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Tumeric

Common Name: Tumeric
Scientific name: Curcuma longa

Overview:

Curcuma longa is a perennial plat that grows from 3 to 5 feet tall. This close relative of ginger grows throughout Southeast Asia. It has dull yellow trumpet shaped flowers. The rhizomes and above ground parts of the plant are boiled, dried and turned into the spice known as turmeric. This spice is the main ingredient in Indian curry powder and is what gives it its yellow color.
Turmeric has been used in traditional Indian and Chinese medicine:

  1. As an anti-inflammatory.
  2. To treat digestive disorders.
  3. To treat liver disorders.
  4. As a treatment for skin diseases and to speed wound healing.

Active ingredients

The three main active ingredients in turmeric are known as cucuminoids and they are:

  1. Curcumin
  2. Bisdemethoxycurcumin
  3. Demethoxycurcumin

Benefits

In the 1970’s Indian researchers found preliminary evidence that turmeric possessed anti-inflammatory properties. This anti-inflammatory activity was shown to arise from one of turmeric’s active ingredients, curcumin. Curcumin was found to be a powerful anti oxidant, as powerful as the vitamins C and E. Curcumin has the ability to scavenge free radicals like superoxide anions and hydrogen peroxide. Curcumin also prevents the oxidation of LDL (the bad cholesterol) in the endothelium of the cardiovascular system. This oxidation of LDL is the precursor to plaque formation and to cardiovascular disease.

Although turmeric and its active ingredients have been extensively research both in vitro in (in the laboratory) and in vivo (in the body) animal studies, there have been few clinical trials in humans. These studies have produced very interesting results and clinical trials are beginning.

The curcuminoids have been:

  1. Used in the treatment of gallbladder and liver disease. Turmeric has been approved by the German E commission. Animal studies have shown that curcuminoids increased the flow of bile, reduced the secretion of digestive acids, and protected the intestinal walls against stress from medications and excess alcohol consumption.
  2. Shown to reduce the pain and disability of osteoarthritis. A study of people using an traditional Indian formula of herbs including turmeric, Boswellia, and zinc significantly reduced these symptoms of osteoarthritis.
  3. Shown to prevent atherosclerosis. In animal studies, the active ingredients in turmeric lowered not only cholesterol levels but stopped the formation of atherosclerosis plaques from the oxidation of LDL. They may also help in preventing platelets from sticking to the walls of the blood vessels. When platelets stick to the walls of blood vessels, small clots form leading to blockage of blood flow to and from the heart.
  4. Shown turmeric potential as a treatment for cancer. Many laboratory and animal studies have shown that curcumin has the potential to treat various forms of cancer. This includes prostate, breast, skin and colon cancers.

    • Clinical trials have begun in humans and are in Phase I.
    • A Phase I trial of people with advanced colorectal cancer were given 3.6gms per day of curcumin for 4 months. Curcumin was found to be concentrated in the malignant tissue. Phase II clinical trials are now underway on patients with advanced pancreatic cancer as well as colorectal cancer.
    • Shown that the curcuminoids are an effective treatment for both bacterial and yeast infections of the skin.

  5. Shown promise in the treatment of HIV. Curcumin has modest anti-HIV activity, working as a protease inhibitor.
  6. Shown the ability to reduce the damage done to the intestinal tract by intestinal parasites.
  7. Shown that turmeric speeds the healing of wounds. This ability was even seen in the wounds caused by poor circulation seen in diabetics.
  8. Been effective in the treatment of uveitis (inflammation of one of the layers in the eye). In a study of 32 people suggests that turmeric has the potential to be as affective as the corticosteroids usually prescribed with out the dangerous side effects.
  9. Again animal studies have shown that the curcuminoids can protect the liver from toxic substances such as carbon tetrachloride and acetaminophen (Tylenol). The curcuminoids do this by binding to these toxins so they can be removed from the body.
  10. In animal models, injected curcuminoids where found to cross the blood brain barrier. It was also shown to inhibit the formation of the amyloid plaques characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease. These plaques are responsible for the mental deterioration characteristic of this disease. Because of the promising result in animal studies. Human clinical trials are now underway.

Recommended Dosage:

Pediatric

Although, turmeric may be helpful in the treatment of inflammation in children, the appropriate dosage has not been determined. The use of turmeric in children should only be done under the guidance of a knowledgeable healthcare practitioner.

