Taurine deficiency occurs when the body cannot produce enough of the organic acid, which can cause impaired vision, weight gain, depression, and anxiety. Deficiencies in vitamins and amino acids, as well as bacterial and fungal infections, can lead to taurine deficiency. Treatment options include supplements, addressing other deficiencies, and dietary changes.
Taurine deficiency occurs when an individual does not consume enough taurine or 2-aminoethanesulfonic acid, an organic acid that has many important biological functions in the body. Taurine plays an important role in roles related to metabolism and to certain pathways in the nervous system, particularly those related to brain function and vision. It is generally produced by the body; Taurine deficiency tends to occur when the body is unable to produce enough organic acid. A deficiency in taurine often suggests a deficiency in some other nutrient in the body, as there are many vitamins, minerals, and enzymes involved in taurine production.
Taurine deficiency can be quite difficult to identify because its symptoms resemble many different disorders. One of the most common symptoms is impaired vision, as taurine plays an important role in visual nerve pathways. You also need to properly digest fats, so deficiency leads to weight gain in some cases as well. Taurine deficiency can also cause some psychological symptoms such as depression or anxiety; This is also related to the role of taurine in the pathways of the nervous system. Other possible symptoms include hypertension, hyperthyroidism, and in particularly extreme and rare cases, kidney problems as severe as kidney failure.
There are several possible causes of taurine deficiency, and most of them are related to some other imbalance or disorder. Deficiencies in several vitamins and amino acids, such as vitamin A, zinc, cysteine, and methionine, can decrease the body’s production of taurine. Those who do not eat enough meat or eggs often lack the necessary components to produce some enzymes that are necessary to produce proper levels of taurine. Some bacterial and fungal infections, such as candida, interfere with the body’s taurine-producing complexes. Monosodium glutamate (MSG), a component used to flavor many processed foods, breaks down taurine, thereby reducing the amount the body has to work with.
Once one is able to identify taurine deficiency, there are many ways to treat it and maintain healthy organic acid levels. There are many different taurine supplements in pill, powder, or liquid form that can return the amount of taurine in the body to healthy levels. Identifying and treating other deficiencies in vitamins, amino acids, and enzymes can also help address taurine deficiency problems. Diet changes can also be used to reverse deficiency; consuming more meat, fish and eggs and eating less processed foods with MSG can help taurine levels return to normal.
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