Taurine

Picture of Taurine

Biochemical Effects:

stabilizes cell membranes and regulates mineral flux
involved in bile-acid conjugation
inhibits platelet aggregation
plays a role in normal retinal function
positive inotropic effect (helps the heart pump better)
functions as a neurotransmitter.

Clinical Indications:

1. Congestive heart failure:

In an uncontrolled trial, supplementation with 4 g/day produced marked clinical improvement within 3-21 days in 5 of 7 patients. In a double-blind trial, supplementation with 2 g, 3 times per day, was significantly more effective than placebo, according to various subjective and objective criteria.

2. Inhibition of platelet aggregation:

At doses of 400 and 1,600 mg/day for 8 days, taurine decreased platelet aggregation by 25% and 72%, respectively,in healthy volunteers. Supplementation of insulin-dependent diabetics with 500 mg, 3 times per day for 90 days, corrected subnormal plasma and platelet taurine concentrations and normalized excessive platelet aggregation (uncontrolled trials).

3. Epilepsy:

Varying doses (up to 8 g/day) have been used in several uncontrolled trials, with results varying from dramatic improvement to no effect. Taurine is believed to act as a stabilizer of membrane excitability.

4. Diabetes:

Diabetics have been reported to have low plasma and platelet levels of taurine, which increased to normal after supplementation with 500 mg, 3 times per day (uncontrolled trial). Taurine deficiency may play a role in the etiology of diabetic complications, such as retinal and cardiac disease and atherosclerosis (theoretical, based on experimental observations).

5. Iron-deficiency anemia:

Supplementation with 1,000 mg/day of taurine improved the response to iron supplementation in women with iron deficiency anemia, as assessed by serum hemoglobin and ferritin concentrations (double-blind study).

Dosage and Administration:

Good food sources of taurine include fish and meat. Few, if any, plant foods contain taurine. Although taurine is synthesized in the human body from cysteine, plasma and urinary levels of taurine are significantly lower in vegans than in omnivores, suggesting that there may be a nutritional requirement for taurine. The usual dosage range for supplementation is 1-4 g/day.

Toxicity:

No significant adverse effects