Taurinate & Glycinate Side Effects

Taurinate and glycinate are natural products used for health benefits. Supplements that contain them can be found in health food stores and vitamin shops. Some common side effects are associated with their use. Any side effects that develop should be addressed by your health care practitioner.

Function

• Taurine is an essential amino acid that is needed for the body to function properly. According to the Mayo Clinic, taurine supports neurological development and helps regulate the level of water and mineral salts in the blood. Glycinate is a health supplement that may help to maintain correct levels of magnesium in the body.

Side Effects

• According to Dr. Ray Sahelian at Raysahelian.com, there were no reported side effects to taurinate use found in the medical literature as of October 2008. According to emedtv.com, there has been one report of encephalopathy and one report of bipolar disorder linked to taurinate supplements. Although uncommon, some side effects of glycinate include nausea, vomiting and mild drowsiness. According to the Physician's Desk Reference at pdronline.com, rare but serious side effects of glycinate include breathing problems, chest pain and a rash or swelling.

Misconceptions

• Many people mistakenly believe that taurine is derived from the semen and urine of bulls. Taurine gets its name from the Latin word taurus, which means bull. The amino acid acquired its name because it was first isolated from ox bile and later on extracted from the semen and bile of bulls. The commercial products available today, such as energy supplements and foods, are formed synthetically and are not derived in any way from bulls.

Potential Benefits

• According to Healingdaily.com, Japanese medical practitioners use taurinate to treat ischemic heart disease, certain heart arrhythmias and hypertension. Studies cited in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition demonstrate that taurinate may help to improve insulin resistance in Type 1 diabetes. According to Allstarhealth.com, glycinate has antispastic properties and helps to prevent cramps and muscle spasms.

Considerations

• There is little medical literature available on any side effects associated with taurinate and glycinate. However, an adverse reaction to supplements or medicines can develop at any time and unfortunately, it cannot be established whether you will experience any unwanted effects until after you have taken the supplements. When taking taurinate and glycinate, watch for any change in your health. Report any possible side effects to your health care practitioner.