Role of arginine, taurine and homocysteine in cardiovascular diseases

Arginine, taurine and homocysteine are amino acids which have been shown to affect the risk factors of cardiovascular diseases in humans. Arginine and taurine may protect against cardiovascular diseases while homocysteine may be a risk factor for them. Both arginine and taurine seem to lower blood p ressure, arginine may also inhibit atherogenesis, and taurine may have anti oxidant properties, However, the evidence of the beneficial effects of argi nine and taurine supplementation from human studies is insufficient. Elevat ed levels of plasma homocysteine may be associated with atherosclerotic and thromboembolic cardiovascular diseases. Supplementation with folic acid se ems to be effective in reducing hyperhomocysteinaemia, but there is an insu fficient number of studies showing that lowering of homocysteine levels wit h vitamin supplementation will reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases. In conclusion, further research is needed to determine the optimal levels f or taurine and arginine in the human diet in order to decrease the risk fac tors for cardiovascular diseases, and to whom supplementation with folic ac id should possibly be recommended to reduce hyperhomocysteinaemia. Even tho ugh the use of arginine and taurine supplements to reduce cardiovascular ri sk factors is an interesting possibility, the reported health-promoting eff ects and the safety of such a supplementation should first: be confirmed.