Taurine
Many people are familiar with 2-aminoethanesulfonic acid, also known as Taurine, through energy drinks. Taurine is an sulfonic acid, naturally occurring in the human body and present in the daily diet. Taurine is a major constituent of bile and can be found in the large intestine and in the tissues of humans and animals. Moreover it has many important biological roles such as the modulation of calcium signaling and the conjugation of bile acids. Taurine acts as an antioxidant and protects against toxicity of substances like lead and cadmium. In cells, taurine keeps potassium and magnesium inside the cell, while keeping excessive sodium out. In this sense, it works like a diuretic.
Many people are familiar with 2-aminoethanesulfonic acid, also known as Taurine, through energy drinks. Taurine is an sulfonic acid, naturally occurring in the human body and present in the daily diet. Taurine is a major constituent of bile and can be found in the large intestine and in the tissues of humans and animals. Moreover it has many important biological roles such as the modulation of calcium signaling and the conjugation of bile acids. Taurine acts as an antioxidant and protects against toxicity of substances like lead and cadmium. In cells, taurine keeps potassium and magnesium inside the cell, while keeping excessive sodium out. In this sense, it works like a diuretic.
Dietary taurine also has a blood cholesterol-lowering effect in young overweight adults. It occurs naturally in many foods, especially meat. Study have shown that frequent taurine intake is necessary for maintenance of skeletal muscle. Most people are only familiar with taurine through the 1000 mg per serving in their Red Bull or NOS. Many were up in arms when they found out about its presence in their drinks, mainly due it being first synthesized from ox bile. That was until it was shown to be naturally occuring. It was shown that there are no negative or positive health effects in the amount in the drinks. Taurine is my favorite molecule, due to its multiple uses and involvement in the body.
Sources: http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/rest/chemical/taurine#itabs-2d
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8196477
Sources: http://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/rest/chemical/taurine#itabs-2d
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8196477
Jared, this is a very informative post. Like you mentioned, I too only knew about this through energy drinks.I had to idea that it's necessary for the maintenance of skeletal muscles. One learns something new everyday!
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