tourette syndrome

[Guest Guest_jeanchan]

Hello everyone.

 

Would appreciate your advise - is taurine the same as magnesium taurate?

 

Its quite hard to find magnesium taurate here, so i gave taurine (500mg) to my son instead. Started first dose yesterday before bedtime.

 

This morning, he woke up complaining that his tics (mainly facial tics) are becoming worst and he insisted it must be the taurine.

 

I understand that taurine is good for brain function so I am not sure if it really is the one causing the tic-problem. I recalled yesterday he also took a glass of fresh natural watermelon juice (without adding any sugar). Could it be the watermelon juice which by itself, the sugar content is quite high.

 

Before today, he was quite ok with tics only once in a while a day.

 

Thanks in advance.

jc

[Chemar]

Hi JC

 

Magnesium taurate is magnesium PLUS taurine.

 

if you are supplementing with just taurine, you ALSO need to give calcium/magnesium(in a 2:1 ratio) and zinc WITH it along with B vitamins.

 

Taurine is an amino acid, and these do have strong effects on the brain, but I have always heard that for TS it needs to be given with magnesium.

 

sometimes individuals react to supplements in very different ways and so, once you have added the magnesium (and hopefully the calcium and zinc) if your son still tics more, you may want to withdraw the taurine again and see if the tics reduce.

His system may just not want taurine.

 

HTH

[Claire]

jc

I asked a similar question on another thread! Taurine alone, doesn't have magnesium. What I don't know is whether magnesium taurate has taurine!

 

Different kids react to different supplements.

 

I would take away the taurine for a week, and see how he does. Then add it back in one night (don't tell him which one it is--which might influence him). If he reacts again, I would assume it is the taurine.

 

Claire

[Chemar]

Background

Magnesium Taurate is magnesium bound to the amino acid taurine ensuring optimal absorption.

 

Taurine is one of the sulphur rich group of amino acids. It is the second most prevalent amino acid in human breast milk but is only provided in small amounts in cow’s milk. Women have a requirement for taurine as the female hormone oestrodiol is found to inhibit the synthesis of taurine in the liver. Taurine requirements increase when an individual is under stress and this may be a factor in fluctuating blood sugar and insulin levels.

 

Benefits and Features

Magnesium is needed for cardiovascular health and for the regulation of heart rhythm.

 

Magnesium is required for the proper function of nerves and muscles.

 

Magnesium is important in skeletal structure and is central to energy release.

 

Magnesium is a co-factor in many enzyme systems and hormones.

 

Magnesium Taurate is beneficial as a nutrient to support concentration and memory recall.

 

Taurine is the most prevalent amino acid in heart tissue.

 

Taurine interacts with bile salts and cholesterol to help maintain their solubility.

 

Taurine helps to conserve potassium and calcium in the heart muscle, thereby helping to support cardiovascular function

[Chemar]

I quoted that from a research site.

 

Magnesium Taurate is not just a blend of magnesium and taurine, but a fully reacted combination of the 2 which allows the maximum absorption and activity of both.

 

Bonnie Grimaldi's research has shown that magnesium is the single most important factor needed for people with TS tics, and she found that the magnesium taurate was an added benefit.

 

it used to be hard to get mag taurate but now, in addition to Bonnie's own brand, it is widely available online, including from the Vitamin Shoppe and others.

[Guest Guest_jeanchan]

Thanks Chemar and Claire for your advice. Think I will stop taurine for a week then reintroduce again and see what happens.

 

No wonder I couldnt find magnesium taurate anywhere in the web search.. so it is two different things altogether!

 

Yes Claire - I thought I read from somewhere someone has posted the same enquiry sometime ago but just couldnt remember where.. so I reckon if I ask again I am sure I get faster responses.. Thanks so much!!!

 

I really appreciate it.

 

jc

[Guest Guest_jeanchan]

Hi Chemar and Claire, its jc again.

 

I have checked the multivits/minerals that my son is taking currently, noted it contains 90mg of calcium (as calsium citrate) and 100mg of Magnesium (as magnesium citrate, amino acid chelate and oxide). Zinc (as zine citrate) has 5mg.

 

Hence looking at the amount, dont think this give the ratio 2:1 for calcium and magnesium. But my son is also taking high VitBs combo separately -not able to check the contents now but the amount is quite high - about 50mg each for each B group and my son is taking the high Bs combo twice a day.

 

I came across another brand of Calcium that has 800mg of calcium (as citrate and carbonate) and 400mg magnesium (as citrate, amino acid chelate and oxide). This match the ratio. I will try this first before introducing my son taurine again.

 

Best Regards,

jc

[Claire]

Hi jc,

 

Here is the mag taurate brand I ordered.

 

http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/browse/sku_de...requestid=55303

 

You are right about the ratio. Our doctor doesn't want my 10 year old having more than 250mg/day and he wants it split into 2 doses.

 

I am debating getting the calcium version, e.g. part calcium mag citrate and some just calcium citrate, then the mag taurate separately.

 

Finally, for everyone, since my son started taking the extra mag taurate (250 vs 125), he doesn't seem to need the melatonin at all to fall asleep. It has only been 3-4 days, but I will keep you posted. He was already down to 1/4 mg of melatonin, but this seemed to put him over the next level.

 

Claire