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Douglas Labs

Taurine
by Douglas Labs
100 Vegetarian Capsules

A Conditionally Essential, Sulfur-Containing Amino Acid*

Our Price: $12.10

Taurine capsules, provided by Douglas Laboratories, each contain 500 mg of pure crystalline taurine. *

Taurine is one of the most abundant free amino acids in the body. It is not incorporated into proteins, yet taurine is very important in metabolism and is present in particularly high levels in the brain, skeletal muscle, heart, and retina of the eye.*

Taurine is regarded as a conditionally-essential amino acid, because it can be synthesized by the body from the other sulfur-containing amino acids cysteine and methionine. Taurine synthesis is vitamin B6 dependent. Taurine is essential for infants where it plays important roles in the development of the nervous system, retina, and muscle tissue.*

Taurine is well known for its role in bile salt synthesis, and has crucial functions in the liver’s detoxification pathways. Taurine also appears to have a stabilizing effect on cell membranes and isimportant in maintaining normal extra- and intra-cellular distribution of calcium. This in turn has implications for neuronal excitability and the regulation of osmotic pressure. In the retina, taurine helps maintain the structure and function of the visual cells.*

In the diet, taurine is found in meat and fish, but not in plant foods. Strict vegetarians, especially those with low cysteine levels, may find it beneficial to supplement their diets with added taurine.*

Supplement Facts Serving Size: One (1) Vegetarian Capsule Servings Per Container: 100

	Amount Per Serving	Daily Value
Taurine	500 mg	**

** Daily Value Not Established. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Other Ingredients

Cellulose, Silica, Stearates (Vegetable Source)

Suggested Use

As a dietary supplement, one to three (1 - 3) capsules daily or more as directed by a physician. Best taken in conjunction with vitamins and minerals.

Warnings

No adverse effects have been reported. ... Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct light. ... Keep out of reach of children. ... Tamper resistant package, do not use if outer seal is missing.

Applicable Functions

Amino acid deficiency, Cardiovascular Health, Liver Toxicity

Related Structure Groups

Amino Acids, Bile, Cardiovascular, Liver

References

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Azuma J, Sawamura A, Awata N. Usefulness of taurine in chronic congestive heart failure and its prospective application. Jpn Circ J 1992;56:95-99.< > Azuma J, Sawamura A, Awata N, et al. Therapeutic effect of taurine in congestive heart failure: a double-blind crossover trial. Clin Cardiol 1985;8:276-282.

Canas PE. The role of taurine and its derivatives on cellular hypoxia: a physiological view. Acta Physiol Pharmacol Ther Latinoam 1995;42:133-137.

Chesney RW. Taurine: its biological role and clinical implications. Adv Pediatr 1995;32:1-42.

Franconi F, Bennardini F, Mattana A, et al. Plasma and platelet taurine are reduced in subjects with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus: Effects of taurine supplementation. Am J Clin Nutr 1995;61:1115-1119.

Hardison WG. Hepatic taurine concentration and dietary taurine as regulators of bile acid conjugation with taurine. Gastroenterology 1978;75:71-75.

Hayes KC, Pronczuk A, Addesa AE, Stephan ZF. Taurine modulates platelet aggregation in cats and humans. Am J Clin Nutr 1989;49:1211-1216.

Imaki H, Jacobson SG, Kemp CM, Knighton RW, Neuringer M, Sturman J. Retinal morphology and visual pigment levels in 6- and 12-month-old rhesus monkeys fed a taurine-free human infant formula. J Neurosci Res 1993;36:290-304.

Kendler BS. Taurine: an overview of its role in preventive medicine. Prev Med 1989;18:79-100.

Laidlaw SA, Grosvenor M, Kopple JD. The taurine content of common foodstuffs [published erratum appears in JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr 1990 Jul-Aug;14(4):380]. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr 1990;14:183-188.

Laidlaw SA, Shultz TD, Cecchino JT, Kopple JD. Plasma and urine taurine levels in vegans. Am J Clin Nutr 1988;47:660-663.

Lombardini JB. Taurine: retinal function. Brain Res Brain Res Rev 1991;16:151-169.

Martinez F, Castillo J, Leira R, Prieto JM, Lema M, Noya M. Taurine levels in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid in migraine patients. Headache 1993;33:324-327.

Maurizi CP. Could supplementary dietary tryptophan and taurine prevent epileptic seizures? Med Hypotheses 1985;18:411-415.

Namba K, Ejiri K, Kanemori H, Kudo T, Sekiba K. Effect of taurine concentration on platelet aggregation in gestosis patients with edema,proteinuria and hypertension. Acta Med Okayama 1992;46:241-247.

Paauw JD, Davis AT. Taurine supplementation at three different dosages and its effect on trauma patients. Am J Clin Nutr 1994;60:203-206.

Satoh H. Cardioprotective actions of taurine against intracellular and extracellular calcium-induced effects. Adv Exp Med Biol 1994;359:181- 196.

Schuller-Levis G, Quinn MR, Wright C, Park E. Taurine protects against oxidant-induced lung injury: Possible mechanism(s) of action. Adv Exp Med Biol 1994;359:31-40.

Timbrell JA, Seabra V, Waterfield CJ. The in vivo and in vitro protective properties of taurine. Gen Pharmacol 1995;26:453-462.