Taurine is unpopular but yet one of the most abundant amino acids in the body. It is chiefly found in the central nervous system, muscles, retina, adrenal glands and it is very concentrated in the brain. 1

Children appear to be more dependent on dietary taurine than adults. 5 Taurine is essential in newborns because they are not able to synthesize it. Healthy adults make their own taurine from other amino acids, by converting methionine in the body and cysteine in the liver, with the help from Vitamin B 6. However, taurine is considered to be a “conditionally essential” amino acid in nutrition meaning that deficiency result in a clinical consequences which can be reversed by supplementation. 1 When under special condition, the body may not able to produce enough taurine for the demand. Injury, stress, diseases and even exercise deplete taurine and the body may not able to maintain the level in short time.

Taurine Essential for…

Nervous System. Research indicates that taurine plays an important role in the development of nervous system. It is speculated that taurine concentration regulation, in conjunction with glutamate concentration regulation, calcium fluxes, taurine-zinc interaction may present a communication between neuron and glial cells. 3,6 Hence, t aurine can be considered as one of the determinant nutritional molecules during development and regeneration of the central nervous system. 3

Brain Development. Taurine is an important osmolyte, which play an important role in the cell volume regulatory process in the brain. 1 On top of that, higher concentration in the developing brain indicate that a vital function for taurine in brain development. Clinical research showed that taurine improves attention and memory. 4 Taurine is also an inhibitory neurotransmitter, and its main use has been to help to treat children with epilepsy 4, cystic fibrosis as well as auditory brainstem-evoked responses in preterm infants. 2

Retina. Taurine is present in high concentrations in the retina of all species. Taurine in the retina might function in the protection of the photoreceptor and regulating signal transduction. 7 It has been established that visual dysfunction in both human and animal subjects results from taurine deficiency. However, the deficiency is reversed with simple nutritional supplementation with taurine. 5

Absence from the diet of a conditionally essential nutrient does not produce immediate deficiency disease but in long term can cause problem. 2 However, taurine deficiency produces physical and functional modifications in the brain and in the retina. 3

Because taurine is a conditioning essential amino acid, therefore an RDA has not been established. Vegetables and grains do not contain taurine. Taurine is mostly found in meat and fish.

References:

Chesney, R.W., Helms, R.A., Christensen, M., Budreau, A.M, Han, X. &
Sturman, J.A. 1998. The role of taurine in infant nutrition. Adv Exp Med Biol 442: 463-76.