10 Taurine may provide us with insight into some of these differences (Table 1). Risk factors and naturopathic preventive strategies therefore differ for women. Many health issues affect only women, and some are more prevalent in women. However, health conditions may affect men and women differently. Taurine is clearly implicated in many aspects of general health. Clinically, taurine has been used in a wide variety of conditions, including: cardiovascular diseases, hypercholesterolemia, epilepsy and other seizure disorders, macular degeneration, Alzheimer’s disease, hepatic disorders, alcoholism, and cystic fibrosis. 5 Metabolically, taurine is involved in: bile acid conjugation, detoxification, membrane stabilization, osmoregulation, and modulation of calcium levels. Its benefits are so broad and extensive that scientists have described taurine as “a wonder molecule.” 9 Taurine is essential in early human development, and low levels of taurine are associated with cardiomyopathy, retinal degeneration, and growth retardation. Unlike most amino acids, taurine is not a structural component of any proteins. 1 Taurine is a major component of healthy bodies, with a 70-kg human containing as much as 70 grams of taurine. As one of the most abundant free amino acids in many tissues, including skeletal and brain, it comprises over 50% of the total free amino acid pool of the heart. It can be synthesized in humans from the amino acids, cysteine and methionine. 8aurine is often referred to as a non-essential amino acid (technically an amino sulfonic acid: 2-aminoethane sulphonic acid). 5-7 As we age, our bodies typically fail to produce optimal amounts of taurine. 3,4 Under stress, the taurine synthesis capacity may be impaired, and hence disease states – including liver, kidney, or heart failure diabetes and cancer – can all cause a deficiency in taurine. However, certain diets, particularly vegetarian and vegan diets, lack adequate amounts of taurine.

Taurine is often referred to as a non-essential amino acid (technically an amino sulfonic acid: 2-aminoethane sulphonic acid).

Excess taurine side effects