Re: Sudden swelling of ankles - Update Please

[Guest guest]

Lillian, You should be able to get it from any health food shop?

http://www.revital.co.uk/Solgar_Taurine

[Guest guest]

Hi Sheila,

I would love to find something which will reduce the swelling to my feet, at present I am not on any diuretics as my doctor doesn't think it necessary.

But below is something I read;

However it appears that taurine has several critical functions and can act similarly to creatine in that it expands the body's cells by helping the muscle cell itself hold more water, thus increasing cell volume.

Whole article;

http://www.exrx.net/Nutrition/Supplements/Taurine.html

Do you think this could mean that feet could possibly swell even more?

All these things that need to be understood and my poor brain is not getting it at all.

I am going to put myself on a trial of natural Taurine which is a> non-protein amino acid to see if that might work better for me than a> synthetic diuretic.

[Guest guest]

Dr Slagle wrote a newsletter on Taurine:

http://www.thewayup.com/newsletters/011500.htm

She is an MD and psychiatrist, and is the author of 'The Way up from Down' which

is a nutritional approach to treating depression - you can download this book

for free from her website.

Taurine seems to be helpful for calming the brain functions, as well as having

different physical effects:

WHAT IS TAURINE?

Taurine is an amino acid which plays a major role in the brain as an

" inhibitory " neurotransmitter & neuromodulator. It is similiar in structure to

the amino acids GABA & L-Glycine, which are also neuroinhibitory. This means it

helps to calm or stabilize an excited brain.

Taurine stabilizes nerve cell membranes thus depressing the firing of brain

cells & dampening the nerve cell action of the excitatory amino acids,

glutamate, aspartate, & quinolinate.

Taurine acts by regulating the sodium & potassium concentration in the cells &

the magnesium level between the cells. This has everything to do with the

electrical activity of the cells & subsequent communication between cells.

By this mechanism, it has anti-anxiety & anti-convulsant activity. It has also

been found useful in some cases of migraine, insomnia, agitation, restlessness,

irritability, alcoholism, obsessions, depression, hypomania/mania.

Dosage is from 500 mg twice daily to a total of 5000 mg daily in 3-4 divided

doses, though I rarely recommend that high a dose. The total ideal body pool of

taurine for adults is 12,000- 18,000 mg.

Since taurine also affects the hypothalamus to help regulate body temperature, a

higher dose can decrease your temperature & give chilliness, so be aware of

that.

Taurine also plays a role in memory & increases the level of a memory

neurotransmitter, acetylcholine, in the brain (in animal studies).

HOW DO YOU GET TAURINE?

Taurine is highly concentrated in animal & fish protein or organ meats. Strict

vegetarians can be at risk for taurine deficiency. Your body can make taurine in

the liver & brain from the amino acids, L-Cysteine, & L-Methionine. Three

enzymes are involved in the conversion, all requiring the pyridoxal-5-phosphate

form of Vitamin B6 for this conversion. A B6 deficiency can thus cause a taurine

deficiency.

Some studies suggest humans are dependent upon dietary taurine to maintain

" adequate " taurine reserves. Females tend toward lower taurine levels than males

as their production pathways don't work as efficiently.

Taurine is closely bound to zinc & manganese so deficiencies of either of these

can interfere with its' utilization. Likewise, zinc & manganese enhance the

effects of taurine.

Taurine is the amino acid present in highest concentration of all amino acids in

the fetal & newborn brain, which is the most dependent upon taurine & the least

able to synthesize it.. The developing infant must derive taurine from the

placenta, the newborn, from breast milk or taurine fortified formula. It is low

in cow's milk. Taurine is essential for proper development of the central

nervous system & the eyes. Nursing mothers especially need taurine as it

stimulates prolactin to promote lactation, which is an interesting twist of

nature, since infants need it so much. ( We could speculate that a mother unable

to lactate may be taurine deficient, among other possibilites, & the infant is

thus protected from receiving taurine deficient breast milk) Premature infants

are especially prone to taurine deficiency.

WHAT ELSE INFLUENCES TAURINE LEVELS?

MSG can decrease taurine. Trauma, surgery, radiation therapy, burns, muscle

diseases, steroid use, intestinal dysfunction with bacterial overgrowth of the

small bowel can all lead to excess loss of taurine in the urine & subsequent

deficiency.

