taurine effects hematologic properties and diseases.

Subsequently, it was shown that cats and dogs with taurine deficiency developed cardiomyopathy. The focus of this review is to demonstrate the beneficial effects of taurine on CVD complications and factors that are associated with the risk of CAD (i.e., type-2 diabetes and obesity).Īlmost five decades ago, it was noted that a diet deficient of taurine led to the development of retinopathy in cats. Indeed, it has been documented that the weekly seafood consumption in Japan (up to 580 g/week) compared to the Western world (USA: as low as 63 g/week) might be associated with lower CVD and longer life expectancy compared to the Western world. The taurine content per 100 g in seaweed (>600 mg), oysters (396 mg), and fish (130 mg), compared to beef (43.1 mg), chicken (17.8 mg), pork (61.2 mg), and lamb (43.8 mg), clearly suggests that research on the biological effects of relatively high taurine is required to be investigated.

However, whether increasing the intake of seafood (relatively high in taurine concentration) to reduce the development of CAD and thus CVD remains an open question. Seafood is already considered a recommended and essential aspect of a healthy diet globally. Furthermore, diets that lack adequate taurine levels can adversely impact on the health status of the fetus during pregnancy, which may lead to increased risk of pathologies in adulthood. Considering that meat consumption is a major contributor to global warming, certain lifestyle choices which reduce or eliminate animal product intake using renewable food sources are needed to supplement dietary patterns, which may not be adequate. Plant-based diets need to be well planned if they are to provide cardiovascular benefits, as there are differences in nutrients between plant-source foods, which may lead to nutrient deficiencies. Given that taurine has anti-inflammatory properties, it is an important amino acid in controlling cardiovascular disease (CVD), as inflammation has been suggested to be one of the major contributors to type-2 diabetes (a risk factor of CVD). In humans, taurine has shown anti-inflammatory effects, blood pressure regulation, and at high levels, may protect against coronary heart disease (CAD). The oxidation of hypotaurine, via an unknown enzyme, renders taurine. Molecular oxygen is then incorporated into cysteine to form cysteinesulfinate, which leads to the production of hypotaurine. Homocysteine is converted into cystathionine, which in turn is converted into cysteine. Taurine can also be synthesized endogenously from dietary intake of methionine to the homocysteine conversion pathway in humans. Taurine is present in high amounts in: shellfish (scallops, mussels, clams), red meat, organ meats, chicken, turkey, eggs, and more recently, in energy drinks. Taurine (2-aminoethanesulphonic acid) is a sulfur-containing α-amino acid abundantly expressed in animal tissues (including the brain, retina, muscles, and organs throughout the body).

Taurine effects hematologic properties and diseases.