Taurine
- Taurine is an amino sulfonic acid, but it is often referred to as an amino acid, a chemical that is a required building block of protein. Taurine is found in large amounts in the brain, retina, heart, and blood cells called platelets. The best food sources are meat and fish.
- You may see taurine referred to as “a conditional amino acid,” to distinguish it from “an essential amino acid.” A “conditional amino acid” can be manufactured by the body, but an “essential amino acid” cannot be made by the body and must be provided by the diet. People who, for one reason or another, cannot make taurine, must get all the taurine they need from their diet or supplements. For example, supplementation is necessary in infants who are not breastfed because their ability to make taurine is not yet developed and cow’s milk does not provide enough taurine. So taurine is often added to infant formulas. People who are being tube-fed often need taurine as well, so it is added to the nutritional products that they use. Excess taurine is excreted by the kidneys.
Contents
Uses
- Congestive heart failure (CHF)
- High blood pressure
- Liver disease (hepatitis)
- High cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia)
- Cystic fibrosis
- Seizure disorders (epilepsy)
- Autism
- Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Eye problems (disorders of the retina)
- Diabetes
- Alcoholism
- Mental performance
- Antioxidant.
Benefits
- There is some evidence that it improves the function of the left ventricle, one of the chambers of the heart.
- Taurine might also improve heart failure because it seems to lower blood pressure and calm the sympathetic nervous system, which is often too active in people with high blood pressure and CHF. The sympathetic nervous system is the part of the nervous system that responds to stress.
- Liver disease (hepatitis): Early research suggests that taking 1.5-4 grams of taurine daily for up to 3 months improves liver function in people with hepatitis.
Interactions
Moderate Interaction Be cautious with this combination:
- Lithium interacts with TAURINE: Taurine might have an effect like a water pill or “diuretic.” Taking taurine might decrease how well the body gets rid of lithium. This could increase how much lithium is in the body and result in serious side effects. Talk with your healthcare provider before using this product if you are taking lithium. Your lithium dose might need to be changed.
Other Names
2-Aminoethylsulfonic Acid, 2-Aminoethane Sulfonic Acid, Acide Aminoéthylsulfonique, Acide Kétoisocaproïque de Taurine, Acid Aminoethanesulfonate, Aminoethanesulfonate, Aminoéthylsulfonique, Éthyl Ester de Taurine, L-Taurine, Taurina, Taurine Ethyl Ester, Taurine Ketoisocaproic Acid.
References
Source: WebMD, “Taurine”, www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/