Taurine supplementation

Oral administration of taurine supplements significantly improves blood levels, and special formulations are not required.

Intake and deficiencies

Taurine has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action, and its deficiency can lead to diminished antioxidant response. (Zhang, Izumi et al. 2004; Schaffer, Azuma et al. 2009; Huang, Chuang et al. 2009; Green, Fellman et al. 2009; al. 1991; Gurer, Ozgunes et al. 2001; Das, Ghosh et al. 2008; Sinha, Manna et al. 2008; Grimble 2006).

Low taurine levels are common in elderly people, mainly when they suffer from chronic diseases.

Intake. Taurine is one of the few sulfonic acids found in nature, and therefore it can be supplied by foods: fish (such as cod), shellfish, and meats. Average daily intake in an omnivorous diet was determined to be around 58 mg/day (9–372 mg/day) (Rana and Sanders 1986). In another study, taurine intake was estimated to be generally under 200 mg/day, even in individuals with a meat-rich diet (Laidlaw, Grosvenor et al. 1990). Significantly lower taurine levels have been found in strict vegetarians (vegans) compared to a control group eating a Western diet. Taurine levels were 78% of those of the control group, and in the case of taurine excreted in urine, this was 29% (Laidlaw, Shultz et al. 1988).

Endogenous synthesis. Taurine is synthesized endogenously, mainly in the liver, from cysteine. Average daily synthesis in adults ranges from 0.4–1.0 mmol (50–125 mg) (Jacobsen and Smith 1968), although this capacity can be affected under stressful conditions; as a result, some authors consider taurine a “conditionally” essential amino acid, while others consider it non-essential (Jacobsen and Smith 1968; Stapleton, Charles et al. 1997). The synthesis capacity declines with age, stress, chronic illness, and liver disease. Taurine does not bind to proteins.

Taurine is most commonly obtained through foods rich in cysteine, its precursor. Cysteine is synthesized from methionine, and its synthesis is very limited in liver disease. Likewise, preterm infants have a deficiency (called homocysteinemia) in the production of the enzyme necessary for converting cystathionine to cysteine, and they tend to have taurine deficiency as a result. For this reason, as a precautionary measure, taurine has been added to many baby formulas since the 1980s, although its efficacy has never been rigorously proven (Heird 2004).

Deficiencies. The people with the highest risk of taurine deficiency are elderly people who have chronic diseases and who eat little meat and fish.

Bibliography

• Manna, P., M. Sinha, et al. (2009). “Taurine plays a beneficial role against cadmium-induced oxidative renal dysfunction.” Amino Acids 36(3): 417-428
• Sun Q, Wang B, Li Y, Sun F, Li P, Xia W, Zhou X, Li Q, Wang X, Chen J, Zeng X, Zhao Z, He H, Liu D, Zhu Z. Taurine Supplementation Lowers Blood Pressure and Improves Vascular Function in Prehypertension: Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study. Hypertension. 2016 Mar;67(3):541-9.
• Heird WC. Taurine in neonatal nutrition–revisited. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed. 2004;89(6):F473–F474. doi:10.1136/adc.2004.055095
• Freier S. [Is taurine essential in infant nutrition]. Harefuah. 1991Oct;121(7-8):263-6. Review. Hebrew. PubMed PMID: 1783319. Stapleton PP, Charles RP, Redmond HP, Bouchier-Hayes DJ. Taurine and human nutrition. Clin Nutr. 1997 Jun;16(3):103-8. PubMed PMID: 16844580.

Reference values

There are no established reference intake values or upper levels for taurine.

Foods with Taurine

Taurine is found mainly in shellfish, meat, and fish; dairy products contain it in small amounts; and eggs and vegetables have practically none.

Cysteine is synthesized from methionine, and synthesis is very limited in people with liver disorders.