What are the effects of taurine?

We often see an ingredient in the ingredient list of sports drinks: taurine. Taurine was first isolated from bezoar, also known as taurine β- Aminoethanesulfonic acid, taurocholine and bovine bile element are sulfur-containing non protein amino acids. They exist in a free state in the body and do not participate in protein biosynthesis in the body.

Taurine is not involved in protein synthesis, but it is associated with glycine and γ Aminobutyric acid produces chemical reactions and acts as a transmitter of nerve inhibitors in tissue and blood. There are generally two sources of taurine in the human body:

1. Self synthesis, the other is taken from the diet. Adults generally do not need to increase the content of taurine in their diet. As long as the liver function is normal, they can synthesize it by themselves.

2. Food supply: infants, especially premature infants, have no function of synthesizing taurine due to the immature development of enzyme synthesis system. The taurine needed by the body must rely on food supply.

What are the physiological functions of taurine?

1. Taurine can enhance myocardial contraction

Taurine can inhibit platelet aggregation, enhance myocardial contractility and reduce blood pressure in blood circulation. Taurine is also used to treat heart disease and is of great help to patients with congestive heart failure. Moreover, it is also regarded as a good drug for regulating cardiovascular diseases in clinic.

2. Taurine can promote the brain development of infants

Taurine is abundant in the brain. Taurine can significantly promote the growth and development of the nervous system and cell proliferation. If the newborn is not supplemented enough, it will lead to the slow growth and development of young children. Taurine is abundant in breast milk, especially colostrum. Taurine is also contained in infant formula. Taurine is closely related to the development of central nervous system and retina of fetus and young children.

3. Taurine can resist anxiety and promote learning ability

Taurine is a regulator of the human nervous system. Taurine is very helpful for patients with bipolar disorder. Taurine can also promote learning and memory ability, improve the accuracy of learning and memory, and prevent the aging of the nervous system.

4. Taurine can improve visual function

The reason why cats and owls can prey at night has a great relationship with their eyesight. The main taurine of cats and owls comes from mice. Mice are rich in taurine. Taurine can help maintain the normal visual function, protect eyesight, improve vision and maintain the normal function of eye cell membrane.

5. Taurine can promote fat metabolism

Taurine combines with bile acids to form taurocholic acid. Taurocholic acid can increase the solubility of lipids and cholesterol in the digestive tract, help promote fat metabolism and absorption, relieve bile obstruction, reduce the cytotoxicity of some free bile acids, inhibit the formation of cholesterol stones, and increase bile flow.

6. Taurine can promote the reduction of blood sugar

Taurine can combine with insulin receptor, promote cell uptake and utilization of glucose, accelerate glycolysis and reduce blood glucose concentration. Taurine has a certain hypoglycemic effect, and does not depend on increasing the release of insulin.

7. Taurine can inhibit the occurrence of cataract

Taurine plays an important role in regulating crystal osmolality and antioxidation. In the process of cataract occurrence and development, the content of sorbic acid in the lens increases and the crystal osmolality increases. As an important substance for regulating osmolality, the concentration of taurine decreases significantly, the antioxidant effect decreases, and the protein in the crystal is over oxidized, which causes or aggravates the occurrence of cataract. Taurine supplementation can inhibit the occurrence and development of cataract.

8. Taurine can produce energy and eliminate fatigue

Taurine can protect myocardium, maintain cardiac function and make blood circulation normal, so as to eliminate fatigue products and make the body produce energy effectively. Therefore, it is often added to sports drinks and energy drinks.