What Is Taurine?

How It Works

Taurine is manufactured by the body through the synthesis of vitamin C, cysteine, and methionine. In mammals, the synthesis of taurine takes place in the pancreas through a pathway known as the cysteine sulfinic pathway. It can also be manufactured by the body through the transsulfuration pathway. This conditional amino acid crosses the body's blood-brain barrier, and it assists in membrane stabilization and inhibitory neurotransmission. Within cells, taurine functions as a diuretic, preventing excess sodium from entering the cell and keeping magnesium and potassium inside of the cell. The nutrient's ability to regulate the body's use of calcium and potassium has made it a popular supplement for patients who have epilepsy, and it is also being studied for potential use as an osmotic agent in peritoneal dialysis.

Learn about the reported health benefits of taurine next.

Reported Health Benefits

Taurine has numerous reported health benefits, and some of the most powerful effects of this substance have been observed in cardiovascular health. Research suggests patients who have higher levels of taurine tend to have lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels than other individuals, and they also have lower death rates from cardiovascular causes. Studies on diabetes patients demonstrated taking a taurine supplement for fourteen days significantly reduced the stiffness of the arteries, a major risk factor for heart disease. Taurine is believed to minimize the nerve impulses that trigger elevations in blood pressure, and it decreases resistance in the blood vessel walls.

Additional research conducted on overweight patients concluded taking three grams of taurine each day for seven weeks led to reductions in body weight and improvements in markers of heart health. In the area of liver health, supplementation with six grams of taurine daily has been shown to reduce oxidative stress and liver damage. By binding to GABA receptors in the brain, taurine can help calm the nervous system, and the nutrient's role in the regulation of muscle contractions could reduce the number of seizures epilepsy patients may experience. Scientists who specialize in ear health believe the supplement could help treat tinnitus. In fact, one study demonstrated twelve percent of participants who used a taurine supplement were able to eliminate their tinnitus symptoms. Research into these and other potential health benefits of taurine is ongoing.

Get familiar with the potential side effects of taurine now.