Taurine: an overview of its role in preventive medicine.

Taurine (2-aminoethanesulfonic acid), well known for its role in bile salt synthesis, is also involved in a number of crucial physiological processes including modulation of calcium flux and neuronal excitability, osmoregulation, detoxification, and membrane stabilization. With the exception of cow's milk, taurine is widely distributed in foods from many animal, but not plant, sources. Although taurine is synthesized from sulfur-containing amino acids, concern has been expressed about the adequacy of endogenous sources, especially in neonates.