Today we’re going to take a look at taurine, an amino acid that brand new research reveals plays multiple and amazing roles in bone health.
Although taurine is the most abundant intracellular, sulphur-containing amino acid in the body, its importance in overall health hasn’t been explored until recently. In fact, its role in bone health has been discovered this past month.
Like all non-essential amino acids, taurine can be made in the body from cysteine and methionine, two other amino acids. But as with essential amino acids, levels tend to be low among those who do not get enough taurine in their diet.
Taurine’s Many Roles In The Body
Taurine is involved in a vast number of body processes, and scientists continue to find more ways that taurine is involved.
Taurine:
- Acts as an antioxidant, particularly protecting the kidneys from free radical damage.
- Has a stabilizing and calming effect on the brain, even helping conditions like depression, anxiety, and seizure disorders.
- Helps in the formation of bile acids.
- Boosts the action of insulin.
But where taurine really shines is in regards to bone health.
Exciting New Research Reveals a Taurine-Dependent, Bone-Building Biological Process
For this groundbreaking study, researchers found that B12 deficiency severely reduced bone mass in young mice. This is old news to Savers, who are well aware of the bone-building properties of B12, a Foundation Supplement in the Osteoporosis Reversal Program. But the mechanism by which B12 increased bone density was previously not well understood.
That’s where taurine comes in.
In the mouse study, scientists were surprised to find that low B12 levels decreased the number of osteoblasts (bone-building cells) by two-thirds, but the number of osteoclasts (bone-destroying cells) remained unchanged. Plus low B12 levels had a profound effect on liver cells.1
Researchers found that the liver cells of mice born to B12-deficient mothers were unable to produce taurine – suggesting the importance both of the liver and of taurine in B12 uptake. The mice’s bones grew normally and recovered density when they were fed regular doses of taurine.1
Interestingly, experiential evidence with B12-deficient humans lines up with these findings. For example, data from Kocaeli University Hospital in Turkey showed that children whose mothers were B12-deficient had lower levels of B12 and taurine.
Foods High In Taurine
As we age, the need for dietary taurine increases. In keeping with the nutritional philosophy of the Osteoporosis Reversal Program, let’s look at whole food sources of this crucial amino acid.
Here are some of the foods with the highest taurine content, some of which are Foundation Foods in the Program.
- Plain yogurt*
- Salmon*
- Mackerel*
- Cottage cheese
- Wild game meats
- Granola
- Chocolate*
- Wheat germ
- Eggs*
- Poultry
- Avocado*
*Foundation Food
You’ll notice that many taurine-rich Foundation Foods are acidifying , but remember, acidifying foods are not off-limits on the Osteoporosis Reversal Program. Many of them have significant nutritional value so they do have a place in a bone-healthy diet, so long as they’re properly balanced for the pH.
More Specific Ways Taurine Helps Your Bones
In addition to playing a role in the synthesis of Vitamin B12, this amazing amino acid builds bone in two specific ways:
- It is crucial for the proper functioning of potassium, magnesium, sodium, and calcium.2
- Taurine detoxifies the liver.3
It’s obvious that your bones can’t thrive if key minerals are not absorbed and functioning properly in the body.
Your Bones Can’t Thrive Without A Properly Functioning Liver
Unfortunately, the role of the liver in promoting bone health is seldom if ever mentioned by the Medical Establishment.
Yet your liver is essential for proper digestion and the distribution of nutrients that your bones need. When the liver is burdened under an onslaught of environmental toxins present in food, air, and water, then its function is impaired, negatively affecting your bone density.
As you learned today, eating foods high in taurine is important, and even protects the liver, but that’s not enough. Because your liver must be in good working order for all the bone healthy nutrients (including taurine) to do their job. This is one of the reasons a periodic liver cleanse is vital to your bone health and to effectively increase your bone density.
When I created the Osteoporosis Fresh Start Cleanse: The 7 Day Bone Building Accelerator, I recognized the urgent need for this often overlooked aspect of bone health.
The Osteoporosis Fresh Start Cleanse gives you step-by-step instructions with scientifically-backed, detailed information about foods and beverages that cleanse your body of dangerous drugs and other toxins.
And besides improving liver function, it also helps your kidneys maximize their important role in maintaining the pH-balance your bones need to retain density.
That is how the Osteoporosis Fresh Start Cleanse sets the stage for better bone health and faster bone-building: by helping you alkalize your body and cleansing your detoxification organs.
Please click here to learn more about this revolutionary cleanse that accelerates the bone building process.
Till next time,
References
1 Roman-Garcia, Pablo, et al. “Vitamin B12–dependent taurine synthesis regulates growth and bone mass.” Journal of Clinical Investigation, June 2014; DOI: 10.1172/JCI72606
2 Liu HY, Chi FL, Gao WY. “Taurine modulates calcium influx under normal and ototoxic conditions in isolated cochlear spiral ganglion neurons.” Pharmacol Rep. 2008 Jul-Aug;60(4):508-13.
