Originally published December 23 2008
Taurine has Many Important Benefits for the Body
by Jo Hartley
(NaturalNews) Taurine, while not an actual part of the human body's structural proteins, is one of the highest numbering amino-acids. Taurine is found in the heart, the skeletal muscles, white blood cells, and the nervous system. When the body engages in extreme physical activity, it no longer will be able to produce the necessary amounts of Taurine. This may lead to a Taurine deficiency under certain conditions.
In adults, Taurine can be manufactured from methionine in the body and from cysteine in the liver; however, vitamin B6 must be present to enable this. Children cannot manufacture Taurine.
Taurine is a metabolic transmitter and is also beneficial for its detoxifying abilities in the body.
Taurine also is important for brain function. There is even research that points to Taurine being effective for helping people who suffer from bipolar disorder. Taurine is also effective for improving anxiety, hyperactivity, poor brain function and epilepsy. Taurine, along with zinc, is necessary for good eye health and good vision.
In Japan, Taurine is utilized in the treatment of ischemic heart disease and also some kinds of heart arrhythmias. Taurine therapy has also been used effectively to treat people who suffer from congestive heart failure and also may help improve both hypertension and high cholesterol.
Taurine has also been shown to be a strong antioxidant and has dramatically improved type 1 diabetes in laboratory rats. Taurine is able to combat the damage that oxygen free radicals have upon the pancreas. Taurine is also able to improve insulin resistance by increasing the excretion of cholesterol by conversion to bile acid.
To counteract the horrible destruction that type 1 diabetes can have upon the body, the recommended dosage of Taurine is 500 mg one to three times per day.
Incredibly, there have been studies that have revealed that even infants can have a Taurine deficiency that may result in reduced bile acid secretion, reduced fat absorption, and reduced function of the liver. All of these situations can be improved by supplementing with Taurine. Taurine has now been added to most infant formulas.
Children with Down's syndrome may also benefit from Taurine.
When given to acute hepatitis patients, Taurine decreased bilirubin and total bile acid levels.
Even people with alcohol dependency can benefit from Taurine. When going through alcohol withdrawal, taking 1 gram of Taurine 3 times per day for one week can significantly improve the incidence of psychotic episodes that one may experience.
In addition, in a study that involved over 3,000 people with alcohol dependence, those who were given Taurine had fewer alcohol relapses than those who received placebos.
Taurine has demonstrated itself to be a safe and beneficial supplement and is mostly found in meat and fish. Vegans may consider supplementing, but unless there are health issues that necessitate high levels of Taurine, the adult body should manufacture sufficient amounts (as long as vitamin B6 is present).
Source: http://healingdaily.com/detoxification-diet/...
http://www.anyvitamins.com/taurine-info.htm
About the author
Jo Hartley
Wife, Mother of 8, and Grandmother of 2
Jo is a 41 year old home educator who has always gravitated toward a natural approach to life. She enjoys learning as much as possible about just about anything!
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