Health Benefits of Taurine (information from Tony)

Cardiovascular System

 

Taurine may help to prevent and treat Arrhythmias. 

Taurine may help to prevent and treat Atherosclerosis. 

Taurine may help to prevent abnormal Blood Clotting. 

Taurine may help to prevent and treat Cardiomyopathy. 

 

Taurine (1,000 - 4,000 mg per day) may improve cardiac and respiratory function in Congestive Heart Failure patients. 

Taurine concentrates in the Heart    and (5,000 - 6,000 mg per day of supplemental Taurine) may alleviate Ischemic Heart Disease: 

 

By normalizing Potassium flow into and out of Cardiac Muscle cells, Taurine normalizes the electrical excitability of the Cell Membranes of Cardiac Muscle and enhances the contractile strength of the Cardiac Muscle. 

Taurine modulates the activity of cyclic AMP within Cardiac Muscle.

Persons who have experienced a Heart Attack often exhibit very low Taurine levels subsequent to their Heart Attack (indicating that supplemental Taurine may be highly advisable for persons who have experienced a Heart Attack).  Taurine may also help to prevent Heart Attack: 

 

Taurine may help to prevent potentially lethal Arrhythmias after Heart Attacks.  

 

Taurine is the most abundant and most important Amino Acid in the Heart (it is present in the Heart in greater quantities than all other Amino Acids combined).

 

Taurine (6,000 mg per day) may lower Blood Pressure in Hypertension patients (by suppressing Renin-Angiotensin) - it usually requires four weeks of daily supplementation with Taurine before its Blood Pressure-lowering effects occur. Following Ischemia, Taurine levels fall to approximately 33% of their normal levels (indicating that supplemental Taurine may be useful for persons affected by Ischemia). 

Taurine may help to prevent Stroke.

Taurine may stabilize Cell Membranes and may help to prevent various toxins from damaging Cell Membranes. 

 

Digestive System

 

Taurine may facilitate the digestion of dietary Fats (due to it being a component of Bile). 

Taurine may help to prevent the formation of (Cholesterol) Gallstones. 

Taurine may inhibit the ability of Alcohol (ethanol) to damage the Gastric Mucosa. 

Taurine may reduce the severity of Pancreatitis. 

 

Excretory System

 

Taurine may help to prevent or treat Diabetic Nephropathy. 

Taurine concentrates in the cortex of the Kidneys. 

Taurine may stimulate the production of Urine (i.e. it functions as a Diuretic).

 

Eyes/Vision

 

Taurine may help to prevent and reverse Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD) (Taurine concentrates in the Macula of the Retina, where it exerts Antioxidant effects that may counteract ARMD). 

Taurine may help to prevent (and may also possibly reverse) Cataracts by inhibiting the glycosylation process in the Lens of the Eye that is an underlying cause of Cataracts. 

 

Taurine may alleviate the Eye Fatigue caused from working with Visual Display Terminals. 

Taurine concentrates in the Macula. 

Retinitis Pigmentosa may occur as a result of Taurine deficiency. 

Taurine may help to prevent (diabetic) Retinopathy. 

Taurine enhances the function of the Rods and Cones of the Retina of the Eyes which makes it essential for optimal Sight - Taurine deficiency can cause degeneration of the Retina. 

 

Immune System

 

Taurine may be useful for the treatment of Liver Cancer (it inhibits Lipid Peroxidation in the Liver, enhances cellular defense mechanisms in the Liver and protects the Liver against membrane disintegration in Liver Cancer patients). 

Taurine may improve the function of Neutrophils - it may improve the ability of Neutrophils to function as Phagocytes and may improve the ability of Neutrophils to destroy Detrimental Bacteria.  High levels of Taurine are present in Neutrophils. 

 

Taurine may reduce the Inflammation that occurs during Surgery. 

Taurine concentrates in White Blood Cells.

Taurine is a potent Antioxidant. 

Taurine may help to prevent Cholestasis (congested Liver). 

Taurine may lower total serum Cholesterol levels (due to its role as a component of Sodium Taurocholate): 

 

Taurine may increase HDL Cholesterol levels. 

Taurine lowers LDL Cholesterol levels. 

Taurine lowers VLDL Cholesterol levels. 

 

Taurine helps to prevent Cirrhosis and is of possible benefit to existing Cirrhosis patients. 

Taurine may inhibit Cross-Linking (especially the glycation form of Cross-Linking). 

Taurine may improve the condition of Diabetes Mellitus patients:

 

Taurine may alleviate Diabetes Mellitus Type 1 (by potentiating the effects of Insulin). 

Taurine may improve Insulin sensitivity in Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 patients. 

Taurine may help to prevent or treat Diabetic Nephropathy in Diabetes Mellitus patients. 

 

Taurine may counteract the ability of intensive Exercise to damage the body’s Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) and may increase the duration of Exercise that can be undertaken before exhaustion occurs. 

Taurine may help to prevent Alcohol-induced Fatty Liver. 

Taurine may prevent/counteract Cardiovascular System damage in Hemochromatosis patients. 

 

Taurine may reduce Insulin Resistance (by improving Insulin sensitivity). 

Taurine may reduce the Liver damage caused by Alcohol (ethanol), Paracetamol, Carbon Tetrachloride and other toxins. 

Taurine may increase Stamina.

 

Musculoskeletal System

 Taurine (1,000 - 2,000 mg per day) may reduce Muscle Cramps in many persons (especially the Muscle Cramps commonly experienced by Cirrhosis patients). 

