Taurine (chemical formula 2-aminoethanesulfonic acid) is a sulphur-containing amino acid which the body can produce from the amino acids cysteine and methionine . Generally a person’s body produces all the taurine it needs, and therefore this substance is classified as a non-essential amino acid. Taurine is named after the Latin ”Taurus” which means bull or ox, as it was first isolated from ox bile in 1827 by German scientists Leopold Gmelin and Friedrich Tiedemann. This amino acid is found in high amounts in the human brain, retina, central nervous system, skeletal muscles, heart and platelets. Deficiencies in vitamin A, vitamin B6, zinc, and the amino acids cysteine and methionine can cause your body to not be able to make enough taurine.

Taurine Benefits

Taurine is necessary for the healthy physiological functions of the heart, brain and the retina in the eye. Has been used clinically in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, liver diseases, cystic fibrosis, seizure disorders, ocular disorders, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease and alcoholism.

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)

Taurine comprises over 50 % of the total free amino acid pool of the heart. It has a positive inotropic action on cardiac tissue, and has been proved in some trials to lower blood pressure. Congestive heart failure, a condition in which the heart has trouble pumping blood, which leads to fluid accumulating in the legs and lungs. Taking taurine seems to improve heart function and symptoms in people with moderate heart failure (New York Heart Association functional class II) to severe heart failure (New York Heart Association functional class IV).Some patients with serious heart failure rapidly improve from New York Heart Association (NYHA) class IV to II after 4 to 8 weeks of therapy. In a 1984 animal-based study, taurine protected against heart failure, reducing mortality by 80 % in the taurine-treated group with no diminishment of cardiac function. In one double-blind, placebo-controlled trial , 58 patient with congestive heart failure took either placebo or 2 g of taurine 3 times daily for four weeks. During taurine therapy, the study participants showed important improvement in breathlessness, heart palpitations, fluid buildup, and heart x-ray, as well as standard scales of heart failure severity. Taurine  in preventing  arrhythmia is well documented  and it is thought it may act by modulating potassium flux in and out of cardiac muscle cells. In Japan, this amino acid is used to treat ischemic heart disease, which can lead to strokes, and heart arrhythmia in patients with congestive heart failure.

Retinal Degeneration

High concentrations of taurine are found in the eyes and in especially, the retina. Deficiencies of amino acid taurine are known to cause retinal lesions and visual deterioration, which can be reversed with dietary taurine. According to taurine in Health and Disease, taurine has antioxidant effects in preventing macular degeneration and other eye illness.

Hepatitis

Hepatitis is one of the most common liver diseases which causes degenerative effects on the liver. Taurine might help treat acute viral hepatitis, according to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. In double-blind, placebo-controlled trial 63 people with hepatitis were given either 12 g of taurine daily or placebo. According to blood tests, the taurine group experienced important improvements in liver function as compared to the placebo group.

Diabetes

Diabetes is a common metabolic disease that, is usually associated with heart, kidney, eye and nerve complications. Human and animal-based studies indicate that taurine supplementation is helpful in reduce some of the complications of insulin-dependant diabetes. Plasma and platelet taurine levels have been found to be depressed in insulin-dependent diabetic patients, but, these levels were raised to normal with oral taurine.

Insulin, a hormone secreted by the pancreas, then acts on muscles and the liver to clear glucose from the blood. In the diabetic, there may be or an insufficient production of insulin, the production of an incomplete hormone, or a decrease in the number and affinity of insulin receptors. This amino acid improves insulin sensitivity due to its lipid lowering effect. Taurine helps manage blood sugar and insulin levels and may improve the function of beta cells, the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. Taurine was shown to be beneficial in preserving stem cells that lead to promotion of pancreatic hormone production in a cold-storage method referred to as “cryopreservation”. Researchersin Pune, India, at the Stem Cells and Diabetes Section used taurine as part of the preservation of mononuclear cells that activate the genes that code for the pancreatic function.

Alcoholism

Both taurine and  a synthetic taurine analog (acamprosate) have been shown to be clinically beneficial in treating  people with alcohol dependence. Twenty-two people undergoing treatment for alcohol withdrawal were given 1 gram of taurine three times per day orally for 7days. When compared to retrospective controls, important fewer of the taurine-treated patients had psychotic episodes.

