The non-essential amino acid taurine has been called the most important amino acid that most people have never heard of. A non-essential amino acid is an amino acid that the human body can manufacture, usually from methionine and cysteine. Additionally, evidence suggests that certain supplements, like vitamins A and D, as well as B6 may increase the body’s ability to create the amino acid. However, it’s also possible to find taurine in supplement form or to get it from the diet. Some groups, such as vegetarians, may find it necessary to supplement because many of the sources of the amino acid come from eating meat.
It plays a key role in the prevention of many diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, and cancer, to name but a few. Given that it acts as an antioxidant and may reduce inflammation, it isn’t surprising that many people with chronic diseases also show lowered or depleted levels of the amino acid. It has been further shown to fight off numerous infections caused by bacteria, fungi, viruses, and molds. But it has the additional benefit of being a potent anti-parasitic as well, making it an all-around helpful nutrient in the body. Those suffering from chronic diseases may benefit from taurine supplements. Here’s the low-down on some of 10 of the most common benefits of having sufficient levels of taurine in the body.
1. Acts As An Antioxidant
This amino acid is a potent antioxidant, but how it acts as an antioxidant is markedly different than other types of antioxidants, like green tea. While other antioxidants may clean up the number of free radicals in the body, the benefit of this amino acid is that it prevents the body from creating free radicals in the cells.
If there are no free radicals in the cells, the body doesn’t have to fight off the effects of free radicals. Diseases or conditions resulting from free radical damage include cancer, as well as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease to name but a few. Free radicals are also responsible for the aging effects found in the body.
[nextpage title=“Next” ]2. May Reduce Inflammation
This amino acid may reduce inflammation, which is a leading cause of many diseases if left unchecked. Under normal circumstances, the body becomes inflamed when it has been injured. In this type of circumstance, it can be helpful for the body as it is a natural part of the healing process.
However, chronic inflammation is a state where the body remains inflamed, and it is not an inflammation that is caused by bodily injury. Instead, stress plays a key role in keeping the body in an inflamed state. Other factors like consuming too much saturated fat, as well as alcohol, tobacco, and drugs consumption can also trigger the body’s inflammation response. Taurine contains a number of antioxidants that may reduce inflammation.
[nextpage title=“Next” ]3. Fight Infections
Another benefit of this non-essential amino acid is that it fights infections by protecting cellular membranes, including the membranes of the white blood cells. This plays an important role in infection-fighting because white cells can be destroyed as they work to fight back germs, bacteria, and other harmful substances in the body.
Those who want to help their immune systems fight infections can eat a diet of foods that are rich in the nutrient. Some good choices include shellfish, tuna, sardines, and salmon. Other sources include beef, lamb, eggs, dark meat chicken, seaweed, sea algae, and brewer’s yeast. Those who are getting their taurine from animal products should consider eating the heart and liver parts of the animal as these contain the highest concentrations of taurine.
[nextpage title=“Next” ]4. Prevent Cancer
People who have different types of cancer, including colorectal cancer, have been shown to have significantly lower levels of the amino acid taurine. Additionally, people who have gone through surgery and chemotherapy for cancer are at risk of having lower levels of the amino as well. In light of this, people who suffer from cancers, like colorectal cancer, may benefit from taking taurine supplements.
It’s important to note here that chronic inflammation has been shown to increase the risk of cancer. As has already been mentioned, this amino acid may reduce inflammation, which in turn, may reduce the likelihood of cancer forming in the body.
[nextpage title=“Next” ]5. May Help Diabetes
Insulin resistance is a key component of diabetes, and it has been shown that people suffering from diabetes show lowered levels of the amino acid taurine compared to people who don’t suffer from diabetes. It may help diabetes by decreasing insulin resistance. Further, this amino acid can offset some of the other side effects of the disease such as kidney damage, neuropathy, and retinopathy.
There is some evidence that suggests taking taurine could even prevent diabetes because it can reduce elevated blood sugar levels and also fight off insulin resistance. It has also been shown that taking supplements of this amino acid can actually reverse diabetes symptoms.
[nextpage title=“Next” ]6. Heart Protection
People who have had a heart attack have been shown to have lower levels of taurine. Daily intake of this amino acid has been shown to offer heart protection for people who have heart conditions like heart attacks and congestive heart failure. It helps the cardiovascular system by assisting in the movement of nutrients like calcium, potassium, and magnesium in and out of the cells in the heart.
It offers additional heart protection by improving the heart’s blood flow and oxygen levels. It has also been shown to normalize an irregular heartbeat. Finally, people who have congestive heart failure show marked improvement in their capacity to exercise, thanks to taurine supplementation.
[nextpage title=“Next” ]7. Hyper Tension
Hyper tension is often present in people who suffer from heart attacks and heart disease. It has been suggested that supplementing with taurine – six grams daily – for a week lowers blood pressure in people who have blood pressure levels that are in danger of going from moderate to high. And as has already been suggested, it lowers inflammation, which also plays a key role in hyper tension.
The amino acid also has a demonstrated ability to reduce blood flow resistance in blood vessel walls. It additionally helps reduce the nerve impulses in the brain, which elevate blood pressure. Both of these elements, if left unchecked, lead to higher blood pressure levels.
[nextpage title=“Next” ]8. Cholesterol Control
Study control groups have shown to have improved cholesterol levels when they take taurine supplements. It provides cholesterol control by improving the functions of the gallbladder. It’s also a key component in the creation of bile salts. These elements help the body metabolize fat, helping the body break it down.
Additionally, animals who were fed a high-fat diet and who were given the amino acid show lower levels of liver and blood cholesterol levels. This has ramifications for people who indulge in high-fat diets. Increased levels of the amino acid could help them balance out blood fat levels that cause increased cholesterol levels in the body.
[nextpage title=“Next” ]9. Protects Liver
The amino acid protects liver function by helping fight off the effects of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. This disease occurs when the liver has to process too much fat, which in turn can be caused by metabolic syndrome or insulin resistance. People suffering from hepatitis were shown to have decreased markers of liver damage when they took two grams of taurine three times daily. The liver counts as the body’s main organ of detoxification.
Taurine acts as an antioxidant, which helps this key organ defend itself against the effects of toxins and free radicals. Toxins and free radicals can make liver stress worse when it’s fighting a condition like fatty liver disease. It also protects liver function by assisting in the creation of bile salts.
[nextpage title=“Next” ]10. Protects Kidney
Damage from free radicals can cause damage to the kidneys, which are susceptible to the oxidative damage that comes from having free radicals in the system. Damage to the kidneys can interrupt the blood supply to the kidneys. The amino acid also protects kidneys from the cellular stress caused by changes in the body’s cell levels.
Additionally, the amino acid has been shown to protect kidneys when there is too much salt in the diet. Too much salt forces the body to try to balance the salt levels in the blood. If left unchecked, the kidneys become damaged and will eventually malfunction. This, in turn, will cause the blood pressure to spike.
