Taurine is a semi-essential amino acid also called 2-aminoethanesulfonic acid. It has a bad reputation as an energy drink additive, but it is vital for the normal functioning of the human body. Read on to learn how it is made and metabolized, the best dietary sources, and interesting interactions with genetics and health conditions here.<\/p>\n
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Taurine (L-Taurine or 2-aminoethanesulfonic acid) is a sulfur-containing amino acid [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Taurine is present in almost any tissue in the body and concentrated in key areas such as the heart, brain, and retina of the eye. A taurine-rich diet<\/a> can protect the body and promote longevity<\/a>. Yet taurine has a bad reputation because it\u2019s a popular ingredient in unhealthy energy drinks.<\/p>\n Taurine plays various important roles in the body including regulation of water status in our cells, preventing oxidation in the body, and supporting calcium signaling in key organs. Through calcium regulation properties, it helps to improve the function of cardiac, nervous and musculoskeletal tissue.<\/p>\n Humans are able to produce taurine, but not in sufficient quantities under all conditions. Therefore, taurine is a conditionally essential amino acid for humans, and nutritionists recommend getting some from diet. Some people who can easily become taurine deficient include premature and newborn infants and chronic liver, heart, and kidney disease patients [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Taurine is an osmolyte. This means it controls water entry and exit in cells and stops them from changing the cell too much in size. It interacts with fats in cell membranes and stabilizes them, preventing structural changes to the cell [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Despite the impressive range of positive effects taurine has on the body, its exact mechanisms of action still remain largely unknown [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Taurine is synthesized within the body from the only two other sulfur-containing amino acids: methionine<\/a> and cysteine<\/a> [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Taurine synthesis mostly takes place in the liver, with the help of the enzyme cysteine sulfinic acid and vitamin B6<\/a> (pyridoxine) [R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Other cells in our bodies are able to take up taurine from the blood thanks to the special taurine transporter (TauT) molecule that is found on cell membranes [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Taurine is an essential nutrient for newborn children as they are yet not able to synthesize or retain taurine within their bodies. Breast milk contains the full taurine requirement for infants, as does modern day baby formula [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Taurine exits the body as part of bile<\/a> or urine [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n The kidneys are able to increase or decrease taurine excretion depending on dietary availability of taurine. High amounts of taurine in urine indicate high dietary intake [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n When taurine is needed, taurine transporter molecules in the kidneys resorb and conserve taurine in the body [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Individuals with compromised kidney function or faulty taurine transporters may not be able to retain sufficient amounts of taurine [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Humans\u2019 main source of taurine is dietary, and taurine is naturally present in [R<\/a>]:<\/p>\n The average daily taurine consumption in Americans are provided as follows:<\/p>\n Human breast milk also contains taurine. The amounts of taurine in breast milk vary depending on the diet of the mother. Omnivorous mothers have been found to contain one and a half times the amount of taurine in their milk as vegetarian<\/a> mothers [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Taurine levels within the body have been known to decrease due to surgical injury, chemotherapy, heroin addiction, Tylenol overdose, and many other numerous disease-causing conditions such as trauma, cancer, hypertension, diabetes, epilepsy, and liver disease [R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Human studies have shown that vitamin B6 deficiency<\/b> can lead to taurine deficiency because vitamin B-6 is needed for the synthesis of taurine by the body [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n The essential amino acids methionine<\/b> is also needed for taurine synthesis by the body. Therefore, reduced methionine intake can also lower taurine levels in the body [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n A strict vegan and vegetarian diets <\/b>result in taurine deficiency because they provide little to no dietary taurine [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n The aging process reduces the body’s ability synthesize taurine [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n The amino acid beta-alanine<\/a> may block the action of the taurine transporter in the body and lead to low levels of taurine [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n The antiepileptic drug vigabatrin also depletes taurine from the retina [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Those who are susceptible to taurine deficiency may be advised to supplement. Talk to your doctor if you believe that you may benefit.<\/p>\nHow the Body Makes Taurine<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
How the Body Removes Taurine<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
Dietary Sources<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n
What Foods are High in Taurine?<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
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Conditions that Decrease Taurine Levels<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n
What Decreases the Body’s Ability to Absorb or Synthesize Taurine?<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n