What Causes Taurine Deficiency?

Introduction

• Taurine is a relatively uncommon subject in the health world. However, taurine is an important amino acid that helps detoxify the body and helps with the processes involved in your metabolism, nervous system, brain and visual pathways. Taurine helps stabilize cell membranes by allowing the passage of sodium and potassium ions in and out of the cells in your body. Taurine deficiency can occur for a number of reasons and may cause serious problems with your body--including impaired vision, weight gain, depression, hypertension, kidney problems and anxiety.
  
  

Production

• One of the most common causes of taurine deficiency is your body essentially not making enough of the amino acid. This is likely because your body is already experiencing a deficiency in other essential products needed to produce taurine. Deficiencies in vitamin A, zinc, vitamin B6 and the amino acids methionine and cysteine can cause your body to not be able to make enough taurine.
  
  

Enzymes

• Certain enzymes in the body are also needed to make taurine. The enzyme cysteinsulfinic decarboxylase is one of the most important of these enzymes. This enzyme is mostly found in fish, meat and eggs, which can make those following a vegetarian diet more at risk for developing a taurine deficiency.
  
  

Bacteria

• Certain bacteria, especially anaerobic bacteria, can interrupt the taurine creation process. These disease-causing organisms can interrupt the bile production process, which in turn degrades the taurine that is produced.
  
  

MSG

• Ingesting too much monosodium glutamate (MSG) can also cause a taurine deficiency. This popular food additive, often found in Chinese food, has degrading effects on taurine in the body. Luckily, the popularity of MSG has decreased as more information surfaces about the harmful effects of the additive.