Taurine is a sulfur-containing amino acid (as are methionine and cysteine). Body stores of taurine are concentrated in the muscles and central nervous system. The body can make taurine from methionine and cysteine, which is why it's considered nonessential-but it can also be obtained from animal protein foods such as meat, milk, eggs, and fish. Taurine is receiving increased attention from researchers who believe it to be a much more important amino acid than previously thought.
Not only is taurine a potent antioxidant, but it (along with the amino acids arginine and homocysteine) has been shown to affect some of the risk factors for heart disease. Specifically, taurine seems to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Studies with animals have indicated that LDL ("bad" cholesterol) and triglyceride levels in particular are decreased with taurine supplementation. In addition, in studies where animals were fed a high-cholesterol diet, taurine supplements reduced both blood and liver cholesterol levels.
Another way that taurine may benefit cardiovascular health is by reducing the tendency of special blood cells, called platelets, to stick together or aggregate. Sticky platelets can form blood clots, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke if they block arteries to the heart or brain. In a study conducted at Brandeis University, platelets from taurine-depleted animals were twice as sensitive to aggregation as platelets from animals receiving taurine. In humans receiving supplemental taurine (even though their taurine status was normal to begin with), resistance to platelet aggregation increased by 30 to 70 percent. In other words, decreased platelet "stickiness" was seen with increased taurine.
Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease that affects the pancreas, respiratory system, and sweat glands. People with cystic fibrosis do not absorb fat well because of pancreatic malfunctioning, and the result is chronic fatty diarrhea called steatorrhea. Taurine supplementation has been found in a few studies to decrease steatorrhea. In one study 22 children with cystic fibrosis and documented steatorrhea received taurine capsules (30 milligrams per kilogram body weight per day). Steatorrhea improved in the 19 participants who completed the study, and in the 10 children with the more severe steatorrhea, the decrease in fat loss approached 20 percent. These studies suggest that taurine supplementation can be a useful therapy in cystic fibrosis patients with fat malabsorption.
L-Taurine Side Effects
Taurine is considered safe, and taurine has not been reported to cause any severe side effects.
L-Taurine Supplements
Blood levels of taurine have been found to be low in people in some instances. For example, strict vegetarians (vegans) may have low levels of taurine, and studies show that cancer patients also have low levels after they receive chemotherapy or radiation treatments. In addition, people who receive intravenous nutrition (feedings by vein) for long periods of time have been shown to be taurine-depleted.
However, there is no classical taurine deficiency in normal, healthy people because the body can make the amino acid if necessary. Taurine supplements are sometimes marketed as being necessary for the digestion of fats, but there is no research to show that healthy people need additional taurine for fat digestion or utilization by the body.
