Dr. William Davis

Cardiologist + Author + Health Crusader

"The food you eat is making you sick and the agencies that are providing you with guidelines on what to eat are giving dangerous advice with devastating health consequences. You can change that today."

Check it out — Dr. Davis newest book, Wheat Belly: Revised & Expanded Edition that condenses all Wheat Belly strategies into one book with new recipes, new success stories, with plenty of other updated material is in stores now! Click to order and learn more.

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Books
  • Detox Course
  • Recipes
  • Success Stories
  • About
  • Media
  • Contact
  • Marketplace
  • Login

Could you have a taurine deficiency?

By Dr. Davis | January 21, 2021 2 Comments

Taurine is an interesting and unique amino acid-like compound that humans are poor at synthesizing. We are thereby reliant on dietary intake of taurine for its broad range of effects.

Taurine, along with glycine, is required for bile to do its job in digesting fats. Bile acids such as cholic acid and chenodeoxycholic acid are produced by the liver, where they are then “conjugated’ with taurine or glycine to form taurocholate, glycocholate, and a number of other bile “salts” that are secreted into the gastrointestinal (GI) tract that then help digest dietary fats. Poor intake of taurine and/or failure to deconjugate bile salts in the small bowel (for recovery of taurine) have been associated with a number of adverse health effects, especially a drop in HDL cholesterol values (that can be profound), ileitis/colitis, while disruptions in bowel flora associated with reduced blood and intestinal levels of taurine have been shown to increase potential for coronary disease, and–incredibly–for intracranial aneurysms.

Increased intestinal levels of taurine have been demonstrated to:

  • Reduce the populations of Proteobacteria in the GI tract–Proteobacteria are largely the species of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, SIBO. Increased taurine also reduces endotoxemia (i.e., serum levels of lipopolysaccharide, LPS).
  • Increase intestinal populations of Lachnospiracea and Ruminococcaceae, beneficial species
  • Improve resistance to infection–an effect mediated via changes in bile acid metabolism and the GI microbiome.
  • Strengthen the integrity of the intestinal barrier–Some probiotic bacterial species, such as some species/strains of Collinsella and L. reuteri, express an enzyme called bile salt hydrolase that, in turn, deconjugates bile salts, releasing free taurine that strengthens the intestinal barrier tight junctions.

I am not arguing that taurine needs to be supplemented, though this has been proven to be a benign agent with a number of modest benefits of supplementation including reduction of blood pressure, improved exercise performance and accelerated recovery after strenuous exercise, and possibly reduced potential for complications of diabetes. But the fact that taurine can only be obtained naturally by consuming animal products (along with vitamin B12, zinc, EPA + DHA, etc.) is yet another argument in favor of Homo sapiens being reliant on consumption of animal products. And, to fully address taurine status, you need to also address bowel flora composition. Emerging science in the microbiome suggests that taurine has a bidirectional effect: it influences the species of microbes inhabiting the GI tract, while microbes influence taurine production (and release from bile salts).

At the very least, we therefore should be mindful of our taurine intake. Here is the taurine content of various animal-sourced foods (from Eilertsen 2012) per 100 gram serving (3.5 ounces):

Beef 36 mg
Chicken, light meat 18 mg
Chicken, dark meat  169 mg
Turkey, light meat.  30 mg
Turkey, dark meat 306 mg
Pork 61 mg
Lamb 45 mg
Veal 40 mg
Cod 120 mg
Salmon 94 mg
Mackerel 78 mg
Scallops 827 mg
Oysters 396 mg
Claims 520 mg

Organ meats, especially heart, are also rich in taurine. The high taurine content of fish and shellfish is especially interesting. Research into the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids, EPA + DHA, have suggested that consumption of fish and shellfish is superior to consumption of fish oil supplements, suggesting that there is something in addition to omega-3 fatty acids that is beneficial. Could it be taurine?

Is there an ideal intake of taurine? And what is the ideal intake after improvements have been made in microbiome composition such as eradication of SIBO? This tangle of questions has not yet been unraveled. But we need to be aware of taurine and its microbiome connection.

