牛磺酸为含硫氨基酸之一,于成人为非必需氨基酸。在婴幼儿由于胱硫醚酶及半胱亚硫酸脱羧酶等活性较低,必须由食物中摄取。因此应视为必需氨基酸。人体各脏器以脑、视网膜、心脏、肝脏以及骨骼肌内浓度较高。新生儿与成人相比脑组织、脑脊液、肝组织中含量较多。母乳中较母血中含量多。牛磺酸与乳儿生长发育有关。母乳喂养儿较牛乳喂养儿血中浓度高。动物试验牛磺酸缺乏之幼猫可见视网膜退化(失明),猴的视网膜退化及发育缓慢等报导。于人 Taurine is one of the sulfur-containing amino acids, non-essential amino acids in adults. In infants and young children due to cystathionine and cystathionine decarboxylase lower activity, must be taken from the food. It should therefore be considered as an essential amino acid. Human organs to the brain, retina, heart, liver and skeletal muscle concentrations higher. Neonates compared with adults, brain tissue, cerebrospinal fluid, liver tissue content. Breast milk more than the content of maternal blood. Taurine and infant growth and development. Breastfeeding children than milk-fed children with high blood concentrations. Animal experiments Taurine deficient kittens show retinal degeneration (blindness), retinal degeneration and slow development of monkeys. In person