Taurine is a sulphur-containing amino acid. Amino acids are compounds used by the body for a number of functions including the formation of proteins, thus they are often referred to as the building blocks of proteins. However, taurine is a free amino acid which is not incorporated into proteins, it is abundant in many tissues including the heart, eyes, nerve cells and skeletal muscle. Taurine has a number of important physiological actions and functions.

Taurine is used in the production of bile acids which are important for fat digestion and absorption
Taurine has antioxidant properties via a number of different mechanisms. These have been linked to a number of beneficial actions
It is the most abundant amino acid in the retina (the back of the eye). There is a possible role of taurine depletion in retinal diseases
It is essential for cardiovascular function and taurine has been found to be deficient in patients suffering from heart failure
Important dietary sources of taurine are fish and seafood, meat also contains a modest amount. In addition taurine can be synthesised in the body, from other sulphur containing amino acids – methionine and cysteine. The rate of biosynthesis is low and requires pyridoxal-5-phosphate (the active coenzyme form of vitamin B6) as a cofactor. A vitamin B6 deficiency has been shown to impair taurine synthesis. Thus taurine is classed as a ‘conditionally essential’ nutrient.