Adult

The following are doses recommended for adults:

  1. Cut root: 1,500 to 3,000 mg per day
  2. Dried, powdered root: 1,000 to 3,000 mg per day
  3. Standardized powder (curcumin): 400 to 600 mg, 3 times per day
  4. Fluid extract (1:1) 30 to 90 drops a day
  5. Tincture (1:2): 15 to 30 drops, 4 times per day

Contra-indications

Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding do not need to avoid turmeric in food. They should consult a health care provider before using turmeric or the curcuminoids it contains in a therapeutic manner.

Interactions

  1. Turmeric and curcumin are generally regarded as safe.
  2. At therapeutic levels gastrointestinal upset are the most common symptoms,

however at very high doses turmeric has been know to cause ulcers.

  1. Turmeric or curcumin should not be taken by people suffering from gallstones or obstruction of the bile ducts.
  2. You should not use turmeric or curcumin of you are taking blood-thinning medication.
  3. Turmeric has shown to be helpful in preventing the stomach irritation that accompanies taking NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen that are often prescribed to relieve pain and inflammations.
  4. In animal studies, turmeric protected the digestive tract from increased gastric secretions caused by the drug reserpine taken for high blood pressure.

Web References

  1. http://www.pdrhealth.com/drug_info/nmdrugprofiles/nutsupdrugs/cur_0087.shtml
  2. http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ConsHerbs/Turmericch.html
  3. http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/minerals/selenium/

Printed Reference Material

  1. Ammon HPT, Wahl MA. Pharmacology of Curcuma longa. Planta Medica. 1991;57:1-7.
  2. Arbiser JL, Klauber N, Rohan R, et al. Curcumin is an in vivo inhibitor of angiogenesis. Mol Med. 1998;4(6):376-383.
  3. Asai A, Miyazawa T. Dietary curcuminoids prevent high-fat diet-induced lipid accumulation in rat liver and epididymal adipose tissue. J Nutr. 2001;131(11):2932-2935.
  4. Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinckmann J. Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs. Newton, MA: Integrative Medicine Communications; 2000:379-384.
  5. Curcuma longa (turmeric). Monograph. Altern Med Rev. 2001;6 Suppl:S62-S66.
  6. Dorai T, Cao YC, Dorai B, Buttyan R, Katz AE. Therapeutic potential of curcumin in human prostate cancer. III. Curcumin inhibits proliferation, induces apoptosis, and inhibits angiogenesis of LNCaP prostate cancer cells in vivo. Prostate. 2001;47(4):293-303.
  7. Dorai T, Gehani N, Katz A. Therapeutic potential of curcumin in human prostate cancer. II. Curcumin inhibits tyrosine kinase activity of epidermal growth factor receptor and depletes the protein. Mol Urol. 2000;4(1):1-6.
  8. Gescher A J, Sharma R A, Steward W P. Cancer chemoprevention by dietary constituents: a tale of failure and promise. Lancet Oncol. 2001;2(6):371-379.
  9. Heck AM, DeWitt BA, Lukes AL. Potential interactions between alternative therapies and warfarin. Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2000;57(13):1221-1227.
  10. Kawamori T, Lubet R, Steele VE, et al. Chemopreventive effect of curcumin, a naturally occurring anti-inflammatory agent, during the promotion/progression stages of colon cancer. Cancer Res. 1999;59:597-601.
  11. Kim MS, Kang HJ, Moon A. Inhibition of invasion and induction of apoptosis by curcumin in H-ras-transformed MCF10A human breast epithelial cells. Arch Pharm Res. 2001;24(4):349-354.
  12. Kiuchi F, Goto Y, Sugimoto N, Akao N, Kondo K, Tsuda Y. Nematocidal activity of turmeric: synergistic action of curcuminoids. Chem Pharm Bull. 1993;41(9):1640-1643.
  13. Kulkarni RR, Patki PS, Jog VP, Gandage SG, Patwardhan B. Treatment of osteoarthritis with a herbomineral formulation: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study. J Ethnopharmacol. 1991;33(1-2):91-95.
  14. Lal B, Kapoor AK, Asthana OP, et al. Efficacy of curcumin in the management of chronic anterior uveitis. Phytother Res. 1999;13(4):318-322.
  15. Luper S. A review of plants used in the treatment of liver disease: part two. Altern Med Rev. 1999;4(3):178-188; 692.
  16. Mehta K, Pantazis P, McQueen T, Aggarwal BB. Antiproliferative effect of curcumin (diferuloylmethane) against human breast tumor cell lines. Anticancer Drugs. 1997;8(5):470-481.
  17. Nagabhushan M, Bhide SV. Curcumin as an inhibitor of cancer. J Am Coll Nutr. 1992;11(2):192-198.
  18. Phan TT, See P, Lee ST, Chan SY. Protective effects of curcumin against oxidative damage on skin cells in vitro: its implication for wound healing. J Trauma 2001;51(5):927-931.
  19. Pizzorno JE, Murray MT. Textbook of Natural Medicine. New York, NY: Churchill Livingstone; 1999:689-692.
  20. Ramirez-Tortosa MC, Mesa MD, Aguilera MC, et al. Oral administration of a turmeric extract inhibits LDL oxidation and has hypocholesterolemic effects in rabbits with experimental atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis. 1999;147(2):371-378.
  21. Rao CV, Rivenson A, Simi B, Reddy BS. Chemoprevention of colon carcinogenesis by dietary curcumin naturally occurring plant phenolic compound. Cancer Res. 1995;55(2):259-266.
  22. Robbers JE, Tyler V. Herbs of Choice: The Therapeutic Use of Phytomedicinals. New York, NY: The Haworth Herbal Press; 1999:73-74.
  23. Sharma RA, Ireson CR, Verschoyle RD. Effects of dietary curcumin on glutathione S-Transferase and Malondialdehyde-DNA adducts in rat liver and colon mucosa: relationship with drug levels. Clin Cancer Res. 2001;7:1452-1458.
  24. Stoner GD, Mukhtar H. Polyphenols as cancer chemopreventive agents. J Cell Biochem Suppl. 1995;22:169-180.
  25. Tawatsin A, Wratten SD, Scott RR, Thavara U, Techadamrongsin Y. Repellency of volatile oils from plants against three mosquito vectors. J Vector Ecol. 2001;26(1):76-82.
  26. Verma SP, Salamone E, Goldin B. Curcumin and genistein, plant natural products, show synergistic inhibitory effects on the growth of human breast cancer MCF-7 cells induced by estrogenic pesticides. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 1997; 233(3): 692-696.
  27. White L, Mavor S. Kids, Herbs, Health. Loveland, Colo: Interweave Press; 1998:41.

