Taurine

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Taurine

Uses

Taurine

Taurine is an amino acid-like compound and a component of bile acids, which are used to help absorb fats and fat-soluble vitamins. Taurine also helps regulate the heart beat, maintain cell membrane stability, and prevent brain cell over-activity.

What Are "Star" Ratings?

a7_3star   Reliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit.

a7_2star   Contradictory, insufficient, or preliminary studies suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit.

a7_1star   For an herb, supported by traditional use but minimal or no scientific evidence. For a supplement, little scientific support.

Our proprietary “Star-Rating” system was developed to help you easily understand the amount of scientific support behind each supplement in relation to a specific health condition. While there is no way to predict whether a vitamin, mineral, or herb will successfully treat or prevent associated health conditions, our unique ratings tell you how well these supplements are understood by the medical community, and whether studies have found them to be effective for other people.

For over a decade, our team has combed through thousands of research articles published in reputable journals. To help you make educated decisions, and to better understand controversial or confusing supplements, our medical experts have digested the science into these three easy-to-follow ratings. We hope this provides you with a helpful resource to make informed decisions towards your health and well-being.

This supplement has been used in connection with the following health conditions:


Used for Amount Why
Congestive Heart Failure
 2 grams three times per day with a doctor's supervision 3 stars   Taurine, an amino acid, helps increase the force and effectiveness of heart muscle contractions.

3 stars  Congestive Heart Failure

2 grams three times per day with a doctor's supervision

Taurine , an amino acid, helps increase the force and effectiveness of heart-muscle contractions. Research (some double-blind) has shown that taurine helps people with CHF.1 , 2 , 3 , 4 Most doctors suggest taking 2 grams three times per day.

Used for Amount Why
Cystic Fibrosis
 30 mg per 2.2 lbs (1 kg) of body weight daily 2 stars   Taurine is an amino acid and a component of bile acids, which are important for proper fat digestion. Supplementing with taurine may help improve fat digestion.

2 stars  Cystic Fibrosis

30 mg per 2.2 lbs (1 kg) of body weight daily

Taurine is an amino acid and a component of bile acids, which are important for proper fat digestion. Some,5 , 6 but not all,7 investigators have reported improvement in fat digestion among people with CF when they supplemented with 30 mg taurine per 2.2 pounds of body weight daily. Greater improvement was seen in people with the worst maldigestion.8

Used for Amount Why
Iron-Deficiency Anemia
 1,000 mg daily 2 stars   Taurine has been shown to improve the response to iron therapy in young women with iron-deficiency anemia.

2 stars  Iron-Deficiency Anemia

1,000 mg daily

Taurine has been shown, in a double-blind study, to improve the response to iron therapy in young women with iron-deficiency anemia.9 The amount of taurine used was 1,000 mg per day for 20 weeks, given in addition to iron therapy, but at a different time of the day. The mechanism by which taurine improves iron utilization is not known.

Used for Amount Why
Pre- and Post-Surgery Health
 Take at least 1.5 grams daily before and after surgery 2 stars   Taurine is an amino acid that appears to have an important role in immune cell functions. Supplementing with it may reduce inflammation.

2 stars  Pre- and Post-Surgery Health

Take at least 1.5 grams daily before and after surgery

Taurine is an amino acid abundantly present in the body that also appears to have an important role in immune cell functions.10 A preliminary trial found that patients receiving an oral formula enriched with taurine (1 gram per liter) beginning two days before surgery and continuing until five days after surgery had less inflammation after surgery compared with those receiving a standard formula.11

Used for Amount Why
Cardiomyopathy
 Refer to label instructions 1 star   Taurine has been shown in preliminary studies to be beneficial for cardiomyopathy.

1 star  Cardiomyopathy

Several veterinary studies have demonstrated benefits from supplementation with taurine, another amino acid, in animals with cardiomyopathy. Most of these studies showed taurine deficiency to be a cause of cardiomyopathy. Taurine supplementation in animals with DCM has resulted in improvement of symptoms and survival rates.12 , 13 However, clinical studies in humans are lacking; thus, despite a good safety record, the benefits of taurine supplementation in people with any form of cardiomyopathy remain speculative. When taurine supplements are used by doctors to treat people with other conditions, 2 grams taken three times per day for a total of 6 grams per day is often recommended.