Share:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Email

Related

Filed Under: Wheat Belly Lifestyle Tagged With: bowel flora, Inflammation, microbiota, undoctored, wheat belly

Like This Post? Sign Up For Updates — It’s FREE!

Plus receive my latest collection of recipes, Wheatbelly Hearty Entrees!

Enter the Captcha:
Reload

About Dr. Davis

Cardiologist Dr. William Davis is a New York
Times #1 Best Selling author and the Medical Director of the Wheat Belly Lifestyle Institute and the Undoctored Inner Circle program.

Nothing here should be construed as medical advice, but only topics for further discussion with your doctor. I practice cardiology in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Comments & Feedback...

  1. lcanthonyj

    January 21, 2021 at 1:40 pm

    I had my gallbladder removed several years ago to my dismay. If I had known then what I know now, I would have kept my gallbladder and changed my dietary habits.

    Now what should I do?

    Log in to Reply
    • Bob Niland

      January 21, 2021 at 2:27 pm

      lcanthonyj wrote: «… gallbladder removed … Now what should I do?»

      As far as I know, the general advice is still as stated here.

      A couple of things to keep in mind, as I understand the situation:

      •You still make bile,.
      You just can’t save it up to dump all at once.

      •What caused the original problem?
      It may still be at large, and SIBO is likely high on the suspect list. So if you get a reaction to gradually increasing fat intake, it may or may not be about the fat per se.
      ________
      Blog Associate (click for details)

      Log in to Reply

Share Your Comments, Opinions, And Feedback... Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Most Popular Posts

  • Getting started
  • The Wheat Belly Food Pyramid
  • Surviving the opiate withdrawal when stopping wheat
  • List of Wheat Belly safe baking flours and meals
  • Focaccia bread recipe–wheat-free, of course!
  • Follow a full program of bowel flora restoration in the aftermath of wheat
  • I lost the wheat, but didn’t lose the weight – Identifying weight loss blockers
  • I lost the wheat but didn’t lose the weight – Video: Part 1
  • I lost the wheat but didn’t lose the weight – Video: Part 2
  • I lost the wheat but didn’t lose the weight – Video: Part 3
  • Login

Wheat Belly Books By Dr. William Davis

Click To Learn More

The Next Step after Wheat Belly

 Inner Circle Logo

For an expanded Undoctored experience, join our Inner Circle to talk directly to Dr. Davis and other engaged in the program.

Membership Details

Wheat Belly Approved Products

Coconut oil representing a product from the approved products of the Wheat Belly lifestyle.

New: Finally, a place to obtain all Wheat Belly approved products! Dr. Davis has personally reviewed each and every product.

View Here

EXCLUSIVE BONUS RECIPES!

Wheat Belly Hearty Entrees

Eating the Wheat Belly way is rich, varied, and delicious! Get some additional inspiration for wheat/grain-free dinners with these recipes. This will also sign you up for the Wheat Belly newsletter featuring additional, delicious recipes and the latest information about new developments in the Wheat Belly lifestyle! Enter your name and email to get started!
Enter the Captcha:
Reload

Wheat Free Market Wheat Belly Approved

For an expanded Undoctored experience, join our Inner Circle to talk to Dr. Davis and others engaged in the program.

Click To Learn More

 Inner Circle Logo

For an expanded Undoctored experience, join our Inner Circle to talk to Dr. Davis and others engaged in the program.

Click To Learn More

Read the Wheat Belly books and cookbooks:

  • Wheat Belly
  • The Wheat Belly Cookbook
  • The Wheat Belly 30-Minute Cookbook
  • Wheat Belly Total Health
  • Login

Like Wheat Belly? You’ll Love Undoctored!

New to eating wheat- and grain-free and in a rush to lose 30 pounds? Start here:

  • Quick And Dirty
  • My Favorite Grain-Free App
  • Lost The Wheat, But Didn’t Lose The Weight
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Login

About Dr. Davis

Dr. William DavisDr. William Davis is a New York Times #1 best selling author and Medical Director and founder of the Undoctored program, including the Undoctored Health Workplace Program.

Copyright © 2021 Dr. William Davis. All Rights Reserved. | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Books | Media | Contact

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.