Taurine
Description
Taurine is a nonessential amino acid, which means it is manufactured from other amino acids in the liver; it does not have to be obtained directly through the diet.
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 1,200mg per day. It has also been shown to be useful in prevention of cardiac arrhythmias or heartbeat irregularities in animal studies. Taurine has recently been used therapeutically for such problems as epilepsy, cardiac arrythmia, cholesterol-saturated bile, and dystrophies. Dose ranges of taurine are from 200 to 2,000mg per day in divided doses.
Because taurine is synthesized from methionine, which is found in greatest concentration in animal products, it is possible that strict vegetarians on a poorly balanced protein diet 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.
Recommended Dietary Allowances
Taurine is a nonessential amino acid, therefore an RDA has not been established. 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.
Food Sources
Taurine is a nonessential amino acid, which means it is manufactured from other amino acids in the liver; it does not have to be obtained directly through the diet.
Method of Action
Taurine is synthesized from the essential amino acid methionine. It works as a neuromodulator or membrane-active amino acid helping the cell to hold onto potassium.
In the central nervous system, taurine has been known as a neuroinhibitory neuromodulator that works along with gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA), glycine, and glutamine.
Taurine levels are high in white blood cells, and seem to be involved in the respiratory burst resulting in proper immune function and prevention of free radical damage to cells.
References
Blackburn, G.L., Grant, J.P., Young, V.R., ed. Amino Acids Metabolism and Medical Applications.
Jacobsen, J.G. & Smith, L.H., Jr. Biochemistry and Physiology of Taurine and Taurine Derivatives. Physiol. Rev., 48:424-511, 1968.
Munro, H.N. & Crim, M.C. The Proteins and Amino Acids. Modern Nutrition in Health & Disease, eds. R.S. Goodhart & M.E. Shils. 6 ed., Philadelphia: Lea and Febiger, 1980.
Walser, M., Sapir, D.G., Mitch, W.E. & Chan, W. Effects of Branched Chain Ketoacids in Normal Subjects and Patients. Metabolism and Clinical Applications of Branched Chain Amino and Ketoacids, eds: M. Walser & Williamson, (New York: Elsevier/North Holland, 1981), p. 291.
White, A., Handler, P., Smith, E.L., Hill, R.L. & Lehman, I.R., Principles of Biochemistry, 6th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1978.
Young, V.R., Meguid, M., Meredith, D.E. & Bier, D.M. Recent Developments in Knowledge of Human Amino Acid Requirements. Nitrogen Metabolism in Man, eds: J.C. Waterlow & J.M.L. Stephen. London: Applied Science Publishers, 1981.
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