Taurine
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Taurine, or 2-aminoethanesulfonic acid, is a natural biochemical produced by many, but not all, animals, and is a major constituent of bile. It is often referred to as an amino acid despite the fact that it does not contain a carboxylic acid group like most amino acids do. It plays an important role in the phase II detoxification of the liver by forming water soluble salts which can be excreted. Chemically, it is one of the few naturally occuring sulfonic acids and it a derivative of cysteine, another amino acid important in liver detoxification.