Tyrosine

Common Name: Tyrosine
Synonyms: L-tyrosine

Overview:

Tyrosine is classified as a conditionally essential amino acid. Although under normal circumstances the body can make all of the tyrosine that it needs, when certain conditions such as phenylketonuria exist, tyrosine must come from dietary sources. L-tyrosine is manufactured in the body from phenylalanine and is found in soy, chicken turkey nuts, dairy, legumes (beans and peas), avocados, bananas and pumpkin seeds.

Tyrosine, as with all amino acids, is involved in protein synthesis. Protein synthesis is not the only role it plays. Tyrosine is a precursor of not only the thyroid hormones thyroxine and triiodothyronine but the fight or flight hormone, epinephrine as well as the neurotransmitters, norepinephrine and dopamine. Tyrosine is also used by the body to manufacture melanin, the substance that gives hair and skin their color.

Tyrosine also has the ability to bind unstable free radicals and is considered to be a mild antioxidant. Because of its antioxidant capabilities, tyrosine may be helpful for people who have been exposed to harmful chemicals (such as from smoking) or radiation.

Low levels of tyrosine have been associated with:

  1. Low blood pressure
  2. Low body temperature
  3. An under active thyroid
  4. Depression
  5. Edema
  6. Fatigue
  7. Lethargy
  8. Liver damage
  9. Loss of pigment of the hair and skin

Benefits

Tyrosine is essential in those who suffer from phenylketonuria (a genetic condition where people cannot metabolize phenylalanine). By eliminating all sources of phenylalanine, the brain damage and mental retardation that results can be avoided. The tyrosine deficiency that develops is because phenylalanine is necessary for the manufacture of tyrosine.

