in the treatment of congestive heart failure. In one study, 24 patients with congestive heart failure received 2 gms of taurine twice a day. Clinical improvement was seen in 19 of these patients. This improvement was confirmed in the heart x-rays taken in these patients. Another double blind, randomized crossover, placebo controlled study confirmed the findings of the first study. The patients who received taurine supplementation and conventional treatment showed significant improvement when compared to the placebo group. In a third study in which patients received 3 gms of taurine or coenzyme Q10, only the patients on the taurine supplements showed any significant improvement.

1. In animal studies, taurine demonstrated blood pressure lowering effects. In humans, taurine lowered blood pressure in people with borderline hypertension. This was after taking 6gms of taurine daily for seven days.
2. Although taurine supplements have shown to lower lipid levels in animals, so far that ability has not been seen in human trials.
3. A small study where 0.4 to 1.6gms of taurine were taken for eight days showed that taurine may help inhibit platelet clumping.
4. A significant improvement in insulin sensitivity was seen by taurine supplementation in animal models of type 2diabetes.
5. In a study, 22 Canadian children with cystic fibrosis and steatorrhea were given 30mg/kg/day of taurine or a placebo for a six month period. The severity of the fat malabsorption, especially in the most severe cases, was greatly reduced in of these children.
6. One double blind study suggests that taurine supplements might be useful in acute viral hepatitis. In a double-blind placebo controlled study, 63 patients with hepatitis were given 12gms of taurine or a placebo. Blood tests taken to monitor the patients progress during this study showed that the taurine group demonstrated improvements in their liver function tests compared to the control group.
7. Taurine is a neurotransmitter and in this role has proven useful in the treatment of epilepsy. Research has shown that that the taurine levels at the point of seizure activity in the brain are low. Taurine also has the ability to stabilize the membranes of the nerve cells and keeps them from the erratic firing of nerve impulses that cause seizures.

Dietary Sources

	Meat		Poultry
	Eggs		Fish
Dairy Products

Recommended Dosage:

Taurine, as an amino acid, is thought to be safe. A maximum safe dose in children has not been established.

The dosage for taurine varies depending on the condition being treated. These doses range from 500mg-3gms a day

Contra-indications

Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should consult a health care provider before using taurine as a supplement.

Drug interactions

No drug interactions on record.

Web References

1. http://healthlibrary.epnet.com/GetContent.aspx?token=e0498803-7f62-4563-8d47-5fe33da65dd4&chunkiid=33802#B
2. http://www.pdrhealth.com/drug_info/nmdrugprofiles/nutsupdrugs/tau_0246.shtml
3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taurine

Printed Reference Material

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