Taurine In Energy Drinks Exacerbates the Production of Cystine Kidney Stones

People with cystinuria need to pay special attention to hidden amino acids in their diets, as [over]ingestion can cause an unbelievable upsurge in the amount of cystine kidney stones produced in just one month. Taurine and l-carnitine are two amino acids commonly found synthetically in energy drinks such as Red Bull, Monster and others.

Just prior to being diagnosed with cystinuria in my 20s, working in an air traffic control environment had led me to a pretty healthy Red Bull addiction. I would usually consume two cans in one shift. Soon after is when I began exploding with kidney stones. It's notable that I did not yet have a Starbucks addiction and was not consuming much dairy. This coffee correlation is important, because the milk and whipped cream in those coffees also created a massive increase in cystine stones a couple years later.

What taurine is, and what it's not:

For years rumors have spread that taurine in energy drinks is either bull semen or urine. While energy drinks use a synthetic version of taurine, it was originally discovered in ox bile [1] and eventually isolated for its helpfulness in providing mental clarity and the energetic boost it gives to patients with certain cardiac diseases. Taurine is classified as a conditional essential amino acid by the FDA.

Why we should avoid taurine like the plague:

Cystinuria in its most basic definition is an amino acid transport disease. Naturally, consuming even the smallest quantities of amino acids from animal sources can lead to a build up of cystine in our kidneys, causing stones. Red Bull, as an example, is supplemented with 1000mg taurine in one serving. Taurine is a derivative of cysteine. Cystine is the oxidation of two cysteine molecules. Knowing this (and suffering the experience firsthand!), it makes sense that drinking energy drinks with these high levels of taurine is just like drinking concentrated cystine! I used to call Red Bull, "Kidney stones in a can," because for us, it's true. Of course taurine is also found in meat as it is a naturally occuring amino acid, and because it affects muscle energy. Livestrong provides a list of foods and their respective taurine levels.

Taurine, and children with cystinuria:

While it is not known if ingested taurine crosses over to infants in the womb, taurine is found in breast milk, naturally, and in very high concentrations (as breast milk is an animal protein). Young babies do not produce taurine on their own. Since humans are born with Cystinuria, there are plenty of reports of babies and toddlers experiencing kidney stones and undergoing painful procedures, possibly unnecessarily due to their diet, whether it comes from mom or a formula. For this reason, breast feeding moms should avoid energy drinks and all amino acid supplements until the baby is weaned.

All baby formulas in the United States contain taurine due to FDA regulations. Since infants cannot produce taurine on their own, this "conditional essential" amino acid is added to help promote brain cell health. While not all infants with cystinuria produce stones right away, or even for several years, if yours is it is important to check your diet for extra taurine if breastfeeding, and seek out a pediatric nephrologist in your area who is familiar with cystinuria's effects on infants. He or she might be able to suggest a formula change or start the infant on medicine to halt cystine coalescence.

More information about Taurine can be found here: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/804080

References:

Scott, G. N. Taurine in Energy Drinks: Backed by Research or Just Bull? http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/804080