Ingredients
Taurine
Taurine is one of the most abundant organic compounds. It was first isolated from the bile of the ox, and this is where its name is derived from: the Latin word for ox, Bos taurus. (1)
Taurine is present both in mammals and in almost all lower species as well as in the plant kingdom, with especially high concentration in algae. In addition, numerous kinds of fish and other marine animals contain taurine. (2)(3)
Taurine is the most frequently occurring free amino acid in the human body and can make up as much as 50% of all free amino acids. A 70-kg human contains up to 70g of taurine. Taurine can be found in high amounts in human tissue, especially in muscle, liver, lungs, brain and bile. (4)
Biological Actions of Taurine
Taurine is a molecule of a rather simple structure exercising various functions in the human organism.
Through cysteine, another amino acid, and the vitamin B6, the human body is able to produce taurine.
In some cases, however, the human organism cannot generate sufficient taurine, e.g. in premature babies, as the enzyme necessary for the organic synthesis (cysteine sulfinate decarboxylase) can only be produced at a later stage. (5)
International experts are currently discussing whether or not taurine should have the same ranking as essential amino acids. (6)
These are vital, i.e. life-supporting compounds that cannot be produced in sufficient concentrations by the human metabolism and where thus the body has to rely on nutritional sources instead.
The effects of Taurine
- Taurine plays an important part also in the human retina. It helps to maintain the structure and functionality of photoreceptors. In this respect, taurine is essential in the fetal development of the eye and consequently, in case of taurine shortage, defective vision may occur. In the New England Journal of Medicine, an American team of scientists has published the following: infants, who for some time have been artificially fed through infusions, have shown alterations in the retina, as they have been exposed to a lack of taurine which allows the conclusion that it has a positive effect on the process of establishing functioning photoreceptors.
- Taurine has marked effects on the fetal development of the hearing too. (7)(8)
- During the development of the brain, taurine stimulates the establishment of synapses and generally acts as a neurotransmitter in the brain.
- By binding taurine to bile acids, the breaking down of lipids in the digestive process is notably facilitated.
- The action of taurine on the cardio-vascular-system is a highly complex one and has, as yet, not been fully investigated. There is proof, however, that taurine both inhibits cardiac arrhythmia and lowers blood pressure. (9)(10)
- Taurine improves sperm motility, thus increasing procreative capacity.
- Taurine contributes to the maintainance of the electrolytic balance. (2)
- Taurine has been shown to have a protective effect on cells, especially on leukocytes and neurons. (2)
Scope of Application
- In case of intoxication through herbicides (11), heart medication and as headache reliever (12), taurine has already been effectively applied.
- In the treatment of osteoporosis (decline of bone tissue), a Japanese team of scientists has suggested the positive effect of taurine, in both preventive and therapeutical treatment. (13)
- Based on its anti-oxidative role, its effect on inflammations and generation of connective tissue, taurine has recently been proposed as agent in the process of wound healing. (14)
- The results of a study carried out simultaneously in numerous Italian clinics have shown that in case of pancreas-deficiency the application of taurine is advisable. (15)
- Taurine has had a positive effect on patients with cardiac disorders at the university hospital of Osaka, Japan. (16)
Corresponding to the various illnesses, taurine has been administered in different doses, ranging from 0.24g to 4g daily. As to the side effects of taurine, there are no data available.