Is a vegan diet healthy

Taurine is a sulfur compound found in various body tissues, including your brain, heart, and kidneys ().

While its bodily function is not entirely clear, it appears to play a role in muscle function, bile salt formation, and antioxidant defenses (, 81, , ).

Taurine is found only in animal-sourced foods, such as fish, seafood, meat, poultry, and dairy products ().

Subsequently, studies have shown that vegans have lower levels of taurine than meat eaters (, ).

Taurine isn’t considered essential in the diet, since your body produces small amounts.

Common vegan deficiencies and symptoms

Still, dietary taurine may play a role in maintaining your body’s taurine levels.

Synthetic taurine supplements are widely available and suitable for vegetarians and vegans.

Summary

Taurine is a sulfur compound that has several functions in your body.

It’s found naturally in only animal-based foods but is also available in synthetic supplement form.

Well-planned vegetarian and vegan diets are very healthy.

Unfortunately, a few nutrients

what do vegans need in their diet

what nutrients might vegetarians/vegans lack in their diet