L Taurine Benefit and Side Effects
Benefit of Taurine Supplement
Taurine is a sulfur-containing amino acid (as are methionine and cysteine). Body stores of taurine are concentrated in the muscles and central nervous system. The body can make taurine from methionine and cysteine, which is why it's considered nonessential-but it can also be obtained from animal protein foods such as meat, milk, eggs, and fish. Taurine is receiving increased attention from researchers who believe it to be a much more important amino acid than previously thought.
Not only is taurine a potent antioxidant, but it (along with the amino acids arginine and homocysteine) has been shown to affect some of the risk factors for heart disease. Specifically, taurine seems to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Studies with animals have indicated that LDL ("bad" cholesterol) and triglyceride levels in particular are decreased with taurine supplementation. In addition, in studies where animals were fed a high-cholesterol diet, taurine supplements reduced both blood and liver cholesterol levels.
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