Amino Acids

	Folic Acid
	Glutathione
	Glycine
	Methionine
	Ornithine
	Phenylalanine
	Proline
	Taurine
	Threonine
	Tryptophan
	Tyrosine
	Valine

Taurine - Benefits, Deficiency Symptoms And Food Sources

Taurine is a nonprotein amino acid. It is one of the sulphur containing amino acids. Taurine is present in high amounts in the brain, retina, myocardium, skeletal and smooth muscle, platelets and neutrophils. It is nonessential and can be manufactured from cysteine, another amino acid that is even rarer in diets. It is found in many animals, especially sea animals, mainly shellfish. It is possible that if not enough taurine is made in the body, especially if cysteine or B6 is deficient, it might be further required in the diet.

Functions and Benefits of Taurine

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 produced in the body from L-cysteine. The first reaction in the pathway is the formation of cysteine sulfinic acid. Cysteine sulfinic acid (CSA) is converted to hypotaurine via the enzyme CSA-decarboxylase, and taurine is formed from hypotaurine. Basically, its function is to facilitate the passage of sodium, potassium and possibly calcium and magnesium ions into and out of cells and to stabilize electrically the cell membranes. It is thought to be helpful with anxiety, hyperactivity, poor brain function and epilepsy as well as hydrating the brain. Taurine, together with zinc is also required for proper eye health and vision.

Research shows low taurine levels at seizure sites and its anti-convulsant effect comes from its ability to stabilize nerve cell membranes, which prevents the erratic firing of nerve cells.

Recommended Dosage for Taurine

For the treatment of various medical conditions, doctors typically recommend 1.5 grams to as much as 6 grams or more per day. The general dosage for people who have edema, high blood pressure, and seizure disorders range from 0.5-4g a day. In high doses, taurine may increase slightly the secretion of stomach acid.

Food Sources of Taurine

Taurine is a nonessential amino acid, which means that it is manufactured from other amino acids in the liver. Taurine is found mostly in meat and fish. Good sources of taurine include brewer's yeast, eggs and other dairy products, fish and red meat. It is highly present in sea foods such as clam, squid, octopus, and oyster.

Deficiency Symptoms of Taurine

Possible symptoms of toxicity from taurine supplementation include diarrhea and peptic ulcers. Another deiciency symptoms areeterioration of bile salts formation, decreased cholesterol solubility and protein uptake, epilepsy, decreased vision, and decreased osmotic control of calcium and potassium levels in the heart.