Description
Taurine is an amino acid derived from another amino acid, cysteine. The body synthesizes taurine internally
but it is unknown whether this internal production is sufficient to meet the full need for taurine. Certain
circumstances may increase the body’s demand for taurine, such as intense exercise and stress, and taurine
synthesis also declines during the natural aging process. Additionally, taurine is virtually absent from plant
foods, so vegetarians and strict vegans may benefit from supplementing with taurine. Rich sources of
taurine include beef, pork, shellfish, and dark meat poultry, with small amounts occurring in dairy foods.
Taurine is involved in many physiological processes in the body
and is vital for the healthy functioning of organs with high
energy demands such as the brain, heart, liver and kidneys.
It helps regulate the balance of sodium and potassium inside
and outside cells, which is critical for maintaining proper fluid
balance and alleviating occasional bloating and water retention,
such as during the menstrual cycle or that induced by extended
air travel. Taurine is a critical factor in the liver’s detoxification
processes and it is also needed for synthesis of bile, a compound
that plays a role in the proper digestion of fats and therefore,
absorption of fat-soluble nutrients.*
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.