Taurine is an amino acid found mostly in our central nervous system, skeletal muscle, and in great concentration in our heart and brain. Taurine helps regulate the contraction of the heart muscle. Taurine is the most abundant amino acid in the heart. Important in the building skeletal muscle and white blood cells and the central nervous system. Taurine is the key component in the formation of bile, needed for the digestion of fats, the absorption of fat and fat-soluble vitamins and the control of serum cholesterol levels. •
Taurine in the nervous system, stabilizes cell membranes, which raises the seizure threshold, and helps treat epileptic seizures.
Anti-convulsant effect is long-lasting and can be confirmed both clinically and by repeat EEG's (electroencephalograms).
Anti-oxidant. Slows down the aging process by neutralizing free radicals.
Highest concentration of Taurine is in the heart.
Reduces risk of gall stones by combining with bile acids to make them water soluble.
Involved in stabilization of heart rhythm. Loss of intracellular Taurine in the heart leads to arrhythmias.
Useful in treatment of Congestive Heart Failure (CHF).
Strengthens neutrophils (white blood cells/part of immune system) in their ability to kill bacteria.
Useful in brain injury.
Decreases cholesterol levels (along with Lysine, Carnitine, and Tryptophan).
Highly concentrated in the eye.
Diabetics may suffer from low levels of Taurine, according to recent studies. This can lead to a thickening of the blood. Taurine may help the health of nerve cells. Taurine may aid in the digestion of fats and supports healthy cholesterol levels in the blood. Taurine also acts as a natural diuretic and detoxifier and is necessary in the healing of wounds.
Taurine is concentrated in the eyes where it helps protect the photoreceptors in the retina of the eye from oxidative damage caused by sunlight, while stimulating your body's ability to remove waste by-products that accumulate in the retina. Acts as inhibitory neurotransmitter.
Low Taurine levels is suggestive of candidiasis.
If Taurine levels are high, zinc and Vitamin B6 levels should be tested.
In Studies: Studies have suggested that Taurine may support the heart's health while lessening symptoms of congestive heart failure. Taurine may lower blood pressure when taken in high doses.
Technicals: Taurine is made from two sulfur containing amino acids called methionine and cysteine in conjunction with vitamin B6.
Sources: Your body can makes taurine in the liver & brain from the amino acids, L-Cysteine and L-Methionine. Three enzymes are involved in the conversion, all requiring the pyridoxal-5-phosphate form of Vitamin B6 for this conversion. Taurine is in eggs, fish, meat, and milk, but not in vegetable proteins and can be synthesized from cysteine and methionine as long as sufficient quantities of vitamin B6 are present.
Synergist: Taurine aids the movement of potassium, sodium, and calcium in and out of the cell. Taurine acts by regulating the sodium & potassium concentration in the cells & the magnesium level between the cells.
Deficiencies Caused by: Synthetic estrogen replacement (estradiol depresses the formation of taurine in the liver) therapy, chemotherapy or the lack of good bacteria in the intestinal tract block the production of taurine in the body.
Signs or Symptoms of a Deficiency: Parkinson's Disease.
Anxiety & anti-convulsant activity
Candida.
AIDS.
Cardiac insufficiency.
Hypertension.
Depression.
Kidney failure.
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