Preliminary studies of tyrosine’s benefits have shown that:

  1. Tyrosine may help in the body’s ability to handle stress. This is because of the fact that it is the precursor for epinephrine and norepinephrine, the body’s two main stress related hormones. Taken ahead of time, tyrosine can help some people ward off the body’s reactions to such stressful situations as surgery, emotional upset, and sleep deprivation. A small study of marines showed that they were better able to handle and recovered faster from sleep deprivation when they took supplements of tyrosine.
  2. In combination with conventional treatment, tyrosine appears to help in the successful treatment of cocaine abuse and withdrawal. It is usually used in conjunction with tryptophan (an essential amino acid) and imipramine ( an antidepressant). It has also proven helpful in caffeine and nicotine withdrawal.
  3. Tyrosine may be helpful in the treatment of depression as tyrosine levels are often low in people who suffer from depression. Early studies showed that when used in conjunction with 5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan). However, more studies are needed to confirm the benefit of tyrosine supplements in the treatment of mild to moderate depression.
  4. Tyrosine may prove helpful in the treatment of vitiligo (depigmentation of random areas of skin). This is an assumption made because tyrosine is involved the making of melanin and the fact that phenylalanine and ultra violet light are used to treat this condition.
  5. Because tyrosine is a precursor to dopamine and preliminary studies have shown that tyrosine can cause an increase in the levels of dopamine in the brain, it has been speculated that tyrosine may be helpful in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. This theory however has never been proven.
  6. Body builders supplement with tyrosine in order to better tolerate stress and to increase muscle mass. These uses however have never been studied.

Recommended Dosage:

  1. Therapeutic doses range from 7-30gms daily
  2. This dosage should be divided into three doses taken 30 minutes before a meal
  3. Doses of tyrosine should also be taken with a multivitamin tablet as vitamin B6, folate )B9) and copper are helpful in converting tyrosine into the neurotransmitters, norepinephrine and dopamine.
  4. Total dietary intake of tyrosine should never exceed 12,000mg
  5. Children who need supplementation of tyrosine should do so only under the direct care of their healthcare practioner.

Precautions

  1. Those who suffer from migraine headaches should avoid tyrosine. It has been known to trigger migraine headaches and gastrointestinal upset in those who suffer from this condition.
  2. tyrosine taken with MAOIs, antidepressant medications like phenelzine, tranylcypromine, pargyline and selegiline, may cause a severe increase in blood pressure. This hypertensive crisis can lead to a heart attack or stroke. Because of this people who are taking MAOI’s should avoid tyrosine supplements and even foods that contain a high amount tyrosine.
  3. In animal studies, tyrosine increased the appetite suppressing effects of several medications including phenypropanolamine, ephedrine and amphetamine. Human studies are now needed to see if this characteristic of tyrosine is also seen in human beings.
  4. Again animal studies have shown that tyrosine increases the pain relieving effects of morphine.
  5. Levodopa (a medication used to treat Parkinson’s disease) may interfere with the absorption of tyrosine.
  6. Those who suffer from melanoma should avoid tyrosine
  7. Those with inborn errors of metabolism such as alkaptonuria and tyrosinemia type I and II should not take tyrosine

Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should consult a health care provider before using any supplements. The affects of this supplement has not been tested on children and those suffering from liver or kidney disease. It is recommended that in people with liver or kidney disease this supplementation not be used.

Web References

  1. http://www.umm.edu/altmed/ConsSupplements/Tyrosinecs.html
  2. http://healthlibrary.epnet.com/GetContent.aspx?token=e0498803-7f62-4563-8d47-5fe33da65dd4&chunkiid=21794
  3. http://www.pdrhealth.com/drug_info/nmdrugprofiles/nutsupdrugs/lty_0256.shtml

