Taurine
Taurine (from taurus = ox, as it was discovered in ox bile) or 2-aminoethanesulfonic acid is an acidic chemical substance found in bile which acts as an emulsifier for ingested lipids and assists in their absorption.
Chemistry
Chemically it is a colorless crystalline substance with the empirical formula CHNOS, formed by the hydrolysis of taurocholic acid or decarboxylation of cysteine. Found in the bile, as well as juices and fluids of muscle, lungs and nerve tissue of many animals, it is one of the lesser-known amino acids, plays several important roles in the body and is essential to newborns of many species. Taurine, along with methionine, cystine and cysteine, is a sulfur-containing amino acid. The molecule is HN-CH-CH-SOH.
Physiology
Taurine has two major roles in human metabolism: It plays a role in digestion as part of chenodeoxychloic acid (see bile).It may assist in the formation of reactive oxygen species for the respiratory burst in neutrophil granulocytesThere is some evidence it is an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system It has been linked to a number of other metabolic functions but its role is not clear.
Uses
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] Sources of dietary taurine include shellfish and organ meats such as liver. Human milk contains taurine, but cows' milk does not. [1] Taurine is one of the active ingredients commonly found in energy drinks such as Red Bull, and in pills which often feature caffeine and/or other stimulant ingredients.
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