许多证据表明人、猴和猫合成牛磺酸的能力低,在很大程度上依赖膳食供应。当膳食中长期缺少牛磺酸时会造成机体牛磺酸缺乏,血浆中含量及尿中排出量减低。在猫和猴有视网膜变性、超微结构改变及电生理反应异常。近年来也有关于婴幼儿缺乏牛磺酸引起视网膜功能障碍的报道。目前,有些国家已开始用牛磺酸强化婴儿配方奶制品。 Much evidence suggests that the low ability of humans, monkeys and cats to synthesize taurine is heavily dependent on dietary availability. Long-term lack of dietary taurine when the body can cause a lack of taurine, plasma and urine output decreased. In cats and monkeys have retinal degeneration, ultrastructural changes and electrophysiological abnormalities. In recent years there are also reports of lack of taurine in infants and young children cause retinal dysfunction. At present, some countries have begun to use taurine fortified infant formula.