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TaurineTaurine, like the amino acid Glycine does not polarize light and consequently does not have an L- or D-configuration. In terms of anti aging, there are several key functions for the compound, in addition to it being an effective antioxidant. For example, the amino acid is a key component in the production of bile, which is needed for the digestion of fats, the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, and the support of healthy cholesterol levels. Taurine has also been shown to play a role in sparing of potassium from the heart muscle, which promotes healthy heart function. The compound also has cardiovascular benefits as it has shown in research to lower blood pressure, for instance, and decrease insulin resistance by acting as an insulin mimetic. In terms of brain health, the amino acid does provide support for neurotransmitters and has a protective effect on the brain. Taurine - StudiesTherapeutic applications of taurine [abstract only] Altern Med Rev. 1998 Apr;3(2):128-36. Birdsall TC Taurine deficiency syndrome in cats Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 1989 May;19(3):403-13. Hayes KC, Trautwein EA [The amino acid taurine—physiology and pathophysiology][Article in German] Schweiz Arch Tierheilkd. 1991;133(10):467-76. Wolffram S Taurine suppresses development of atherosclerosis in Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic (WHHL) rabbits. Atherosclerosis. 2002 Jul;163(1):79-87. Murakami S, Kondo Y, Sakurai T, Kitajima H, Nagate T Taurine prevents beta-glycerophosphate-induced calcification in cultured rat vascular smooth muscle cells. Heart Vessels. 2004 May;19(3):125-31. Li J, Zhang B, Huang Z, Wang S, Tang C, Du J Treatment of hypertension with oral taurine: experimental and clinical studies Amino Acids. 2002;23(4):381-93. Militante JD, Lombardini JB Therapeutic effect of taurine in congestive heart failure: a double-blind crossover trial Clin Cardiol. 1985 May;8(5):276-82. Azuma J, Sawamura A, Awata N, Ohta H, Hamaguchi T, Harada H, Takihara K, Hasegawa H, Yamagami T, Ishiyama T, et al. Usefulness of taurine in chronic congestive heart failure and its prospective application Jpn Circ J. 1992 Jan;56(1):95-9. Azuma J, Sawamura A, Awata N Nutritional and herbal therapies in the treatment of heart disease in cats and dogs J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 2005 Nov-Dec;41(6):355-67. Gompf RE [Therapeutic effects of taurine in epilepsy: a clinical and polyphysiographic study][Article in Italian] Riv Patol Nerv Ment. 1975 May-Jun;96(3):166-84. Marchesi GF, Quattrini A, Scarpino O, Dellantonio R Therapeutic trial by taurine for intractable childhood epilepsies Brain Dev. 1982;4(1):63-9. Fukuyama Y, Ochiai Y Taurine supplementation and diabetes mellitus Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2006 Jan;9(1):32-6. Franconi F, Loizzo A, Ghirlanda G, Seghieri G Is taurine beneficial in reducing risk factors for diabetes mellitus? Neurochem Res. 2004 Jan;29(1):143-50. Franconi F, Di Leo MA, Bennardini F, Ghirlanda G Beneficial effects of taurine on serum lipids in overweight or obese non-diabetic subjects. Amino Acids. 2004 Jun;26(3):267-71. Epub 2003 Dec 15. Zhang M, Bi LF, Fang JH, Su XL, Da GL, Kuwamori T, Kagamimori S Taurine and taurine-deficiency in the perinatal period J Perinat Med. 2002;30(4):281-6. Aerts L, Van Assche FA
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