Standard reference laboratories like LabCorp or Quest Diagnostics test taurine as part of amino acid profiles. If you suspect a taurine deficiency in your patient, test levels in urine or plasma. CSD deficiency may play a role in the development of fatty liver disease. (Kaisaki, Jerkins, Goodspeed, Steele, & Kaisakia, 1995) Women using hormone replacement benefit from such supplementation. CSD activity can be suppressed by triiodothyronine and estrogen. Consequently, this results in excessive excretion of the amino acid in the urine.Ĭysteine sulfinic decarboxylase (CSD) is the rate-limiting enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of taurine. Candida albicans overgrowth causes overproduction of beta-alanine that competes with taurine resorption. In addition, not enough vitamins A, B12, pyridoxal-5-phosphate, and zinc is associated with low taurine. Since methionine and cysteine are precursors of taurine, diets low in these amino acids can result in a deficiency. Furthermore, this type of deficiency may occur in plant-based diets that replaced red meat with chicken. Taurine deficiency is shown in non-vegan diets absent in meat and seafood. (Tôrres, Backus, Fascetti, & Rogers, 2003) Unfortunately, this amino acid is low in processed pet foods. For example, some animals, like cats, don’t make taurine and all of it has to come from what they eat. Veterinary scientists have researched taurine deficiency extensively. (Laidlaw, Shultz, Cecchino, & Kopple, 1988) A 2004 study also suggests that it is an important supplement for a low-fat vegan diet. A study in 1988, found that strict vegetarians had a significantly lower plasma and urinary levels of taurine. Therefore, borderline low levels of taurine are relatively common.īecause this amino acid mainly occurs in animal foods, vegetarians are at risk for a deficiency. But unfortunately, the modern high sugar processed food diet is deficient. Some of the amino acid is made in your body, but most comes from food, especially meats and seafood. Delays muscle atrophy during aging (De Luca, Pierno, & Camerino, 2015).Protective effects in brain injury (Wang et al., 2016).Decreases blood pressure (Liang et al., 2017).Limits complications of diabetes (Ito, Schaffer, & Azuma, 2012).Reduces oxidative stress caused by diabetes (Patel & Lau-Cam, 2017).Prevents cataracts (Choudhary & Bodakhe, 2016).Additionally, this amino acid is useful for age-related degenerative vision changes. Therefore, dietary supplementation with taurine reduces the damaging effects of diabetes on the retina. Taurine plays a role in eye health by exerting a protective effect on the retina. (Schaffer, Jong, Shetewy, Ramila, & Ito, 2017) It also reduces respiratory function and contributes to the severity of cardiomyopathy. When low, it decreases ATP generation up to 25%. Low taurine levels in the body are associated with retinal degeneration, growth retardation, and cardiovascular disease. Taurine deficiency may be more common than expected. Cognitive performance is improved when it is combined with caffeine, also common in energy drinks. The combination of ginseng and taurine in some energy drinks may offer synergistic benefits. It’s also essential for energy production, which is why energy drinks contain taurine. (Jong, Azuma, & Schaffer, 2012) In additon, taurine’s antioxidant effects can protect against age-related lipid peroxidation. It serves as a regulator of mitochondrial protein synthesis for protecting mitochondria from superoxide generation. Yet, researchers found that it is neither a classical free radical scavenger nor a regulator of antioxidant defenses. Additionally, it’s an unusual chemical because it is one of few amino groups containing sulfonic acid, which are stronger than carboxylic acids. Taurine is termed an amino acid because it’s an acid containing an amino group. Yet, it’s not an amino acid in the usual biochemical sense. Most amino acid compounds contain both an amino and a carboxyl group. It’s essential for cardiovascular function, the development and function of skeletal muscles, the retina, and the central nervous system. Therefore, it plays many biological roles, including conjugation of bile acids, helps maintain fluid homeostasis, stabilizes cell membrane, and manages calcium signaling. It also stabilizes cell membranes, and has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions. It controls muscle metabolism and much more. Current research describes taurine as a primary nutrient.
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