Taurine

Word

Pronunciation: to-"rEn
Function: noun
Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary, from Latin taurus; from its having been discovered in ox bile.

Chemistry

A colorless crystalline cysteine derivative C₂H₇NO₃S of neutral reaction, formed by the hydrolysis of taurocholic acid. Found in the juices and fluids of muscle and lungs, nerve tissue, and bile of many animals.

Taurine, also known as 2-aminoethanesulfonic acid, is a biologically important chemical compound. Its empirical formula is C₂H₇NO₃S. It is not an essential nutrient in humans: It can be synthesized internally from cysteine and pyridoxine. Dogs can also synthesize the compound, but cats cannot.

There is a widespread misconception that taurine is an amino acid. Although taurine contains an amino group, it lacks the requisite carboxyl group.

Uses Of Taurine

1. Taurine has two major roles in human metabolism:
   1. There is some evidence it is an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system
   2. It plays a role in digestion (see bile).

It has been linked to a number of other metabolic functions but its role is not clear.

It has been tested medically in the treatment of congestive heart failure, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, epilepsy and several other conditions, but without much success. Some who question the safety of monosodium glutamate recommend taurine as a kind of antidote.[1]

Taurine is one of the ingredients commonly found in energy drinks such as Red Bull, and in pills which often feature caffeine and/or other stimulant ingredients.