Let’s Talk Taurine

What is Taurine?

Taurine is an essential amino acid found abundantly in the body. It serves important functions, particularly concentrated in your brain, heart, muscles, and eyes.  It is critical for peak functioning of the mitochondria, which are the “power plants” that supply cells with energy. The body will produce taurine from amino acids, methionine, and cysteine and from vitamin B6, under healthy conditions.

Taurine can be found in shellfish, as well as muscle and organ meats (especially heart and liver), however, you should know that cooking can deplete taurine levels by almost 2/3.  You can also find taurine in some forms of dairy; did you know that fermented goat’s milk has 20 times more taurine than cow’s milk!!

So, what are the benefits of Taurine in the body?

• Maintains proper hydration and electrolyte balance in your cells
• Forms bile salts, which play an important role in digestion
• Supports the general function of your central nervous system
• Taurine may also improve blood sugar control and potentially combat diabetes
• May improve insulin sensitivity
• Provides benefits for athletic performance by reducing fatigue, increasing fat burning and decreasing muscle damage
• Has been noted to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease
• May be an effective treatment for fatty liver disease
• Taurine may have the ability at the appropriate dose to alleviate seizures
• Supports the potential reversal of tinnitus
• Stimulates the production of new brain cells
• Protects against excitotoxicity (overactivity) in the brain
• Preserves normal cellular function and energy supply by regulating calcium and protecting cell membranes
• It has also been noted that taurine may help protect the aging brain against cognitive impairment, dementia, damage from strokes and neurotoxins
• Taurine plays an integral part in the liver’s self-protective mechanisms
• Studies have shown that taurine will defend liver cells against free radicals and toxins, helping to reduce the severity of oxidative liver stress

Longest life expectancy in the world…….

The individuals that have the highest life expectancy in the world are the Japanese located in Okinawa, otherwise known as “Island of Longevity”, which has the world’s highest percentage of people over 100 years old.  Of course, there are multiple factors as to why this group has the life span of the longest-living population.  Evidence has shown that the one thing they all have in common is their high dietary intake of taurine.  One study showed taurine to reduce mortality by nearly 80%; when administered in animal research, which protected against heart failure.

Healthy bodies have an abundance of taurine; however, vegetarian or vegan diets have been noted to lack adequate amounts.  Dis-ease states – including kidney, heart or liver failure, cancer, obesity, and diabetes just to name a few – can all cause a deficiency of taurine in the body. Not only that, as we age, we can no longer produce an optimal amount of taurine internally, so we need to consider food and supplement sources.  Taurine is included in all of our Vykon Custom Powders for maximum support.

References: “Jong CJ, Azuma J, Schaffer S. Mechanism underlying the antioxidant activity of taurine: prevention of mitochondrial oxidant production. Amino Acids. 2012 Jun; 42(6):2223-32.  Life Extension/taurine-protects-against-aging-brains.  Sun N, Youle RJ, Finkel T. The Mitochondrial Basis of Aging. Mol Cell. 2016 Mar 3;61(5):654-66.  Examine.com/supplements/taurine.”