Used for Amount Why
Epilepsy
 Refer to label instructions 1 star   Taurine, an amino acid that is thought to play a role in the brain’s electrical activity, appears to temporarily reduce epileptic seizures in some people.

1 star  Epilepsy

Taurine is an amino acid that is thought to play a role in the electrical activity of the brain; deficits of taurine in the brain have been associated with some types of epilepsy. However, while some short-term studies have suggested that taurine supplementation may reduce epileptic seizures in some people, the effect appears to be only temporary.14

Used for Amount Why
Hypertension
 Refer to label instructions 1 star   Research has found that supplementing with taurine lowers blood pressure in people, possibly by reducing levels of the hormone epinephrine (adrenaline).

1 star  Hypertension

A deficiency of the amino acid taurine, is thought by some researchers to play an important role in elevating blood pressure in people with hypertension.15 Limited research has found that supplementation with taurine lowers blood pressure in animals16 and in people (at 6 grams per day),17 possibly by reducing levels of the hormone epinephrine (adrenaline).

Used for Amount Why
Type 1 Diabetes
 Refer to label instructions 1 star   People with type 1 diabetes tend to have low taurine levels, a condition that increases the risk of heart disease. Supplementing with taurine may restore levels.

1 star  Type 1 Diabetes

Taurine is an amino acid found in protein-rich food. People with type 1 diabetes have been reported to have low blood taurine levels, a condition that increases the risk of heart disease by altering blood viscosity. Supplementing with taurine (1.5 grams per day) has restored blood taurine to normal levels and corrected the problem of blood viscosity within three months.18

Used for Amount Why
Type 2 Diabetes
 Refer to label instructions 1 star   Supplementing with taurine may affect insulin secretion and action, and may help protect the eyes and nerves from diabetic complications.

1 star  Type 2 Diabetes

Animal studies have shown that supplementing with taurine, an amino acid found in protein-rich food, may affect insulin secretion and action, and may have potential in protecting the eyes and nerves from diabetic complications.19 However, a double-blind trial found no effect on insulin secretion or sensitivity when men with high risk for developing diabetes were given 1.5 grams per day of taurine for eight weeks.20 In another double-blind trial, taurine supplementation (2 grams per day for 12 months) failed to improve kidney complications associated with type 2 diabetes.21

How It Works

How to Use It

For the treatment of various medical conditions, doctors typically recommend 1.5 grams to as much as 6 grams or more per day.

Where to Find It

Taurine is found mostly in meat and fish. Except for infants, the human body is able to make taurine from cysteine—another amino acid.

Possible Deficiencies

Most people, including vegans (vegetarians who eat no dairy or eggs), do not need taurine supplements. While infants require taurine, the amount in either human milk or formula is adequate. People with diabetes have been reported to have lower blood levels of taurine than non-diabetics.22

Interactions

Interactions with Supplements, Foods, & Other Compounds

At the time of writing, there were no well-known interactions with this supplement.

Interactions with Medicines

Certain medicines interact with this supplement.

May Be Beneficial: Some medicines may increase the need for this supplement.
Avoid: Some medicines interact with this supplement, so they should not be taken together.
Check: Some interactions between this supplement and certain medicines require more explanation. Click the link to see details.

Note: The following list only includes the generic or class name of a medicine. To find a specific brand name, use the Medicines Index.

May Be Beneficial: Bicalutamide
May Be Beneficial: Busulfan
May Be Beneficial: Capecitabine
May Be Beneficial: Carboplatin
May Be Beneficial: Carmustine
May Be Beneficial: Chlorambucil
May Be Beneficial: Cisplatin
May Be Beneficial: Cladribine
May Be Beneficial: Cytarabine
May Be Beneficial: Docetaxel
May Be Beneficial: Erlotinib
May Be Beneficial: Etoposide
May Be Beneficial: Floxuridine
May Be Beneficial: Fludarabine
May Be Beneficial: Fluorouracil
May Be Beneficial: Hydroxyurea
May Be Beneficial: Ifosfamide
May Be Beneficial: Irinotecan
May Be Beneficial: Lomustine
May Be Beneficial: Mechlorethamine
May Be Beneficial: Melphalan
May Be Beneficial: Mercaptopurine
May Be Beneficial: Methotrexate
May Be Beneficial: Paclitaxel
May Be Beneficial: Polifeprosan 20 with Carmustine
May Be Beneficial: Streptozocin
May Be Beneficial: Thioguanine
May Be Beneficial: Thiotepa
May Be Beneficial: Uracil Mustard
May Be Beneficial: Vinblastine
May Be Beneficial: Vincristine

Side Effects

Side Effects

At the time of writing, there were no well-known side effects caused by this supplement.