Cystic Fibrosis

Clinical trials using 30 mg/kg taurine daily for 4 months resulted in a significant decrease in fecal fatty acids. Cystic fibrosis is generally characterized by nutrient malabsorption in the ileum, impaired bile acid conjugation, and steatorrhea. Patients with cystic fibrosis are less able to absorb fat due to their pancreas issues, and this results in a fatty diarrhea called  steatorrhea. During  study reported in the June 1985 edition of Pediatric Research, 22 children with cystic fibrosis taking 30 mg of taurine per kg of body weight per day were able to decrease their steatorrhea by an average of 17.6%.

Epileptic Seizures

A seizure is characterized by anomalous uncontrolled electrical signals sent by nerve cells in the brain. Taurine acts like the neurotransmitter GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), which reduces activity in the brain. In a 2008 study reported in the “Journal of Neuroscience,” found that taurine is  a powerful activator of gamma-aminobutyric acid receptors in the thalamus, which are the areas that the neurotransmitter binds to. Taurine has been administered intravenously or orally at a wide range of doses  for varying periods of time to patients with severe, intractable epilepsy. In some studies, a significant reduction in seizure frequency was observed, whereas no  positive effect was seen in others. In one study a daily oral dose of 0.05-0.3 g/kg and 750 mg in other study both demonstrated remarkable efficacy in cases of intractable epilepsy, decreasing seizures by more than 30% in 11 of 34 patients. According to report, taurine was effective against partial epilepsy but had small effect on generalized epilepsy.

Natural Taurine Sources

Food sources of taurine include, shellfish, fish, meat, dairy products, poultry and eggs; as well as dietary supplement form.

Taurine Dosage

Taurine is generally administered orally, with the adult dosage being 500 mg to 3g daily in divided doses. In studies of taurine for treating congestive heart failure, doses of 2 g to 6 g daily were used. These doses were split up into 2 or 3 smaller doses per day. For treating hepatitis, a dosage of 4 g three times daily for 6 weeks has been used in a clinical study.

Cysteine (chemical formula C3H7NO2S), an amino acid that can be synthesized by the body or consumed in some nutrients is one. This amino acid plays an important role in maintaining protein structure. Cysteine is a sulfur amino acid and contains a sulfhydryl group. In the body, cysteine is synthesized from the aminoacid methionine. Cysteine is found in proteins along your body and plays a role in stabilizing proteins. Serves as a precursor for synthesis of proteins, taurine, glutathione, coenzyme A and inorganic sulfate.

Benefits

High molybdenum and cobalt levels have been shown to alleviate the symptoms of excessive levels of these metals and may  be beneficial in other cases of heavy metal toxicity. According to research reported in the Journal of Nutrition in June 1987, sulfur-containing cysteine plays an significant role in neutralizing toxic trace minerals that are ingested.

The body uses cysteine to produce the antioxidant glutathione, as well as the aminoacid taurine. Cysteine along with 2 another amino acids form the antioxidant tripeptide glutathione. Glutathione is a molecule your body produces naturally by combining the 3 aminoacids cysteine, glycine and glutamine. Glutathione is a molecule that helps remove free radicals from your body. Is a important factor in detoxification and antioxidant mechanisms of your body. Many diseases are related to the deficiency of glutathione. Cancer, inflammation, AIDS, sickle cell anemia, heart attack, stroke,liver disease, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease correlate to glutathione deficiency.

N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) is a derivative of cysteine that can be taken in supplement form. NAC is then converted by the body into cysteine, which can then be transformed into another molecule, named glutathione. N-Acetylcysteine has been used successfully to treat glutathione deficiency in a wide range of infections, genetic defects and metabolic disorders, including HIV infection and COPD. According to a study reported in the June 2006 edition of the International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, a 600 mg daily dose of NAC can be effective in the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Cysteine supports liver health and it helps to detoxify your body by binding to and eliminating harmful substances suchlike as those found in alcohol, drugs and other toxic compounds. Intravenous cysteine, (in the form of N-Acetylcysteine), decreases liver damage due to acetaminophen overdose in more than 99 percent of patients when administered in the first 12 hours, in a study reported in Hepatology, in April 2002.

