Muscle spasms, also known as muscle cramps, are involuntary and painful contractions of the muscle that generally occur in the arms, legs and abdomen. According to Medline Plus, these spasms can be caused by overuse of certain muscle groups as well as dehydration and mineral deficiencies. Taurine, an amino acid that is responsible for the balance of both water and minerals in your body, may play a role in the development of muscle spasms. Check with your doctor if you are experiencing frequent muscle spasms.
The Role of Taurine in Your Body
The amino acid taurine is only found in animal proteins and is absent from plant-based proteins, making it difficult for individuals consuming a low-protein diet to avoid a deficiency. Dr. Michael Lam of the website DrLam.com explains that taurine's primary role in your body is to regulate the minerals potassium and magnesium. Dr. Lam adds that taurine also facilitates the functioning of your kidneys, helping them to process and excrete fluids from your body. Taurine also regulates the constriction of the vascular system, allowing blood vessels and arteries to widen and decreasing the amount of force necessary to pump blood through your body.
Taurine and Muscle Spasms
Taurine helps maintain the balance of magnesium in your body, a mineral that plays a role in the functioning of muscles of your heart and body. A deficiency of taurine, therefore, can cause an imbalance of magnesium and water that can cause symptoms such as muscle spasms. The University of Maryland Medical Center explains that muscle cramping can also be caused by dehydration. A 1994 study published in the "Japanese Journal of Gastro-Enterology" found that individuals with cirrhosis, a scarring of the liver, experienced significant relief from muscle cramping with the administration of supplemental taurine.
Treatment
If you are experiencing muscle spasms due to dehydration or a magnesium imbalance, check with your doctor before using any dietary supplement. Dr. Michael Lam explains that individuals on a low-protein vegetarian diet are at highest risk for inadequate consumption of dietary taurine. Taurine is found in high amounts in animal proteins and particularly, in shellfish. Increasing your consumption of these foods can help to increase your taurine intake without the use of supplements. If, however, you are restricted to consuming a low-protein or vegetarian diet, taurine supplements may help restore magnesium and water balance and decrease the incidence of muscle spasms.
Considerations
Taurine supplementation is generally unnecessary, unless you consume a vegetarian diet or have an underlying health problem such as irritable bowel syndrome. Muscle spasms can be caused by a relatively simple condition such as mild dehydration, or they can indicate a serious illness such as liver disease. Dr. Lam recommends that you take no more than 1 g to 3 g of supplemental taurine daily. At dosages above 5 g daily, he explains, gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea can occur. Consult your physician before using a taurine supplement, because it can cause an unwanted interaction with some medications used to treat hypertension.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Muscle Cramps - Overview
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Magnesium
- Medline Plus: Muscle Cramps
- "Japanese Journal of Gastro-Enterology"; Painful Muscle Cramps in Liver Cirrhosis and Effects of Oral Taurine Administration
- DrLam.com; Taurine; Dr. Michael Lam; 2011
