By David Liu, PHD

Tuesday Aug 28, 2012 (foodconsumer.org) --A new study in European Journal of Nutrition suggests that taking taurine supplements or 2-aminoethanesulfonic acid may help prevent coronary heart disease or coronary artery disease (CHD).

The study led by  Oktawia P. Wójcik of New York University School of Medicine and colleagues found an inverse association between serum taurine levels and coronary heart disease among women with high total serum cholesterol or hyperglycelemia defined as greater than 250 mg/dL.

This prospective case-control study nested in the New York University Women's Health Study, was considered as the first of its kind to investigate the effect of taurine on coronary heart disease.

For the study, blood samples were taken pre-dignosis from 223 coronary heart disease patients and 223 matched controls for measurement of serum taurine levels.

"serum taurine was positively related to age and dietary intake of poultry, niacin, vitamin B1, fiber and iron, and negatively related to dietary intake of saturated fat," the researchers reported.

No statistically significant association was found between serum taurine levels and risk of coronary heart disease in the overall population.  However, after adjustment for other risk factors, compared to the lowest tertile of taurine intake, the highest and the middle tertile of taurine intake was associated with 15 and 34 percent reduced risk for coronary heart disease, respectively. 

Among women with their serum total cholesterol greater than 250 mg/mL, those whose taurine intake was in the highest tertile were 61 percent less likely to develop coronary heart disease, compared to those whose intake was in the lowest tertile.  But this association was not observed in those with low serum cholesterol.

The researchers say in their report that the data suggests that taurine may lower risk of type 2 diabetes and hypertension.

They concluded "The findings suggest that high levels of taurine may be protective against CHD among individuals with high serum cholesterol levels."

Taurine is known to be involved in bile acid conjugation ,regulation of blood pressure, antioxidation, and anti-inflammation, according to the authors.  Taurine is also known for its support for proper maintenance and functioning of skeletal muscle, and removing fatty liver deposit.

Coronary heart disease (CHD), a major form of heart disease, is a narrowing of small blood vessels that supply blood and oxygen to the heart.  It is believed that fatty material and other substances form a plaque build-up on the inner walls of coronary arteries. The coronary arteries bring blood and oxygen to your heart.

Modifiable risk factors for coronary heart disease include diabetes mellitus, hypertension (high blood pressure), smoking, high cholesterol, chronic kidney disease, overweight or obesity, and physical inactivity, which are what doctors can tell their patients.

Some other factors that are less publicized include anything that can damage the vascular wall that allows the deposition of anything to occur on the inner wall of blood vessels.  For instance, medical radiation on the chest in the case of breast cancer treatment or assumably breast cancer screening with mammography can cause vascular damage and induce coronary heart disease.