The Importance of Taurine
 
Taurine is a sulfur amino acid that is essential to ferrets and other
living beings such as humans and felines.  Although taurine is widely
considered to be an amino acid, the molecule doesnt contain carboxyl
groups (carboxylic acids are organic and generally very weak acids.  The
basic formula for this is COOH, a common form being R-COOH.), like the
other amino acids.  Taurine molecules contain sulfonic groups.
 
It is suggested that taurine is needed for healthy eyesight.  In humans,
taurine is found in high levels in the eye, mostly around the parts of
the eye used for night vision and the retina.  The heart and brain also
hold high amounts of it.  It is also necessary for detoxification, among
other vital processes including the production of bile and/or bile
components.  In fact, taurine was first discovered in ox bile and was
respectively named after the ox.  It has also been suggested that taurine
helps keep the immune system in good shape.  Unlike amino acids, taurine
is essentially considered to be a free amino acid.  This means that
taurine doesnt congregate with proteins, rather it is found floating
in various parts of the body.
 
Not many studies have shown the effects of a high taurine diet; although
there is not much proof to suggest animals (mostly cats) eating high
taurine diets have any health problems.  The only concern is the change
it may have on the liver.  Low levels of taurine may actually be (and
some have already been) linked to certain diseases and disorders such as
cardiomyopathy and retinal degeneration.  For nursing mothers, a taurine
supplement may be beneficial due to the fact that it aids in the
production of milk.  In humans, low levels of taurine were discovered in
seizure and heart attack patients.  Taurine supplements are sometimes
given for these patients.  The reason high, normal levels of taurine
decrease the risk of seizures in epilepsy patients is because taurine is
a neuro-inhibitory neurotransmitter.  This means that taurine slows the
act of neurotransmitters traveling over the synapse (the path that leads
to the receiving end of the nerve action).
 
Taurine in ferrets has not been studied much.  At least, not nearly
as much as it has been documented and researched in cats, for example.
In cats, there has been a link between cardiomyopathy and low taurine
levels.  Most of the resources available sway towards the theory that
ferrets cannot synthesize taurine as humans and dogs can and therefore
it needs to be supplied in the diet.  Natural sources of taurine are
suggested to be better than synthetic taurine, which is used in some
pet foods.  It is probably far better to assume that ferrets cannot
synthesize taurine rather than omit taurine from the diet.  There are
more risks associated with low levels of taurine than high levels.  More
research must be done on ferrets and their relationship with taurine.
 
Here are some levels to show you how different meats, poultry, and
seafood have extremely different levels of taurine.  The following
measurements are mg/kg.
 
  Raw lamb muscle: 473
  Raw clams: 2400
  Raw chicken muscle: 337
  Raw beef: 43
  Raw veal: 40
  Shellfish: 3320
  Pork heart: 2000
(Adapted from http://www.serve.com/BatonRouge/taurine_chmr.htm
A compilation by Ch. M. Ruessheim December 30, 2000")
 
So keep this in mind when you are trying out a raw/natural diet.  Also
make sure your ferret kibble (if using) contains taurine as an
ingredient.
 
Amino Acid- n.  Any of a class of organic compounds that contains at
least one amino group, -NH2, and one carboxyl group, -COOH: the alpha
amino acids, RCH (NH2) COOH, are the building block from which proteins
are constructed. (Websters College Dictionary, 1991, 45.)
 
Sources:
  http://www.serve.com/BatonRouge/taurine_chmr.htm
  http://www.thorne.com/altmedrev/fulltext/taurine3-2.html
  Websters College Dictionary, 1991, 45
  http://www.eyesight.nu/taurine_info.html
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taurine
  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carboxylic_acid
  http://www.angelfire.com/journal2/sadhelp/taurine.htm
  http://dictionary.reference.com/
 
A little rusty, but not bad for a highschool sohpmore, eh?  If you have
any questions or comments, email me!
 
Krista and her five fuzzy kids:)
Interested in saving the lives of animals?  Visit
http://www.veganoutreach.org/index.html or email me for more info.
[Posted in FML issue 5146]