Diet & Fitness

Taurine is a semi-essential amino acid (one that can be made in the body but not in sufficient quantity) that is especially important to normal heart and brain function. Its cardiovascular benefits may be related to its antioxidant properties, its role in regulating calcium flow across cell membranes, and its ability to relax blood vessels by increasing nitric oxide production.^1,2 In a placebo-controlled trial, 120 subjects with pre-hypertension were given either 1.6 grams of taurine daily or placebo for 12 weeks; those who received taurine had an average 4.6 mmHg greater drop in systolic blood pressure and 3.3 mmHg drop in diastolic blood pressure.³ A meta-analysis pooled data from seven trials with a combined total of 103 participants and concluded taurine can effectively reduce both systolic and diastolic blood pressures by an average of 3 mmHg when used in doses between 1 and 6 grams per day for up to 12 weeks.⁴

 

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.^5,6,7,8 Most doctors suggest taking 2 grams three times per day.

 

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.^9,10 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.

 

Taurine is an amino acid abundantly present in the body that also appears to have an important role in immune cell functions.¹¹ 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.¹²

Taurine is an amino acid that is not used in protein synthesis but serves other functions in the body. Because of its role in cardiovascular and nervous system health, it may be an important nutrient for people with type 1 diabetes.¹³ A small crossover trial with nine young men with type 1 diabetes found, compared to placebo, supplementing with 500 mg taurine three times per day for two weeks reduced arterial stiffness and increased the blood vessel dilation response to higher blood flow, indicating taurine improved their vascular function.¹⁴ Findings from animal studies suggest taurine supplementation may improve heart and blood vessel dysfunction associated with type 1 diabetes.^15,16 Evidence from laboratory studies also suggests taurine may prevent or reverse damage to insulin-producing pancreatic cells.¹⁷ Taurine also reduced diabetes-related penile muscle scarring and erectile dysfunction in a rat model of type 1 diabetes.^18,19

Taurine is an amino acid that affects glucose and lipid metabolism by acting as an antioxidant and participating in regulation of insulin secretion and action.²⁰ Low taurine levels have been linked to type 2 diabetes and other metabolic disorders, and animal studies suggest taurine supplementation may protect against diabetes complications.^21,22 Few studies of taurine supplementation in people with type 2 diabetes have been performed, and these have yielded mixed results; one clinical trial indicated the effects of taurine on metabolism may be determined partly by genetics.²³

 

Taurine has been shown, in a double-blind study, to improve the response to iron therapy in young women with iron-deficiency anemia.²⁴ 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.

 

Taurine has been shown, in a double-blind study, to improve the response to iron therapy in young women with iron-deficiency anemia.²⁵ 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.