This is awesome research. Why didn't anyone tell us about this?!! (OK, it's mice with Malaria, but Malaria research has consistently matched my experiences with its close cousin, Babesia.)
To summarize:
Researchers impaired a taurine regulation gene in experimental mice. The control group was genetically normal.
All were inoculated with Malaria. 100% of the experimental group died. 90% of the control group successfully cleared the parasite and survived.
The experimental group showed significantly depleted levels of taurine in the blood. They also showed increases in systemic cytokines (the BAD ones), reduced immune function and high levels of ammonia in the blood. Death was due to multi-organ failure.
Umm...this is a big deal. Whenever I do an amino acid panel, I am taurine deficient. Guess what co-factors we need to regulate taurine? Zinc and magnesium. Is this profile sounding familiar to anyone?
It is crucial for us to reduce these inflammatory cytokines to recover our immune systems.
Here are some other functions of Taurine:
From Wiki:
Taurine is essential for cardiovascular function, and development and function of skeletal muscle, the retina and the central nervous system.
Taurine crosses the blood–brain barrier and has been implicated in a wide array of physiological phenomena including inhibitory neurotransmission, long-term potentiation in the striatum/hippocampus, membrane stabilization,
feedback inhibition of neutrophil/macrophage respiratory burst, adipose tissue regulation and possible prevention of obesity, calcium homeostasis, recovery from osmotic shock, protection against glutamate excitotoxicity and prevention of epileptic seizures.
It also acts as an antioxidant and protects against toxicity of various substances (such as lead and cadmium). Additionally, supplementation with taurine has been shown to prevent oxidative stress induced by exercise.
In a 2008 study, taurine has been shown to reduce the risk factors of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease.
In a 2003 study, Zhang et al. have demonstrated the hypocholesterolemic (blood cholesterol-lowering) effect of dietary taurine in young overweight adults.
Furthermore, they reported body weight also decreased significantly in the taurine supplemented group. These findings are consistent with animal studies.
Taurine has also been shown to help people with congestive heart failure by increasing the force and effectiveness of heart-muscle contractions.
Taurine levels were found to be significantly lower in vegans than in a control group on a standard American diet. Plasma taurine was 78% of control values, and urinary taurine was 29%.
In cells, taurine keeps potassium and magnesium inside the cell, while keeping excessive sodium out. In this sense, it works like a diuretic.
Because it aids the movement of potassium, sodium, and calcium in and out of the cell, taurine has been used as a dietary supplement for epileptics, as well as for people who have uncontrollable facial twitches.
According to animal studies, taurine produces an anxiolytic effect and may act as a modulator or antianxiety agent in the central nervous system by activating the glycine receptor.
Taurine is necessary for normal skeletal muscle functioning. This was shown by a 2004 study using mice with a genetic taurine deficiency. They had a nearly complete depletion of skeletal and cardiac muscle taurine levels. These mice had a reduction of more than 80% of exercise capacity compared to control mice.
Studies have shown taurine can influence (and possibly reverse) defects in nerve blood flow, motor nerve conduction velocity, and nerve sensory thresholds in experimental diabetic neuropathic rats.
In another study on diabetic rats, taurine significantly decreased weight and decreased blood sugar in these animal models. Likewise, a 2008 study demonstrated taurine administration to diabetic rabbits resulted in 30% decrease in serum glucose levels
According to the single study on human subjects, daily administration of 1.5g taurine had no significant effect on insulin secretion or insulin sensitivity. There is evidence that taurine may exert a beneficial effect in preventing diabetes-associated microangiopathy and tubulointerstitial injury in diabetic nephropathy.
The United States Department of Agriculture has found a link between cataract development and lower levels of vitamin B6, folate, and taurine in the diets of the elderly.
Since the recommended adult dose is 500mg - 5 or 6 grams/day, I'm taking 2-3 grams/day.
It is already helping with depression, energy and inflammation. I'll let you know about exercise tolerance after I go to the gym.
**Warning: taurine is a sulfur-based amino acid, so if you cannot metabolize sulphur (CBS mutation on the methylation panel), you may want to proceed with caution.
I have been sulphur-intolerant for long periods of time during Lyme, but I seem to be tolerating it now. I don't know how taurine supplementation would affect methylation pathways.
Sources suggest taking it with P5P (active B6) for proper uptake and utilization.
posted
Thank you so much for the great information!! Very interesting!
Do you have the CBS gene? I do and know that I am sulfur sensitive so wonder about adding taurine to my supplements.
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TerryK
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Very helpful information. Thanks for posting.
I have the CBS upregulation so I have avoided taurine. I'm currently in a babesia flair so I may have to reconsider.
When I have to increase sulfur I am able to manage it by taking more sparga (nutrimedix). Without it I get a lot more pain if I have too much sulfur.
Terry
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gmb
Unregistered
posted
Thanks B-mom. I'll look into this as well. Boy, the list for Babs treatment certainly is getting long (and expensive).
Off Topic: Have you started Coartem yet? I posted my first Coartem herx symptom in your Babs warrior topic.
Our LLMD started our daughter on taurine right at the beginning of her treatment and she takes it to this day. I was wondering if perhaps it was one of the supplements we could do away as we downsize the supplement list.
Now I'm thinking I should start it for myself, husband and son. It does sound as though taurine is essential.
-------------------- 13 yo DX PANS/Tourette's/Asperger's/ADHD treated for Igenex positive bartonella/IND lyme with 2 years of abx treatment. Weaned off abx April 2013 at 80% improvement. Continuing with Buhner bartonella/babesia protocols. Aug 2014 99% improvement. Posts: 265 | From Canada, Ontario | Registered: Jul 2013
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CD57
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posted
What dose of taurine, rowingmom?
Your LLMD sounds very good.
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CD57
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posted
What dose of taurine, rowingmom?
Your LLMD sounds very good.
Posts: 3528 | From US | Registered: Apr 2007
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posted
500 mg taurine, QD, along with magnesium taurate 125 mg BID. I had switched the magnesium taurate to mag citrate, as it is easier for me to find, but we have kept up with the taurine. Perhaps I will increase it.
-------------------- 13 yo DX PANS/Tourette's/Asperger's/ADHD treated for Igenex positive bartonella/IND lyme with 2 years of abx treatment. Weaned off abx April 2013 at 80% improvement. Continuing with Buhner bartonella/babesia protocols. Aug 2014 99% improvement. Posts: 265 | From Canada, Ontario | Registered: Jul 2013
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-------------------- You won't know how sick I was until you see me when I'm well ! Posts: 123 | From Colorado | Registered: Sep 2012
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Kudzuslipper
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posted
Check out jarrow magnesium optimizer. It has mag, potasium and taurine all in one pill Posts: 1728 | From USA | Registered: May 2011
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