Posted by jay on July 11, 2004, at 14:15:05
In reply to Re: Lar...Taurine and mixed anxiety/depression » jay, posted by Larry Hoover on July 11, 2004, at 13:38:43
> > Hey Larry...is there much evidence as to if Taurine plays a role in mental conditions? It seems to have anti-seizure properties, and also anti-anxiety benefits. Could you explain this a bit..if you don't mind? Thanks very much,
> >
> > Jay
>
> Thanks, Jay. I'm grateful for the question, for without it, I would not have moved taurine from my list of "I would like to try this", to my "I'm buying this tomorrow" list.
>
> I only spent about a half hour digging stuff up, so there must surely be much that I have not yet considered. Here's a quick and dirty summary of taurine's effects.
>
> The amino acid taurine has never been found in a mammalian protein (as far as I know, only as a dipeptide), yet it is found in relatively high concentrations in both blood plasma and brain tissues. Specific enzymes dedicated solely to its synthesis are found in high concentration in brain tissues. Why, you ask?
>
> Taurine is a neuromodulator. It assists the brain in regulating the effects of neurotransmitters. There are dedicated taurine storage systems and uptake pumps at brain synapses.
>
> Here's a quick list of some of its effects:
> 1. It normalizes norepinephrine stress response thresholds, which is to say, it reduces NE release if it is excessive, but does not affect it if the level is normal.
> 2. It has an additive effect to GABA release, probably by increasing total GABA response. It may also be a direct agonist at GABA(A) receptors.
> 3. It is an essential modulator of mitochondrial transfer-RNA, and normalizes defective ATP production in at least two mitochondrial energy disorders (i.e. it might help in chronic fatigue and fibromylagia).
> 4. It enhances endogenous opioid levels (beta-endorphin).
> 5. In the manner of mood-stabilizers, it regulates calcium flux in neurons.
> 6. It protects against excitatory neurotoxicity (as by glutamate).
> 7. It probably increases dopamine turnover.
> 8. It promotes neuroplasticity (e.g. in hippocampus).
> 9. It probably synergizes with zinc.
> 10. Taurine deficiency may be one of the critical triggers for alcoholism. Ethanol triggers taurine release in brain. Taurine supplements reduce alcohol seeking. The drug acamprosate, used to treat alcoholism, is calcium acetylhomotaurinate.
> 11. Taurine is a direct modulator of the HPA, via receptors in the hypothalamus.
>
> Will that do, for a start?
>
> If I may be so bold, it may be that the adverse effects of chronic stress, and induction of some mood disorders, may arise from depletion of neuronal taurine stores. Taurine is a sulphur-bearing amino acid, and there are numerous others in that inter-related biochemical family (SAMe, methionine, homocysteine, cysteine) for which abnormal concentrations are also related to mood disorders. Taurine is synthesized from cysteine (which is found in whey protein), which may itself be synthesized from SAMe or homocysteine via the trans-sulphuration pathway (heavily dependent on vitamin B6).
>
> Many years ago, it was private correspondence with a mood-disordered man, which triggered my interest in nutritional supplements as treatments for mental conditions. He was an ultra-rapid-cycling bipolar, with dysphoric mania (if I recall correctly, he also abused alcohol). No medical treatment stabilized his mood. Somehow, he came to experiment with taurine, and his mood stabilized for the first time in his life. Maybe this is coming full circle. Alan, if you're out there, buddy, I owe you large.
>
> Brain taurine uptake is linear with plasma concentrations, so oral supps directly supplement brain stores, without fear of competition or other uptake considerations.
>
> Lar
>
>Larry, I have found Taurine to have effects much in line with benzos, without all of the side effects. (i.e. drowsiness, forgetfullness) I have been using it on and off over the past year, because I used to have to get it imported at a local health food store. (And the cost was much too.) Now, with cheaper prices, I am going to even further expand my use of it, mainly to help me get through anxious times when my mood stabalizer and benzos aren't enough.
I also found a few abstracts on PubMed suggesting, as may have been the case with your friend you mentioned above, that it may have some use in alcoholism. I *also* know for a fact there are a few drug companies looking into Taurine, and possibly making subtle changes as a good mood regulator and also for seizures.
I will try to keep up to date on my experiences with it on here, and would really suggest to you and others to possibly give it a whirl. It may be 'brain food' to assist protection from a number of mental health conditions.
Thanks for your great post(s) and research!
Best,
Jay
poster:jay
thread:364999
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20040613/msgs/365035.html