The medications Thorazine (a major tranquilizer) & Chloroquine (an antimalarial)

can reduce taurine levels. Some depressed patients have decreased taurine.

WHAT ELSE DOES TAURINE DO?

EYES: It is in high concentration in the eyes where it has multiple functions to

maintain normal retinal structure & function. Depletion leads to degeneration of

the photoreceptor cells. Degenerative changes in the retinas of taurine

deficient cats & dogs resemble retinitis pigmentosa. Taurine may be helpful in

preventing cataracts. Age related macular degeneration has responded favorably

to " injected " taurine as reported by American Biologics Mexico Hospital.

CARDIOVASCULAR: Taurine is the most abundant amino acid in the heart, a

particularly electrically excitable tissue, as are the brain & eye. Since

taurine participates in electrical stabilization of the cell membranes & the

normal regulation of nerve-muscle interaction, it is useful in heart

irregularities & mitral valve prolapse, acting similarly to a calcium channel

blocker (a class of drugs used in CV Disease) Taurine also helps control high

blood pressure & is useful in congestive heart failure.

DIABETES: Taurine affects carbohydrate metabolism. It potentiates the effect of

insulin, enhances glucose utilization & glycogen (stored glucose) synthesis.

FAT METABOLISM: Taurine reduces cholesterol by forming bile acids which are the

end products of cholesterol breakdown & are the only route for eliminating

cholesterol from the body. This action requires a functioning gall bladder.

Taurine has an inhibitory effect on the formation of cholesterol gall stones. It

is required for efficient fat absorption & solubilization. It is helpful in

states of fat malabsorption such as with cystic fibrosis & other pancreatic

deficiency syndromes.

DETOXIFICATION: Taurine conjugates & detoxifies various internal & external

toxic compounds & may help chemical sensitivities.

ANTIOXIDANT: Taurine plays a major role in protecting cell membranes from

oxidative attack.

STRESS: It can inhibit the release of adrenalin & thus help with anxiety in this

way, as well as protecting from other adverse effects of too much adrenalin.

MISC: Acts as an immune stimulant to increase Natural Killer Cell Activity &

Interleukin 2. Controls cell volume & osmolality. Is involved in the regulation

of iron metabolism. Modulates levels of serum copper.

TAURINE CAN ALSO STIMULATE RELEASE OF STOMACH ACID SO YOU SHOULD AVOID IF YOU

HAVE ULCERS OR GASTRITIS.

[Guest guest]

Hi Nick,

It may be better in some circumstances to just email direct to enquirers....for

obvious reasons; use your discretion.

IP are well known and reliable and in use by many on this forum...see 's

post.

best wishes

Bob

>

> >Who or what is Greater Pharma? Is it a manufacturer or an online pharmacy?

Please explain what you ordered and where you ordered from.

>

> They are a Thailand manufacturer. I bought from an interenet pharmacy

> and it was delivered in a week post free with no VAT to pay on

> arrival.

>

> What's the etiquette for this group, is it OK to post sources? Some

> groups ask people not to?

>

> Nick

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Nick, its just the Doctors names we dont spell out and use ie Dr T or Dr S

just to protect them. Shelia will email to anyone privately if they need dr

details near where they live.

I notice that Bob answered the top of your post, which was a left over of the

one you were replying to - rather than your response, which was below it. I

usually leave a bit of the old post at the bottom and reply on top..........if

that makes any sense.....

I take this opportunity of thanking you for alerting me to the probs with new

armour - I would not have reflected on the experiences that I had been having

without this. - so thanks

You are also my new 'Highest' as using 12 grains of armour, you have beaten my

last known highest at 7grains - wonder if that info shelia posted about VitC

from the Vit C Foundation relating to absorption would benefit you at all -

worth a read

F

>

> They are a Thailand manufacturer. I bought from an interenet pharmacy

> and it was delivered in a week post free with no VAT to pay on

> arrival.

>

> What's the etiquette for this group, is it OK to post sources? Some

> groups ask people not to?

>

> Nick

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Bob

Yes this is interesting.

How can I partake of this experiment myself?

I have vit C

lotsa luv

Dawnx

[Guest guest]

Hi Sheila,

It would probably be best to take it in between meals. It is soluble so you can

mix it into a drink no problem. It is quite grainy, although it does mix fairly

well and it doesnt have much of a taste at all.

