Plasma and urine taurine levels in vegans

Abstract

Plasma taurine levels and urinary taurine excretion were measured in 12 strict vegetarian (vegan) males who had maintained a vegan diet for 53 ± 26 mo (SD) and in 14 male nonvegetarian control subjects. Plasma taurine levels differed (45 ± 7 vs 58 ± 16 μmol/L, respectively). Urinary taurine excretion was lower (266 ± 279 vs 903 ± 580 μmol/d), urinary N(π)-methylhistidine was significantly reduced (296 ± 87 vs 427 ± 19 μmol/d) in the vegans. Analysis of 3-d dietary diaries kept by the vegans indicated marginal to adequate intake of protein, carbohydrate, vitamin B-6, methionine, and cystine; inadequate intake of zinc; and negligible intake of taurine. Prolonged absence of dietary taurine intake causes decreased plasma taurine and severely restricted urinary taurine output.