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]