Taurine concentrates in Skeletal Muscles.

 

Nervous System

 

Taurine may be a valuable adjunct in the treatment of Alzheimer's Disease - especially when supplemental Taurine is combined with Vitamin B2 and Zinc.  Anxiety may occur as a result of Taurine deficiency and supplemental Taurine may alleviate Anxiety. The Hyperactivity associated with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) may occur as a result of Taurine deficiency. Autism patients may be deficient in Taurine. Taurine concentrates in the Brain and Central Nervous System (CNS) - Taurine is the second most abundant Amino Acid (after Glutamic Acid) in the Brain. Taurine may help to prevent Convulsions. Taurine may alleviate some cases of Depression. Epilepsy can occur as a result of Taurine deficiency and supplemental Taurine produces anti-convulsant effects in Epilepsy patients.

Taurine concentrates in the Hippocampus (where it plays a role in Memory by increasing Histamine and Acetylcholine levels). 

 

Taurine may alleviate Insomnia (by sedating the Central Nervous System). 

Taurine may help to protect the Brain from the toxic effects of Hypoxia. 

Taurine may improve Learning ability: 

Taurine may inhibit Lead-induced impairment of Learning ability.

Taurine is involved in the maintenance of Memory (within the Brain Taurine increases Histamine, GABA and Acetylcholine levels): 

Taurine may inhibit Alcohol (ethanol)-induced Memory impairment.

Taurine may inhibit Lead-induced Memory impairment.

Taurine may improve Mood. 

Taurine may stabilize the Myelin in the Myelin Sheaths of Neurons. 

Within the Brain, Taurine functions as a Neurotransmitter (as an Inhibitory Neurotransmitter). 

Taurine concentrates in the Olfactory Bulb. 

Taurine may alleviate some of the symptoms of Parkinson's Disease (by sedating the Central Nervous System). 

Taurine concentrates in the Pineal Gland. 

Taurine may alleviate (muscular) Tics. 

 

Respiratory System

Taurine may be useful for the treatment of Asthma. 

Taurine may protect the Lungs from the toxic effects of exposure to environmental Ozone. 

 

Sexual System

Taurine may alleviate some cases of Male Infertility (i.e. those cases that are caused by impaired Sperm motility). 

 

Water & Water Balance

Taurine may alleviate Edema (by stimulating the production of Urine). 

Taurine may Enhance the Function of these Substances

 

Bile Salts

Taurine is an essential component of Bile (as the Bile Salt - Sodium Taurocholate). 

 

Enzymes

Taurine activates Aldehyde Dehydrogenase. 

Taurine may counteract the ability of Homocysteine to reduce (extracellular) Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) levels. 

 

Hormones

Taurine may stimulate the production of Human Growth Hormone (hGH). 

Taurine may potentiate the effects of Insulin. 

 

Minerals

Taurine facilitates the transport of some Minerals into and out of the body's Cells, including: - Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Selenium, Sodium 

 

Neurotransmitters

Taurine may increase Acetylcholine levels within the Hippocampus. 

Taurine may increase Histamine levels within the Hippocampus. 

 

Peptides

Taurine may increase platelet Glutathione levels. 

 

Second Messengers

Taurine modulates the activity of cyclic AMP (cAMP) in Cardiac Muscle. 

 

Vitamins

Taurine may facilitate the digestion of Fat-Soluble Vitamins (due to it being an essential component of Bile in the Bile Salt -Sodium Taurocholate - which is essential for the digestion of Fat-Soluble Vitamins).

In-Tele-Health © 2005  (from Hyperhealth Pro CD-ROM)

Taurine may Counteract these Potentially Toxic Substances

 

Aldehydes

Taurine may reduce the toxicity of Acetaldehyde.  This effect occurs from Taurine activating the Aldehyde Dehydrognease enzyme that accelerates the clearance of Acetaldehyde, from the body.  Studies have shown that Taurine inhibits the rise in plasma Acetaldehyde levels that normally result from Alcohol consumption. 

 

Amino Acids

Taurine may counteract the ability of Homocysteine to reduce (extracellular) Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) levels and Taurine may inhibit Homocysteine-induced damage to the Heart. 

 

Electromagnetic Radiation

Taurine (2,000 mg per day) may help to counteract the severe depletion of serum Taurine that occurs as a result of Radiation Therapy

 

Environmental Toxins

Taurine may reduce the Liver damage caused by Carbon Tetrachloride. 

 

Gases

Taurine may protect against the toxic effects of Ozone and may prevent Ozone-induced damage to the Lungs. 

 

Hormones

Taurine may inhibit the release of Adrenaline.

 

Minerals

Taurine may counteract the toxic effects of excessive Iron. 

Taurine may facilitate the excretion of some Toxic Minerals:

Taurine may facilitate the excretion of Aluminum. 

Taurine may facilitate the excretion of Arsenic.

Taurine may facilitate the excretion of Cadmium and minimizes the toxic effects associated with Cadmium. 

Taurine may reduce the toxic effects associated with Lead exposure (due to the Antioxidant properties of Taurine). 

 

Pharmaceutical Drugs

 

Taurine may reduce the Liver damage caused by Paracetamol. 

Taurine may counteract the severe depletion of serum Taurine caused by the Anti-Cancer Pharmaceutical Drugs utilized in Chemotherapy.