Printed Reference Material

  1. Awad AG. Diet and drug interactions in the treatment of mental illness – a review. Can J Psychiatry. 1984;29:609-613.
  2. Banderet LE, Lieberman HR. Treatment with tyrosine, a neurotransmitter precursor, reduces environmental stress in humans. Brain Res Bull. 1989; 22:759-762.
  3. Camacho F, Mazuecos J. Treatment of vitiligo with oral and topical phenylalanine: 6 years of experience. Arch Dermatol. 1999;135:216-217
  4. Chakraborty DP, Roy S, Chakroborty AK. Vitiligo, psoralen, and meanogenesis: some observations and understanding. Pigment Cell Res. 1996;9(3):107-116.
  5. Chiaroni P, Azorin JM, Bovier P, et al. A multivariate analysis of red blood cell membrane transports and plasma levels of L-tyrosine and L-tryptophan in depressed patients before treatment and after clinical improvement. Neuropsychobiology. 1990;23(1):1-7.
  6. Deijen JB, Orlebeke JF. Effect of tyrosine on cognitive function and blood pressure under stress. Brain Res Bull. 1994;33(3):319-323.
  7. Elwes RD, Crewes H, Chesterman LP, et al. Treatment of narcolepsy with L-tyrosine: double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Lancet. 1989; 2(8671):1067-1069.
  8. Fernstrom JD. Can nutrient supplements modify brain function? Am J Clin Nutr. 2000;71(6 Suppl):1669S-1675S.
  9. Fugh-Berman A, Cott JM. Dietary supplements and natural products as psychotherapeutic agents. Psychosom Med. 1999;61:712-728.
  10. Gelenberg AJ, Gibson CJ. Tyrosine for the treatment of depression. Nutr Health. 1984; 3:163-173.
  11. Gelenberg AJ, Wojcik JD, Falk WE, et al. Tyrosine for depression: a double-blind trial. J Affect Disord. 1990; 19:125-132.
  12. Gelenberg AJ, Wojcik JD, Gibson CJ, Wurtman RJ. Tyrosine for depression. J Psychiatr Res. 1982-83; 17:175-180.
  13. Growdon JH, Melamed E, Logue M, et al. Effects of oral L-tyrosine administration on CSF tyrosine and homovanillic acid levels in patients with Parkinson's disease. Life Sci. 1982;30:827-832,
  14. Hull KM, Maher TJ. L-Tyrosine potentiates the anorexia induced by mixed-acting sympathomimetic drugs in hyperphagic rats. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 1990;255(2):403-409.
  15. Hull KM, Tolland DE, Maher TJ. L-tyrosine potentiation of opioid-induced analgesia utilizing the hot-plate test. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 1994;269(3):1190-1195.
  16. Kelly GS. Nutritional and botanical interventions to assist with the adaptation to stress. Altern Med Rev. 1999;4940;249-265.
  17. Kirschmann GJ and Kirschmann JD. Nutrition Almanac, 4th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill;1966:304.
  18. Koch R. Tyrosine supplementation for phenylketonuria treatment. Am J Clin Nutr. 1996;64(6):974-975.
  19. Menkes DB, Coates DC, Fawcett JP. Acute tryptophan depletion aggravates premenstrual syndrome. J Affect Disord. 1994;3291):37-44.
  20. Meyers S. Use of neurotransmitter precursors for treatment of depression. Altern Med Rev. 2000;5(1):64-71.
  21. Neri DF, Wiegmann D, Stanny RR, Shappell SA, McCardie A, McKay DL. The effects of tyrosine on cognitive performance during extended wakefulness.
    Aviat Space Environ Med. 1995;66(4):313-319.
  22. Parry BL. The role of central serotonergic dysfunction in the aetiology of premenstrual dysphoric disorder: therapeutic implications. CNS Drugs2001;15(4):277-285.
  23. Pizzorno JE and Murray MT. Textbook of Natural Medicine, Vol 2. New York, NY: Churchill Livingstone; 1999:1049-1059.
  24. Poustie VJ, Rutherford P. Tyrosine supplementation for phenylketonuria. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2000;(2):CD001507.
  25. Reimherr FW, Wender PH, Wood DR, Ward M. An open trial of L-tyrosine in the treatment of attention deficit disorder, residual type. Am J Psychiatry. 1987; 144:1071-1073.
  26. Riederer P. L-Dopa competes with tyrosine and tryptophan for human brain uptake. Nutr Metab. 1980;24(6):417-423.
  27. Smith ML, Hanley WB, Clarke JT, et al. Randomised controlled trial of tyrosine supplementation on neuropsychological performance in phenylketonuria. Arch Dis Child. 1998;78(2):116-121.
  28. van Spronsen FJ, van Rijn M, Bekhof J, Koch R, Smit PG. Phenylketonuria: tyrosine supplementation in phenylalanine-restricted diets. Am J Clin Nutr. 2001;73(2):153-157.
  29. Wagenmakers AJ. Amino acid supplements to improve athletic performance. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 1999;2(6):539-544.
  30. Yehuda S. Possible anti-Parkinson properties of N-(alpha-linolenoyl) tyrosine. A new molecule. Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 2002;72(1-2):7-11.
  31. Young SN. Behavioral effects of dietary neurotransmitter precursors: basic and clinical aspects. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 1996; 20:313-323.

