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High concentrations of taurine are found in the heart muscle, white blood cells, skeletal muscle, and central nervous system. In adults, but not children, this nutrient can be manufactured from methionine in the body and from cysteine in the liver, but vitamin B-6 must be present. It is a building of all the other amino acids as well as a key component of bile, which is needed for the digestion of fats, the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, and the control of serum cholesterol levels. Taurine is incorporated in the bile acid chenodeoxychloic acid, which emulsify the dietary fats. Taurine can be useful for people with atherosclerosis, edema, heart disorders, hypertension, or hypoglycemia. It is vital for the proper utilization of sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium in the body and for maintaining cell membrane integrity. It has been shown to play a particular role in sparing the loss of potassium from the heart muscle. This helps to prevent the development of potentially dangerous cardiac arrhythmias.
Taurine has a protective effect on the brain, particularly when the brain is dehydrated. It is used to treat anxiety, epilepsy, hyperactivity, poor brain function, and seizures. Taurine is found in concentrations up to four times greater in the brains of children than in those of adults. It may be that a deficiency of taurine in the developing brain is involved in epileptic attacks. Zinc deficiency also is commonly found in people with epilepsy, and this may play a part in the deficiency of taurine. Taurine is also associated with zinc in maintaining eye function; a deficiency of both may impair vision. Taurine supplementation may benefit children with Down syndrome and muscular dystrophy. This amino acid is also used in some clinics for breast cancer treatment.
TAURINE DEFICIENCY
Excessive losses of taurine through the urine can be caused by metabolic disorders. Cardiac arrhythmias, disorders of platelet formation, intestinal problems, and overgrowth of candida, physical or emotional stress, a zinc deficiency, and excessive consumption of alcohol are all associated with high urinary losses of taurine. Excessive alcohol consumption also causes the body to lose its ability to utilize taurine properly. Diabetes increases the body's requirements for taurine; conversely, supplementation with taurine and cystine may decrease the need for insulin.
A deficiency may impair vision and problems with fat metabolism may appear, and a theory exists that it may also be involved in epilepsy developing.
SOURCES
Taurine is found in eggs, fish, meat, and milk, but not in vegetable proteins.
It can be synthesized from cysteine in the liver and from methionine elsewhere in the body, as long as sufficient quantities of vitamin B-6 are present. Synthesis by the body is crucial. For vegetarians (Vegans) who consume no eggs or dairy products ingest virtually no taurine through their diets, but normally have enough since the body can manufacture the requirements. Children with Down's syndrome may benefit from taurine, and women being treated for breast cancer as well. For people with genetic or metabolic disorders that prevent the synthesis of taurine, taurine supplementation is required. Metabolic disorders can cause loss of this nutrient via urine. Diabetics may also benefit from this nutrient, since this disease increase the need for this nutrient.
High intake of alcohol may cause the body not to be able to use it fully.
DOSAGE
The dosage listed is the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA), but be aware that this dosage is the minimum that you require per day, to ward off serious deficiency of this particular nutrient. In the therapeutic use of this nutrient, the dosage is usually increased considerably, but the toxicity level must be kept in mind.
No dosage has been established, but people who take supplements normally take 2 grams, three times per day.
TOXICITY & SYMPTOMS OF HIGH INTAKE
No toxicity has been determine and most people would not require a supplement and even small children derive enough of it through human milk, or infant formulas.
MOLECULAR DESCRIPTION
Taurine is a non-essential sulfur-containing amino acid that functions with glycine and gamma-aminobutyric acid as a neuroinhibitory transmitter. While taurine does not have a genetic codon and is not incorporated into proteins and enzymes, it does play an important role in bile acid metabolism. Taurine is incorporated into one of the most abundant bile acids, chenodeoxychloic acid where it serves to emulsify dietary lipids in the intestine, promoting digestion.
TAURINE SUPPLEMENTS & PRODUCTS
L-Taurine, Free Form, NOW Foods, 500 mg, 100 Caps
L-Taurine is considered a Non-Essential Amino Acid that helps stabilize the excitability of membranes which is very important in the control of epileptic seizures.
Taurine, Double Strength, Free Form Amino Acid, NOW Foods, 1000 mg, 100 Caps
NOW Taurine is a free-form amino acid that participates in a variety of metabolic processes. Taurine is a neurotransmitter, a neuromodulator and is involved in glucose uptake. It is found in meats, fish, milk and eggs, but not in vegetable proteins, so supplementation is especially important for vegetarians.
Health Remedies: Taurine / L-Taurine Supplements & Products
Herbal Remedies: Taurine / L-Taurine Information
MoonDragon's Health Information: Nutrition Basics - Amino Acids Index
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