Good luck.

Dave.

>

> Oh Chuckle Chuckle Chuck,

>

>

>

> I can't wait to try this. I'm ordering some today. Seriously though, the

> benefits from the use of Taurine do seem excellent. I will also be telling

> my sister about this who has cardiac arrhythmia.

>

>

>

> , as this is powder and you recommend starting with 3 teaspoons morning

> and evening, what do you mix the powder in. Do you make a drink or mix it

> with food?

>

>

>

> Luv - Sheila

>

> Taurine is also one of the main ingredients in energy drinks, such as

> Red Bull.

>

> Chuck

>

>

>

> No virus found in this incoming message.

> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com

> Version: 8.5.339 / Virus Database: 270.12.55/2160 - Release Date: 06/07/09

> 05:53:00

>

[Guest guest]

>

Hi Dave,

It lowers blood pressure and is believed to be protective against

cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure and maybe used as a recovery tool from

heart attacks.

I have very low blood pressure, would this preclude me from taking taurine? I

did not do well on diuretics previously and was in fact quite ill, my GP said to

stop taking them and has not given me anything else since to prevent swelling to

my legs and feet.

I would appreciate your thoughts.

Thanks,

Lynne

[Guest guest]

Hi Sheila,

yes there are a very good company and I have used them with clients for years.

Delivery isnt always as prompt as I would like but the products themselves are

very high quality and thet seem to do a very good range. They have herbal

extracts, amino acids, vitamins, minerals oils and all sorts.

[Guest guest]

Hi Lynne,

Hmm tough one. Considering that taurine is a natural amino acid present in the

diet I suspect that it would probably be o.k, as the effects are certainly not

as harsh as a pharmaceutical. I suppose really it depends what the cause of the

low blood pressure is.

I dont see any reason why you couldnt try a small dose initially, say 2 - 3g

divided by about 6 hours and see what the effects are.

[Guest guest]

Thanks for all the info. I also use 1drugstore-online, though the

hydrocortisone I ordered took a month to arrive (from Cambodia!). Please would

you say where you buy your much cheaper T3?

Miriam

> I ordered from

>

>

http://www.1drugstore-online.com/showprice.asp?name=thyroid & bysearch=ok & Go.x=0 & G\

o.y=0

>

> and it arrived quickly (much quicker than they indicated) with no duty to pay,

since then I have also bought T3 from them though have found a MUCH cheaper

source for T3 that I have ordered from as well.

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I am managing to get 60mcg/day from my GP at the moment, but this will change after my endo appointment on 13th July.

Val

Depends if the GP is willing to go against those lovely'guidance' or guidelines we have been railing about recently! Mine willprescribe a little

[Guest guest]

Thanks, Sheila, I already have all this information. However if someone says,

as Nick did, " I have found a MUCH cheaper source for T3 " then of course I have

to ask where it is in case it is some pharmacy I don't know about.

Miriam

> Generic names for T3 are: Liothyronine, Dispon, Neo-Tiroimade, Ro-Thyronine,

> Tertroxin, Ti-Tre, Thybon, Thyrotardin N, Triyotex, Triiodothyronine

> Injection, Cytomel t3, Liothyronine t3, Tertroxin, Thybon, Thyrotardin N,

> Cytomel, Cynomel, Ti-Tre, Triiodothyronine Injection, Triostat

>

> Cytomel/Cynomel/Tertroxin/Lyothyronine (all T3) also from the following:

[Guest guest]

Hi Sheila,

I assume you mean why will this change rather than why am I getting it on the NHS? The endo was happy for me to take this for a "short" time re the RT3 problem, but he is keen for me to try T4 + T3 as I have never tried just this. I am not sure what I think about this, but at least it would be all free on the NHS. I have a stock of armour but when it is gone it would be nice to not have to pay for it again, but on the other hand I do not want to feel bad through my thyroid - I have felt bad the last 2 days anyway (just bereavement stress hitting me again) and can't cope with anything else at the moment.

With a bit of luck he will agree for me to finish off a 3 month period on T3 only so deferring any decision for now.

Val

Why?Luv - SheilaI am managing to get 60mcg/day from my GP at the moment, but this willchange after my endo appointment on 13th July.Val