taurine
n. a sulphur-containing amino acid, found in the tissue of many animals, that plays a role in numerous biological processes such as bile-salt formation, osmoregulation, and fat digestion and that may act as a neuromodulator of neurotransmitters such as glycine, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glutamate, and acetylcholine. Although taurine can be endogenously synthesized in the body (in the pancreas), it must also be obtained from diet (e.g., through foods in which it occurs naturally, such as meat, fish, and eggs). Its deficiency has been associated with various conditions ranging from cardiovascular disease and hypertension to epilepsy, depression, and anxiety. Research into the potential benefits or adverse effects of taurine as a dietary supplement for the treatment of these and other conditions is ongoing but inconclusive.