The beta-amino sulfonic acid taurine is formed during the conversion of the amino acids cysteine and methionine. It can be produced in the body or taken in with food as it is mainly found in fish, meat and milk. Taurine is involved in various metabolic processes in the body and is important for the muscles, the central nervous system and bile flow. Taurine concentrations in the body are highest in the brain, retina, muscles, heart and leukocytes.
Taurine - not only for Red Bull, but also for your patients' hearts!
01 February 2023 — by Linn Masch
Taurine - a versatile substance, involved in the central nervous system (CNS) and muscle processes, has an antioxidant effect and supports heart function. Our four-legged friends benefit from an optimal intake of taurine, and is essential for the cats. But what is this taurine? And why is it so important for the body? And, most importantly: How can it benefit you in practice?
Taurin ist eine Aminosäure, die bei zahlreichen physiologischen Vorgängen beteiligt ist. Ihre Aufnahme ist gerade für Katzen essentiell.
Effect
Taurine is involved in numerous metabolic processes in the organism, although not all the mechanisms of taurine are yet fully understood. These include:
- Osmoregulation
- Involvement in the regulation of cell volume
- Calcium regulation in the heart and skeletal muscle
- Protection of the retina
- Substrate for the formation of bile salts
- Influence on the hormone system
- Stabilization of cell membranes
- Antioxidant effect
- Influence on fat digestion
- Involvement in the development of the brain and functions of the central nervous system (CNS)
- Antiarrhythmic effect
Durch Taurin wird die gesunde Herzfunktion unterstützt und Herzproblemen, die durch Taurinmangel bedingt sind, vorgebeugt.
Taurine is an osmotically active substance that can diffuse through the semi-permeable membrane of the cell. The aim of these active substances is to equalize the osmotic value of the cytosol and the environment. Taurine is therefore involved in the regulation of cell volume, among other things, which prevents osmotic stress in the cell. The osmotic stress of a cell can, for example, be caused by high osmotic pressure and impair the function of the cell. Taurine can also increase the heart's ability to contract. This happens by regulating the calcium and potassium concentrations in the heart muscle cells.
Consequently, taurine has a positive effect on the heart. Dogs can synthesize taurine themselves, but several breeds do not manage to produce enough. This can lead to cardiomyopathy caused by taurine deficiency. Supplementation of taurine via the feed can therefore be useful, for example in Newfoundlands. Studies have shown that retrievers, English setters, American cocker spaniels and border collies can also be affected.
Taurine and L-carnithine can also support cardiac activity in the case of pre-existing heart failure. In such cases, the food should also be low in sodium and energy-dense. Omega-3 fatty acids also have a positive effect on the course of the disease. During the formation of bile acid, the primary bile acids, cholesterol and chenodeoxycholic acid are conjugated with taurine and bile salts are formed. Taurine is a substrate in the formation of bile salts and causes an increase in bile flow and thus prevents cholestasis. The resulting bile salts enter the small intestine, break down and are used to digest fat.
Taurine is also found throughout the eye, mainly in the retina. There it serves the development of photoreceptors, the cones and rods, and also counteracts neuronal damage. It has a stabilizing effect on the retina.
Gerade bei großen Hunderassen kann eine zusätzliche Zufuhr von Taurin sinnvoll sein.
Through sympathetic regulation, taurine is involved in lowering blood pressure. It also has an anti-arrhythmic effect and promotes a steady heartbeat. Studies have shown that taurine can prevent strokes and coronary heart disease. Studies have also shown that the use of taurine can lead to a lower body mass index, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and lower total cholesterol.
Last but not least, it has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and detoxifying properties. Thanks to its antioxidant effect, taurine can bind reactive free radicals and prevent cell damage. Not bad, is it?
Cats and taurine
Taurine is essential for cats as they can't synthesize taurine in sufficient quantities on their own. Synthesis is limited because the enzyme required for taurine synthesis is not present in sufficient quantities in cats. In addition, cats can only conjugate bile acids with taurine, while other animal species use glycine as an alternative. An insufficient content in complete animal feed can lead to a taurine deficiency, the symptoms of which are as follows.
Symptoms of a taurine deficiency
- Retinal degeneration
- Dilated cardiomyopathy
- Renal dysfunction
- Fertility disorders
- Lack of conjugation to bile salts in the cat
Dogs and taurine
Unlike cats, many breeds of dog can synthesize taurine themselves. However, especially in large breeds, taurine synthesis does not occur in sufficient quantities. Due to the risk of a taurine deficiency and the development of resulting diseases, taurine supplementation is advisable for large breeds of dog as a prophylactic measure.
Areas of application for taurine
Taurine is used preventively for cardiovascular diseases and strokes. In human medicine, taurine is mainly used parenterally in neonates when the liver and retina are not yet fully developed. It can also have a supportive effect on the cell membrane, fat digestion and neurotransmission.
- Support of blood pressure regulation
- Activation of bile flow and influence on cholesterol levels
- Support for diseases with oxidative stress
- Support for heart disease
- Formation of the retina and nerve cells in newborns
