Nutrition Trivia: Taurine
Posted by Cheryl Koch, R.D. on Sat,
One of the early lessons for nutrition students is the difference between essential and non-essential amino acids. Essential amino acids are, by definition, amino acids that cannot be synthesized from other available sources and, therefore, are required in our diets.
Non-essential amino acids, on the other hand, can be synthesized in the body and do not need to be consumed as part of the diet.
Taurine, considered a non-essential amino acid, has recently joined the list of ingredients in energy drinks and pills taken by bodybuilders to help them maintain muscle and metabolize (burn) fats.
In addition, manufacturers of some of these products claim that taurine enhances the effects of caffeine and/or other stimulants. To date, however, no research studies have confirmed this claim.
So here’s Nutrition Trivia Fact 2: While taurine is often referred to as an amino acid, it does not meet the true definition of amino acid because it does not enter into protein synthesis. Taurine is derived from the Latin word “Taurus,” meaning ox, because it was first discovered in ox bile.