There have been widespread anecdotal reports of cluster headaches being aborted by the beverage Red Bull, which contains 1000 mg of taurine per 8 ounce can. More recently, a few individuals have reported improvement in their cluster headaches from taking a taurine supplement 2 or 3 times per day.

Taurine has a wide variety of effects on ion channels and ion transport (including calcium, sodium, chloride, and potassium). It

Taurine is involved in circadian rythms, as are magnesium and melatonin. Under some conditions, taurine stimulates production of N-acetylserotonin and Melatonin by a factor of 40 fold and 25 fold! It is believed that taurine does this by directly stimulating the beta-adrenergenic receptors in the pineal gland.

Taurine also counteracts the effect of glutamate, reducing cell death associated with an overproduction of glutamate and disruption of calcium homeostasis. By increasing the level of Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase (GAD), an enzyme that converts glutamic acid (a stimulating amino acid/neurotransmitter that can trigger CH) into GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter that is not known to trigger or make worse a cluster headache.

Taurine chloramine (Tau-Cl) is a metabolized form of taurine with anti-inflammatory properties. Tau-Cl inhibits lymphocyte proliferation and lowers the production of nitric oxide, Prostaglandin E2, IL-1 beta, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-12. At low levels, Tau-Cl raises Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNF-A) slightly, but at higher levels, it inhibits TNF.

In migraine patients, the levels of taurine in the CSF are elevated; the level is lowered by treatment with divalproex sodium. It is believed that the elevated taurine was a response to pain, not a cause.

The amino acid/neurotransmitter is responsible for ITau - taurine (Tau)-activated Cl- currents.

It has been observed that taurine levels rise in the cerebrospinal fluid in response to heat stress, and suggested that taurine offers some protection against such stress.

The antinociceptive (pain-reducing) effects of Taurine and Glycine are increased by serotonin. In raphe cells, taurine, glycine, and GABA decrease serotonin production, while glutamate/NMDA increases it.

Like lithium and valproic acid, taurine increases the production of bcl-2 protein. This protein is sometimes referred to as a 'survival protein' and it is protective of nerves, mitochondria, etc. Bcl-2 synthesis takes time, and this protein must be elevated before an insult; this suggests that bcl-2 is probably not involved in Red Bull's ability to abort a cluster headaches, but could be an additional preventive effect.

Epilepsy: Low levels of Taurine and Aspartate and high levels of glutamate were 100% successful in identifying people with a particular form of epilepsy (the 3/sec. form). Some research has shown that taurine supplements reduce epilepsy, while other research indicates that taurine can increase epilepsy. Injected taurine made mice more resistant to kainin induced epilepsy, but taurine in the drinking water made them less resistant.

Low HDL may be attributed to low levels of cysteine, which may be converted to taurine under some conditions.

Taurine administration may increase production of somatostatin by the pancreas, although the stimulatory effect seems weak.

Taurine inhibits the secretion of Acetylcholine that is triggered by light, as do GABA and muscimol. Taurine, GABA, and glycine all reduce the activity of Neurokynurenines, molecules associated with stress, anxiety and certain siezures.

Taurine regulates Protein Kinase C (PKC), a metabolic pathway implicated in CH. Regulation of PKC is important in the action of Lithium and Valproic Acid.

Taurine has a beneficial effect on body weight, triglycerides, and the balance of HDL:LDL cholesterol, according to a recent study performed in Japan. Overweight or obese college students were assigned to receive either 3 grams taurine per day or a placebo, and the taurine group show a significant improvement.

CAUTIONS

Taurine should not be taken if you are currently on a prescription for Verapamil or any other calcium channel blocker. Until more is learned, it is wise to assume that Taurine may increase the action of Verapamil, which could slow the heart excessively, causing irregular heart beats and possibly a heart attack. It is also not clear if Taurine would interact with other medicines like Sodium Valproate or Lithium.

Dosage

One sufferer has reported improvement in his cluster headaches from 200 mg capsules of taurine take twice per day. As an over the counter supplement in the United States, common doses are in the range of 1-4 grams per day. Clinical studies for other conditions have used as much as 3-6 grams per day. At retail prices, the capsule form of taurine costs approximately 7 to 15 cents per gram. As a bulk supplement on the internet, taurine powder costs 5 cents per gram.




Injecting taurine or GABA into a rat's hypothalamus reduced body temperature, while aspartic acid and glutamic acid increased temperature.

In cell culture studies, taurine chloramine increased the activity of ERK/MEK metabolic pathways. Lithium and valproic acid, meds used to treat CH, are known to increase ERK/MEK activity.

Taurine is often called an amino acid, but technically is not (it lacks a carboxyl group). Unlike 'true' amino acids, taurine is not incorporated into proteins, although it does appear in a few short-chained peptides.

Ordinarily, Taurine can be synthesized in the body from pyridoxine and cysteine. It is not know how many people have genetic conditions that might lower taurine levels. Taurine levels tend to be higher in infants and children, and lower in adults. Intensive radiation or chemotherapy has been shown to lower taurine levels. Other conditions (stress, diet) may lower taurine in some people.


Other effects of Taurine include:

• Reducing platelet hyperaggregability and coagulation (See Anticoagulants.
• Taurine is lowered in the CSF of patients with schizophrenia.
• Taurine reduces damage to the retina, lens and nerve of the eye in diabetes.
• Taurine and melatonin can protect against kidney damage in the early stages of diabetes, but have little effect on later stages.
• Taurine levels are unchanged in people with depression, but treatment for depression often lowers taurine levels. It is not known if the lowering effect is part of the recovery or an accidental (or toxic) side effect.
• Taurine can protect against many of the toxic effects of the heavy metal cadmium. Taurine supplements increase the excretion of cadmium.
• Chelation therapy plus taurine results in faster elimination of lead from the body.
• Taurine can improve the congnitive performance of rats exposed to lead.
• Taurine and Acetylcholine are important in the function of CO2 receptors and respiration.
• Taurine Inhibits the Angiotensin II system
• Taurine slows or inhibits congestive heart failure.
• Taurine shows some signs of reducing anxiety. In the 'open-arms' test, mice spent more time in open areas after recieving taurine. Mice are naturally afraid of open spaces (and hawks). The anti-anxiety action of taurine was signficantly different than that of diazapam.

Red bull typically costs $1.50 to $2.50 per can, and contains 1000 mg taurine. A taurine supplement is available from Vitacost.com that costs approximately 7 cents per gram: NSI L-Taurine — 850 mg - 180 Caps. Adding a B-vitamin supplement and your own sugar and caffeine (iced Coffee) brings the price of a somewhat comparable home brew to perhaps 25 cents.

• Red Bull is a registered trademark of Red Bull Corporation.