Taurine is one of the most abundant
amino acids in the body. It's found in the central nervous system, skeletal muscle and is very concentrated in the
brain and
heart.
Vegetarians with an unbalanced
protein intake, and therefore deficient in methionine or cysteine may have difficulty manufacturing Taurine.
Taurine functions in electrically active tissues such as the brain and heart to help stabilise cell membranes. Taurine seems to inhibit and modulate
neurotransmitters in the brain and helps to stabilise cell membranes. It also has functions in the
gallbladder,
eyes, and
blood vessels and appears to have some antioxidant and detoxifying activity. Taurine aids the movement of
potassium,
sodium,
calcium, and
magnesium in and out of cells and thus helps generate nerve impulses.
Zinc seems to support this effect of Taurine. There have been reports on the benefits of Taurine supplementation for
epileptics. It has also been found to control motor tics, such as uncontrollable facial
twitches. Taurines' effectiveness in
epilepsy has been limited by its poor diffusion across the blood-brain barrier.
In Japan, Taurine therapy is used in the treatment of ischemic heart disease. Low Taurine and magnesium levels have been found in patients after
heart attacks. Like magnesium, Taurine affects cell membrane electrical excitability by normalising potassium flow in and out of heart muscle cells. Supplements decrease the tendency to develop potentially lethal abnormal heart arrythmias after heart attacks. People with congestive heart failure have also responded to supplementation with improved cardiac and respiratory function.
Taurine is necessary for the chemical reactions that produce normal vision, and deficiencies are associated with retinal degeneration. Besides protecting the retina, Taurine may help prevent and possibly reverse age-related
cataracts. Low levels of Taurine and other
sulphur containing amino acids are associated with high blood pressure, and Taurine supplements have been shown to lower blood pressure in some studies.
Taurine has been related to an increase in the metabolism of fats. Most drinks containing Taurine are high in sugar and unsuitable for dieters, however a range of "diet" sugar-free drinks have hit the market which contain the same levels of Taurine. Recent UK tests have shown that these drinks, combined with a structured diet (such as
Weight Watchers™), can help the dieting process. The results have helped make
Vodka and Diet Red Bull the alcoholic choice of dieters.