Taurine |
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Basic Information
Taurine is an amino acid.
Available from natural sources? Yes
Available from synthetic sources? Yes
Prescription required? No
NATURAL SOURCES
Eggs
Fish
Meat
Milk
NOTE: Not available from plant sources.
REASONS TO USE
May be helpful in treating epilepsy.
Functions as building block for all proteins.
Helps regulate nervous system.
Helps regulate muscle system.
UNPROVED SPECULATED BENEFITS
May be essential for growth of infants, children, adolescents.
WHO NEEDS ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS?
Single amino-acid deficiencies are unknown except in people on
crash diets consisting of only one or a few foods.
Amino-acid deficiencies appear more commonly as a result of
total protein deficiency, which is rare in the United States and
Canada.
Anyone with inadequate caloric or nutritional dietary intake
or increased nutritional requirements.
Those with inadequate protein dietary intake.
Children, pregnant or breast-feeding women who are vegan
vegetarians.
People with recent severe burns or injuries.
Premature infants.
DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS
In moderate deficiencies:
Slowed growth in children
Low levels of essential proteins in blood
In severe deficiencies:
Apathy
Depigmentation of hair
Edema
Lethargy
Liver damage
Loss of muscle and fat
Skin lesions
Weakness
UNPROVED SPECULATED SYMPTOMS
Vision problems
LAB TESTS TO DETECT DEFICIENCY
None available, except for experimental purposes.
DOSAGE AND USAGE INFORMATION
Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA):
No RDA has been established.
What this amino acid does:
Provides part of all proteins.
Miscellaneous information:
Taurine is synthesized from methionine and cystine.
Supplements are not needed by healthy people who eat
well-balanced diets.
Poorly nourished people have a greater chance of adverse side
effects from taking amino-acid supplements, including an amino-
acid imbalance.
The poorer the diet, the greater the chance of an amino-acid
supplement creating a harmful combination.
Available as:
Tablets: Swallow whole with full glass of liquid. Don't chew
or crush. Take with meals or 1 to 1-1/2 hours after meals unless
otherwise directed by your doctor.
Capsules: Swallow whole with full glass of liquid. Don't chew
or crush. Take with meals or 1 to 1-1/2 hours after meals unless
otherwise directed by your doctor.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Don't take if you:
Are allergic to any food protein such as eggs, milk, wheat.
Are at risk of poor nutrition for any reason.
Consult your doctor if you have:
Epilepsy.
Eye problems.
Self-prescribed taurine without medical supervision.
Over age 55:
Don't take amino-acid supplements if you are healthy.
Pregnancy:
Don't take amino-acid supplements if you are healthy.
Breast-feeding:
Don't take amino-acid supplements if you are healthy.
Effect on lab tests:
None known.
Storage:
Store in cool, dry place away from direct light, but don't
freeze.
Store safely out of reach of children.
Don't store in bathroom medicine cabinet. Heat and moisture
may change action of amino acid.
OVERDOSE/TOXICITY
Signs and symptoms:
Unlikely to threaten life or cause significant symptoms.
What to do:
For symptoms of overdosage: Discontinue amino acid, and
consult doctor. Also see ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS
section below.
For accidental overdosage (such as child taking entire
bottle): Dial 911 (emergency), 0 for operator or your nearest
Poison Control Center.
ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS
| Reaction or effect |
What to do |
| Memory deficits |
Discontinue. Call doctor when |
|
convenient. |
| May depress normal function of |
Discontinue. Call doctor |
| central nervous system |
immediately. |
INTERACTION WITH MEDICINE, VITAMINS OR MINERALS
| Interacts with |
Combined effect |
| Anti-convulsants |
May decrease frequency of |
|
seizures. |
INTERACTION WITH OTHER SUBSTANCES
None known
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