3 Wu C, Kennedy DO, Yano Y, et al. “Thiols and polyamines in the cytoprotective effect of taurine on carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity.” J Biochem Mol Toxicol. 1999;13(2):71-6.
You May Also Like These Related Articles:
Lysine: The Essential Amino Acid That Builds Collagen And So Much More
Leucine: The Amino Acid Scientifically-Proven To Build Your Bones And Your Muscles
Fountain Of Youth? The Anti-Aging Bone-Building Amino Acid That Helps Maintain Your pH Balance And Much More!Comments on this article are closed.
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Where the fuck is your resource of that list telling wheat germ is a taurine source?!that list is be man.for god sake be careful you may mislead people. Wtf man!
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Hi Vivian,
How do I find “DISTILLER” water purification to purchase
and how much is it?Thanks,
Sebastian -
I heard a veterinarian say on the radio that they add taurine to pet food to prevent them from getting macular degeneration. I asked a doctor why they didn’t add it to human food. He said because people can make their own. My mother had macular degeneration and I always wondered why. Now I learn from you that you need vitamin B12 to make taurine. My mother had pernicious anemia and was so B12 deficient she had to go in for shots. Too bad I didn’t know to give her taurine back then. It is amazing how all these nutrients are connected! Thank you for all the info.
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Hi Vivian, thanks for your tremendous research. What I would like to know is, can I do the “Osteo Cleanse” if I am on an anti-depressant? Because, my psychiatrist said I must not take anything that will take the anti-depressant out of the body. I once used a green supplement, & I started getting breakthrough depression. Anyway, I am going to someone who can help me try & get off anti-depressants by introducing a natural remedy called “Felix” from Saffron.Have you heard about it Vivian, & what do you think?
Thanks so much,
Joy -
I bought you offer Posture Confidence in an e-book form a couple of years ago. I had not been using it for a while. Since I am suffering from a recurring shoulder problem I thought I would use Posture Confidence again. I cannot open it as it is asking me for a Document Open Password. How can I get this?
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Hi Muriel,
Please check your inbox for an email from Customer Support. 🙂 We’ll make sure you get the contact information for Posture Confidence or anything else you need to access your materials. -
Hi Muriel,
You may need to click on the button at the bottom of this page- “Customer Support” and then submit a request for that information you need. Hope that helps.
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I didn’t get the confirmation that you got my order for OsteoCleanse. Please reply because I gave you my credit card number, etc.
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Hi Jean,
Please check your inbox for an email from Customer Support. 🙂
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Dear Vivian,
Thank you very much for sharing your knowledge on
different topics to equip each of us and to apply it
accordingly. Thank you also for the encouraging e-mails
from others.
Have a wonderful day and take care always.
Marlene -
Hi Vivian,
I have been following your program for one full year. Last year, my doctor wanted me to go on meds, but I did research and found your program . I ate most veggies, fruits, almond milk, and took TRANsistor along with your supplements you recommended. I exercised, but because of our hard winter in WI not as much as I should have. I THOUGHT I would have great results because of all my changes, sacrifices, and decisions. I had my bone density last MONDAY, and the technician allowed me to see the scans. I went DOWN again with ALL my changes. It was incredulous to me! I get my actual results on MONDAY! I AM SURE the doctor will talk all about meds. WHAT can I say…give me one more year, and I will include EXERCISE EVERY DAY. Will that make the difference.. I did exercise, but I could have done MORE. I feel like my WHOLE life has changed with so many sacrifices and I did not see results. I am thinking I have a metabolic weakness for oxidizing weak acids DO I EAT ONLY VEGGIES? PLEASE VIVIAN GIVE ME ADVICE FOR MONDAY!!! THANK you for your time…I feel there is a reason for not doing better, and I just need to understand this so I don’t have to take the damaging meds. Thank YOU!!!!!-
Please don’t worry, Tere! Remember, bones resist fracture because they are flexible, not because they are “too thin.” 🙂
Remember, too, that small variations in DEXA readings could be machine-related (even if you were tested using the same brand of equipment), or could be affected by the amount of lean tissue you may have developed while on the Program (you said you exercised regularly!).
You see, DEXA scanners beam X-rays at the lumbar vertebrae and the hip to measure the shadow cast by the bones. Software in the machine estimates the amount of calcium in the bone based on the darkness of the shadow. This means that DEXA scans are not three-dimensional; they are two-dimensional, like a plain X-ray, so it is very “insensitive.” This two-dimensional reading, therefore, causes errors in the “reading” of actual bone density. And DEXA scans do not measure bone quality; they measure quantity.
Mainstream medicine focuses so much on density because it needs numbers (i.e. fixed parameters) to prescribe drugs, so most doctors follow the same protocol. While density is one indicator of bone metabolism, the main focus of bone health is simply to prevent fractures. Less dense but healthy and renewed bones have better tensile strength and fracture resistance than thicker, denser, older bones.