Cysteine is a natural precursor to taurine, which is significant to build lean muscle mass. Therefore body builders often supplement cysteine to increase muscle growth and size. Cysteine, may be given intravenously to promote the production of proteins. This operation may help reduce the rate of protein breakdown and promote wound healing.

L-Cysteine In Food

Food sources include ricotta and cottage cheese, egg yolks, yogurt, meats including pork, poultry,  wheat germ, granola, oats, garlic and onions. The daily diet contributes approximately 1 gram of cysteine. Dietary deficiencies of other nutrients, such as methionine, vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine), vitamin B12, S-adenosyl-L-methioninee (SAMe), and folic acid may decrease body’s production of cysteine.

Dosage

The common dose of L-cysteine supplements is between 250 and 1,500 mg daily. L-cysteine supplementation may be most useful when used in conjunction with vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin E and  and selenium. Avoid some forms of cysteine, as they are toxic; D-cystine, D-cysteine, and 5-methyl cysteine.

Side Effects

Some of the possible side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal problems. High doses of cysteine may be toxic to human cells and may furthermore lead to death. Individuals with kidney stones particularly cystine stones, should avoid l-cysteine supplements. L-cysteine, could produce a false-positive result in the nitroprusside test for ketone bodies used in diabetes. Due to lack of long-term safety studies, supplementation should be avoided in nursing or pregnant women. Do not take l-cysteine supplements without consulting your doctor.

Glycine is a nonessential amino acid used by the body to build proteins. Was first discovered in 1820.  Body is able to make glycine using another amino acid, serine. It is required for the construction of  healthy RNA and DNA  strands, which are the genetic building blocks that are important for the proper function of your body’s cells. The glycine is used by the nervous system and its function as an inhibitory neurotransmitter makes it significant to help prevent epileptic seizures and it is also used in the therapy of hyperactivity and manic depression.

Glycine Benefits

Glycine it has many important effects on your body and is involved in a variety of biochemical reactions. Also functions as a neurotransmitter and as a precursor to metabolic intermediates as purines, which are ingredients of DNA. Glycine a acts as an inhibitory neurotransmitter to the brain, which results in a feeling of calmness. In addition stimulates the production of glucagon, which causes the body to produce and release glucose into the blood stream.

Glycine functions as an inhibitory neurotransmitter and therefore works positive in treating problems such as bipolar depression, epilepsy and hyperactivity. In a study injections containing glycine were administered to the gray matter of the brain in animal subjects. The findings showed reduced anxiety levels.

Experiment reported in 1996 in the British Journal of Psychiatry found that glycine helped to achieve a meaningful reduction in unfavorable, depressive and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia. Glycine might enhance the effect of drugs used for schizophrenia, particularly those in the “phenothiazine” category. But, it may not be effect for people using “clozapine“.

Animal-based studies suggest that dietary glycine may protect against chemically induced damage to the kidneys or liver. A rodent study published in the January 2004 edition of Die Pharmazie examined the effects of glycine to alcohol fed rats. The researchers concluded that glycine has a possible in liver and brain protection against alcohol-induced damage.

Digestive system relies on glycine in order to function healthy. Glycine is a common factor in antacids because of its capability to balance the acid-base ratio in your digestive tract, according to a 2006 study reported in the Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Glycine also may play a role in maintaining the health of the prostate. Experiments on glycine for prostatitis have shown that when taken in combination with glutamic acid and alanine, glycine helps in treating swollen prostate tissue.

Glycine Best Source

High-protein foods, such as meat, fish, eggs, milk, cheese and beans are the best dietary sources of glycine. Also be ingested as a nutritional supplement.

Glycine Dosage

Dosages of oral glycine used in clinical studies for therapeutic purposes range from 2 g to 60 g daily. Taking glycine along with clozapine might reduce the effectiveness of clozapine. Dosages for this condition are very large 30 to 90 g daily. Remember to talk with your doctor before starting a new supplement.

Side Effects

The side effects which are  reported after intake of glycine supplements include nausea, vomiting and mild digestive problems.