Taurine, or 2-aminoethanesulfonic acid, is an organic acid. It is a major constituent of bile and can be found in the large intestine and in the tissues of many animals, including humans. Taurine is the most abundant free amino acid in the human body. It has a ubiquitous distribution and accounts for approximately 0.1% of total body weight. Taurine has many fundamental biological roles such as conjugation of bile acids, antioxidation, osmoregulation, membrane stabilization and modulation of calcium signaling. Taurine is essential for cardiovascular function, and development and function of skeletal muscle, the retina and the central nervous system.