Text 1243, 80 rader
Skriven 2006-05-08 18:34:00 av JOAN MACDIARMID (1:123/140)
     Kommentar till en text av DAVE SACERDOTE
Ärende: Aunt Ruth!
==================
 Hi, Dave,

 The things we learn from this great group-mind!

 JM> Apparently we humans and the dogs don't
 JM> need taurine, either because we just don't require it for any of our
 JM> essential proteins, or because we might have metabolic means of making
 JM> our own, which cats do not.

 DS> Taurine is necessary to the health of humans and dogs, but we don't
 DS> usually need supplements because our bodies manufacture it.  Too much
 DS> taurine has been shown to lead to kidney stones and other renal
 DS> problems in dogs.

 I sort of figured it was that we had a biochemical pathway, but
 not being sure, I would not have risked stating so. It surprised
 me to read about it because this is not one of the standard set
 of "essential amino acids" we had to learn about in Org Chem.
 Your mention of renal damage backs up the vegetarian diet of my
 brother's dog post kidney surgery.

 DS> [I mention the effects of excessive taurine because dogs adore
 DS> the taste of most cat foods, but it should not be given to them
 DS> as a regular diet because of the amounts of taurine it contains.]

 Good precaution.

 DS> There are two related amines that dogs require, both of which are
 DS> found naturally in meat: taurine and carnitine; deficiencies of these
 DS> can  lead to dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs.

 DS> In humans, taurine is utilized in the metabolism of fats, bile
 DS> production, and regulation of cholesterol levels.  It is now a
 DS> common addition to "energy drinks" like Red Bull, but I suspect this
 DS> is because the word "taurine" sounds cool and trendy and because it
 DS> is an unregulated substance for which manufacturers may make all sorts
 DS> of factual-sounding statements as long as the fine print contains
 DS> suitably evasive disclaimers.

 Not to mention that "taurine" somehow refers to the taurus, bull. That
 must be the source from which the chemical was first isolated and
 identified. But it would be a logical additive to anything advertised
 under the name Red Bull. I hope overconsumption of taurine additives
 doesn't eventually cause problems in humans. Our usual omnivorous diet
 and backup biochemical pathways probably provide enough for the
 occasional needs.

 Anyway, thanks for the input!

MMMMM----- Recipe via Meal-Master (tm) v8.05

      Title: Hearty Corn Chowder
 Categories: Soups, Vegetables
      Yield: 4 Servings

      1 lg Potato, peeled and diced
      1 md Onion, diced
  2 1/2 c  Water
 15 1/4 oz Can kernel-style corn, drain
     14 oz Can cream-style corn
     12 oz Can unsweetened evap. milk
      4 ea Hot dogs, thinly sliced
      1 T  Butter
           Salt, pepper, smoked paprika
           -to taste

     Heat the potatoes, onions, water, corn and evaporated milk until
  small bubbles just begin to form around the edges of the mixture.
  Reduce heat to a simmer and cook, uncovered, until potatoes are
  tender, about 15 minutes.
     Add hot dogs, cook 5 minutes. Stir in butter and seasonings. Serve
  hot.

  Janice Okun article in the Buffalo News. Typed for you by Joan
  MacDiarmid.

MMMMM
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