References

1. Azuma J, Sawamura A, Awata N, et al. Double-blind randomized crossover trial of taurine in congestive heart failure. Curr Ther Res 1983;34(4):543–57.

2. Azuma J, Hasegawa H, Sawamura N, et al. Taurine for treatment of congestive heart failure. Int J Cardiol 1982;2:303–4.

3. Azuma J, Hasegawa H, Sawamura A, et al. Therapy of congestive heart failure with orally administered taurine. Clin Ther 1983;5(4):398–408.

4. Azuma J, Takihara K, Awata N, et al. Taurine and failing heart: experimental and clinical aspects. Prog Clin Biol Res 1985;179:195–213.

5. Darling PB, Lepage G, Leroy C, et al. Effect of taurine supplements on fat absorption in cystic fibrosis. Pediatr Res 1985;19:578–82.

6. Belli DC, Levy E, Darling PB, et al. Taurine improves the absorption of a fat meal in patients with cystic fibrosis. Pediatrics 1987;80:517–23.

7. Thompson GN, Robb TA, Davidson GP. Taurine supplementation, fat absorption, and growth in cystic fibrosis. J Pediatr 1987;111:501–6.

8. Darling PB, Lepage G, Leroy C, et al. Effect of taurine supplements on fat absorption in cystic fibrosis. Pediatr Res 1985;19:578–82.

9. Sirdah MM, El-Agouza IMA, Abu Shahla ANK. Possible ameliorative effect of taurine in the treatment of iron-deficiency anaemia in female university students of Gaza, Palestine. Eur J Haematol 2002;69:236–2.

10. Redmond HP, Stapleton PP, Neary P, Bouchier-Hayes D. Immunonutrition: the role of taurine. Nutrition 1998;14:599–604 [review].

11. O’Flaherty L, Bouchier-Hayes DJ. Immunonutrition and surgical practice. Proc Nutr Soc 1999;58:831–7 [review].

12. Kittleson MD, Keene B, Pion PD, Loyer CG. Results of the multicenter spaniel trial (MUST): taurine- and carnitine-responsive dilated cardiomyopathy in American cocker spaniels with decreased plasma taurine concentration. J Vet Intern Med 1997;11:204–11.

13. Pion PD, Kittleson MD, Thomas WP, et al. Response of cats with dilated cardiomyopathy to taurine supplementation. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1992;201:275–84.

14. Durelli L, Mutani R. The current status of taurine in epilepsy. Clin Neuropharmacol 1983;6:37–48.

15. Kohashi N, Katori R. Decrease of urinary taurine in essential hypertension. Jpn Heart J 1983;24:91–102.

16. Abe M, Shibata K, Matsuda T, Furukawa T. Inhibition of hypertension and salt intake by oral taurine treatment in hypertensive rats. Hypertension 1987;10:383–9.

17. Fujita T, Ando K, Noda H, et al. Effects of increased adrenomedullary activity and taurine in young patients with borderline hypertension. Circulation 1987;75:525–32.

18. Franconi F, Bennardini F, Mattana A, et al. Plasma and platelet taurine are reduced in subjects with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus: effects of taurine supplementation. Am J Clin Nutr 1995;61:1115–9.

19. Franconi F, Di Leo MA, Bennardini F, Ghirlanda G. Is taurine beneficial in reducing risk factors for diabetes mellitus? Neurochem Res 2004;29:143–50 [review].

20. Brons C, Spohr C, Storgaard H, et al. Effect of taurine treatment on insulin secretion and action, and on serum lipid levels in overweight men with a genetic predisposition for type II diabetes mellitus. Eur J Clin Nutr 2004;58:1239-47.

21. Nakamura T, Ushiyama C, Suzuki S, et al. Effects of taurine and vitamin E on microalbuminuria, plasma metalloproteinase-9, and serum type IV collagen concentrations in patients with diabetic nephropathy. Nephron 1999;83:361–2.

22. Franconi F, Bennardini F, Mattana A, et al. Plasma and platelet taurine are reduced in subjects with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus: effects of taurine supplementation. Am J Clin Nutr 1995;61:1115–9.

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