Important roles of dietary taurine, creatine, carnosine, anserine and 4-hydroxyproline in human nutrition and health

Abstract

Taurine (a sulfur-containing β-amino acid), creatine (a metabolite of arginine, glycine and methionine), carnosine (a dipeptide; β-alanyl-l-histidine), and 4-hydroxyproline (an imino acid; also often referred to as an amino acid) were discovered in cattle, and the discovery of anserine (a methylated product of carnosine; β-alanyl-1-methyl-l-histidine) also originated with cattle. These five nutrients are highly abundant in beef, and have important physiological roles in anti-oxidative and antiinflammatory reactions, as well as neurological, muscular, retinal, immunological and cardiovascular function. Of particular note, taurine, carnosine, anserine, and creatine are absent from plants, and hydroxyproline is negligible in many plant-source foods. Consumption of 30 g dry beef can fully meet daily physiological needs of the healthy 70-kg adult human for taurine and carnosine, and can also provide large amounts of creatine, anserine and 4-hydroxyproline to improve human nutrition and health, including metabolic, retinal, immunological, muscular, cartilage, neurological, and cardiovascular health. The present review provides the public with the much-needed knowledge of nutritionally and physiologically significant amino acids, dipeptides and creatine in animal-source foods (including beef). Dietary taurine, creatine, carnosine, anserine and 4-hydroxyproline are beneficial for preventing and treating obesity, cardiovascular dysfunction, and ageing-related disorders, as well as inhibiting tumorigenesis, improving skin and bone health, ameliorating neurological abnormalities, and promoting well being in infants, children and adults. Furthermore, these nutrients may promote the immunological defense of humans against infections by bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses (including coronavirus) through enhancing the metabolism and functions of monocytes, macrophages, and other cells of the immune system. Red meat (including beef) is a functional food for optimizing human growth, development and health.

Antiviral Functional Foods and Exercise Lifestyle Prevention of Coronavirus

“…In another study it was shown that anserine, beta-alanyl-3-methyl-l-histidine, a dipeptide, replenished the free radical scavenging enzymes SOD (superoxide dismutase) and preserved catalase and GSH cofactors, while preserving cell integrity and homeostasis, together with a haematological increase in red blood cell volume-to-concentration and an attenuated white blood cellelevation following muscular challenge in healthy men [24]. Dietary intake of anserine, carnosine dipeptides, and other animal-based amino acids including taurine, creatine, and 4-hydroxyproline promote the immunological defence of humans against infections by bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses (including coronavirus) through enhancing the metabolism and functions of monocytes, macrophages, and other cells of the immune system [86,87]. Plant-based peptides from soybean have also been shown to modulate cellular immune systems (increased lymphocytes and granulocytes number, increased CD11b(+) cells and CD56(+) natural killer cells), regulate neurotransmitters (decreased adrenaline and increased dopamine), and boost brain function [88].…”

Impossible to go Beyond Beef? A Nutriomics Comparison

“…Creatinine (product of creatine), hydroxyproline (a non-proteinogenic amino acid), anserine (a carnosine metabolite), glucosamine (a saccharide), and cysteamine (an aminothiol) are examples of nutrients only found in beef and appeared as discriminating metabolites within their respective nutrient class (Table 1). These nutrients have important physiological, antiinflammatory, and/or immunomodulatory roles 11,12 and low intakes are associated with cardiovascular, neurocognitive, retinal, hepatic, skeletal muscle, and connective tissue dysfunction 11,12 . For example, creatine and anserine provide neurocognitive protection in older adults 13,14 .…”

“…Cysteamine, a potent antioxidant, also has neuroprotective effects and is a precursor of glutathione-one of the most potent intracellular antioxidants 15 . Squalene has strong anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, and anti-tumor activity 16 , while dietary hydroxyproline and glucosamine stimulate collagen biosynthesis and are important for maintaining the structure and strength of connective tissue and blood vessels 11,17 .…”

“…To illustrate this with an example; anserine (β-alanyl-1-methyl-l-histidine; a methylated product of carnosine) is metabolite that is well-known to occur in beef and other animal meats, but known to be absent in plant samples 11 . Similarly, soy isoflavones such as β-sitosterol and campasterol would normally not be found in grass-fed beef, but were readily detected in all plant-based meat samples (Fig.…”

Dihydropyridine Enhances the Antioxidant Capacities of Lactating Dairy Cows under Heat Stress Condition

“…DHP is widely used as a therapeutic agent for diseases such as myocardial ischemia [ 7 ], hypertension [ 8 ], and renal diseases [ 9 ]. Additionally, DHP has been used as an additive in animal diets due to its antioxidant ability to protect oil, vitamin A, beta-carotene from oxidation [ 10 ]. Meanwhile, DHP can alter the levels of hormones in the serum, which is beneficial for the promotion of the growth of animals, enhancing reproductive ability, and increasing milking capacity.…”