Taurine

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
 Meat
Poultry
 Poultry
Eggs
 Eggs
Fish
 Fish
Dairy ProductsDairy 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

  1. Azuma J, Sawamura A, Awata N, et al. Therapeutic effect of taurine in congestive heart failure: a double-blind, crossover trial. Clin Cardiol. 1985; 8:267-282.
  2. Azuma J, Sawamura Z, Awata N. Usefulness of taurine in congestive heart failure and its prospective application. Jpn Circ J. 1992; 56:95-99.
  3. Barbeau A, Donaldson J. Taurine in epilepsy. Lancet. 1973; 2(7825):387.
  4. Birdsall, Timothy C.. Therapeutic Applications of Taurine. Retrieved on 2006-08-22.
  5. Carey, Francis A. [1987] (2006). Organic Chemistry, 6th ed., New York: McGraw Hill, 1149. ISBN 0-07-282837-4.“Amino acids are carboxylic acids that contain an amine function.”
  6. Chesney RW. Taurine: is it required for infant nutrition? J Nutr. 1988; 118:6-10.
  7. Chesney RW. Taurine: its biological role and clinical implications. Advances in Pediatrics. 1985:22:1-42.
  8. Currently taurine is being tested as an anti-manic treatment for bipolar depression. Tsuboyama-Kasaoka, Nobuyo, Chikako Shozawa, Kayo Sano, Yasutomi Kamei, Seiichi Kasaoka, Yu Hosokawa and Osamu Ezaki (2006). "Taurine (2-Aminoethanesulfonic Acid) Deficiency Creates a Vicious Circle Promoting Obesity". Endocrinology 147 (7): 3276–3284. DOI:10.1210/en.2005-1007. Retrieved on 2006-08-22.
  9. Darling PB, Lepage G, Leroy C, et al. Effect of taurine supplements on fat absorption in cystic fibrosis. Pediatr Res. 1985; 19:578-582.
  10. Geggel HS, Ament ME, Heckenlively JR, et al. Nutritional requirement for taurine in patients receiving long-term parenteral supplementation. N Eng J Med. 1985; 312:142-146.
  11. Gurujeyalakshmi G, Wang Y, Giri SN. Taurine and niacin block lung injury and fibrosis by down-regulating bleomycin-induced activation of transcription nuclear factor-kappa B in mice. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2000; 293:82-90.
  12. Hayes KC, Carey RE. Retinal degeneration associated with taurine deficiency in the cat. Science. 1975; 188:949-951.
  13. Hayes KC, Sturman JA. Taurine in metabolism. Ann Rev Nutr. 1981; 1:401-425.
  14. Kirk, Kiaran, and Julie Kirk (1993). "Volume-regulatory taurine release from a human lung cancer cell line". FEBS Letters 336 (1): 153–158. DOI:doi:10.1016/0014-5793(93)81630-I.
  15. Lahdesmaki, P (1987). "Biosynthesis of taurine peptides in brain cytoplasmic fraction in vitro.". Int J Neuroscience 37 (1-2): 79–84.
  16. Laidlaw S, Shultz T, Cecchino J, Kopple J (1988) "Plasma and urine taurine levels in vegans." American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, vol. 47, pp. 660-663.
  17. McCarty MF. The reported clinical utility of taurine in ischemic disorders may reflect a down-regulation of neutrophil activation and adhesion. Med Hypothesis. 1999; 53:290-299.
  18. Militante, J. D., J. B. Lombardini (November 2002). "Treatment of hypertension with oral taurine: experimental and clinical studies". Amino Acids 23 (4): 381–393. DOI:10.1007/s00726-002-0212-0. Retrieved on 2006-08-22.
  19. Murakami S, Kondo Y, Tomisawa K, Nagate T. Prevention of atherosclerotic lesion development in mice by taurine. Drugs Exp Clin Res. 1999; 25:227-234.
  20. Nakamura T, Ogasawara M, Koyama I, et al. The protective effect of taurine on the biomembrane against damage produced by oxygen radicals. Biol Pharm Bull. 1993; 16:970-972.
  21. Niitynen L, Nurminen M-L, Korpela R, et al. Role of arginine, taurine and homocysteine in cardiovascular diseases. Ann Med. 1999; 31:318-326.
  22. Nutrient Requirements of Cats. Nutrient Requirements of Cats, Revised Edition, 1986 (1986). Retrieved on 2006-09-10.
  23. Pierson HF, Fisher JM, Rabinovitz M. Modulation by taurine of the toxicity of taumustine, a compound with antitumor activity. J Natl Canc Inst. 1985; 75:905-909.
  24. Pion PD, Kittleson MD, Rogers QR, Morris JG. Myocardial failure in cats associated with low plasma taurine: a reversible cardiomyopathy. Science. 1987; 237: 764-767.
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Tocotrienols

Reduce the risk factors for cardio-vascular diseases such as arteriosclerosis and stroke. Help lower cholesterol.

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