Take heart! If you are following the Program, your bones are healthier, whether or not that is reflected in the scores! 🙂
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Vivian I am impressed with these comments
Regards
Marg
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TRUEOSTEO
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Oh Vivian….Thank you for this information!!!! This helps me explain to the doctor WHY I am not taking the meds. I ABSOLUTELY feel better than one year ago. I could hardly turn my neck, and my left hip hurt. It no longer hurts..anywhere…that was why I was shocked with the results I will continue the progress reassure..THANK YOU, VIVIAN!!!!!!!
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Hi Tere
I am in the same boat as you and over the years my bone density has steadily declined, which is quite alarming. I have resisted using the bisphosphonates even though the doctor paints horror stories in words.
In January this year I began consulting an acupuncturist who has had quite some success with a number of people and one of whom he has put me in touch with.What I am doing according to his advice is to have an acupuncture treatment on a regular 6 to 8 weekly basis. This opens the meridians in the body and allows it to heal itself. He has also advised me in the morning to take one calcium tablet that also contains horseradish for absorption and to have a cup of hot water containing one teaspoon of gelatine, a teaspoon of honey and a little milk, the amount you’d put in a cup of tea.
I am not due for another bone density scan until April next year but I am keeping positive, following his advice, plus Vivien’s advice and I have a gentle exercise routine laid out by a physiotherapist, which she increases every 8 weeks.
I think in situations like ours, we have to do everything possible to help ourselves.
Trusting your next bone density is positive for you
Kind regards
Marg
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I thought this was very interesting & informative! Thank you sooo much!
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Thank you so very much Vivian, for bringing to our attention about the foods that contain Taurine/B12, including how they help with healthy liver & heart.
Divine love & Blessings be with you alwaysxxxph-Australia -
Good afternoon,
I just returned from my Doctor and was told I need medication for Osteoporosis.
I also have Celiac which makes it difficult to eat certain foods.
Also an x-ray shows I have non obstructing Renal Calculi in my kidneys.
Right now I’m making some decisions as to what I do next. I told her I didn’t want any drugs.
I would appreciate some help with these health concerns.Thanks,
Shirley-
I’m so glad to see you’ve found this site, Shirley! Feel free to peruse all the free information that’s available here – the Search feature will help you hone in on the topics you want to know more about (such as the medication your doctor recommended). The important thing is for you to make your own bone health decisions based on your research. Remember, no one can force you to take any drug you are not comfortable taking! 🙂
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Taurine is also heart protective. I give it to my 13 yr old dog and take it myself. So glad to know it is also good for our bones! Thanks for another great article.
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Jerris, you’ll find taurine in many cat foods, too! Their bodies are not able to manufacture it. 🙂
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Hi Vivian,
What is the best you can recommend foods or supplement for having an excess fatty liver that can be prevented?.
Thank you and looking forward for your advice. -
a question please Are Saskatoon berries acid or alkali ?
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I take a magnesium supplement at night usually just 200 mg depending on what I ate that day, but I use magnesium taurate which says it is bonded to the amino acid taurine. Is this the same taurine you’re talking about?
Diane
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Yes, that would be the same taurine, Diane. 🙂
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I have just started the osteocleanse (loving it and only on day 4). However from next week I want to start the full program step by step. Is there a Taurine supplement that would be beneficial to take and if so do you have any things to look out for when sourcing these?
Thank you in Advance.-
Hello Jaki,
I’m not recommending a particular taurine supplement at this time, since there are many delicious foods that contain plentiful amounts of taurine! And a whole-food approach means you also take in other compounds and nutrients that work synergistically with one another. 🙂
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My husband has poor renal function…probably caused by a bout of septicemia a few years ago and also due to being on a course of Gentamicin recently. Is there something you can recommend to help improve and support his kidneys, please?
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Yasmin, the kidneys are also detoxification organs, so OsteoCleanse is designed to help kidney function as well. 🙂
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A different Shirley than above: Just recently did the Osteo Clense for the first time. Planning ahead is important. I msde sure I had fresl fruits on hand One thing surprised me was the food requirement of an artichke every day, but, no problem, One of my husbands favorite meals is stuffed artichokes and salad, both Italian style. i cooked mine sepaaratly from his with just garlic and olive oil. This is a good time of year for the fresh food.
Thanks for the info on Taurine. Glad to learn there’s some food that helps a seizure disorder. If there are other foods or viamins that help, I would be happy to know of them.-
Dear vivian, thank u so much for ur good work,may God reward u in abundance for being a life saver to so many of us being victimised by this dreaded ailment. Our hopes ar high that soon /sooner we wll all be alright. I hv just ordered ur book but yet to receive it from Amazon.
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Who’s the fool who wrote this garbage?!
Seriously, you can mislead people….
Where is your reference, chocolate is a taurine source?!!!!
Wtf