What does taurine do for you

In fact, studies have found that in some cases, taurine can reverse the biochemical processes behind hearing loss. Much of the damage to hearing occurs not in the mechanical parts of the ear, but rather in the nerve cells that convert sound waves into the electrical energy that is perceived in our brains.

Taurine helps restore and control normal calcium ion flow in auditory cells. Taurine improves the hearing ability in animals exposed to drugs like the antibiotic gentamicin, which is notoriously toxic to hearing.

While there are many types and many causes of epilepsy seizures , a disruption in the function of excitable brain tissue underlies all of them. Animal studies reveal that taurine depletion makes seizures more likely, while supplementation with taurine is capable of preventing seizures induced by a number of drugs and chemical toxins.

Energy drinks such as Red Bull, Monster, and others have been getting a lot of press recently, most of it unfavorable. Because taurine is a major ingredient in these drinks, some readers may be concerned that taurine might be contributing to these ill effects. It has been well-established that the high caffeine content in energy drinks ranging from 80 milligrams , the amount in a strong cup of coffee, to milligrams per serving is to blame for the health problems associated with the drink.

Side effects of energy drinks are the same as those of caffeine intoxication, and include nervousness, jitteriness, seizures, cardiac arrhythmias, and rarely death. Taurine alone offers many of the advantages attributed to energy drinks, such as improved exercise performance. Increasing evidence suggests that taurine may help treat the most common cause of liver disease in the US, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease or NAFLD. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease occurs when too much fat accumulates in the liver, and it can be caused by insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome.

Over time, the end result is the loss of liver function, leading to liver cirrhosis. The human liver is our master detoxifying organ, screening our blood flow many times over each day for substances that can damage our bodies. Studies show that taurine defends liver cells against free radicals and toxins, helping to reduce the severity of oxidative stress-induced liver injury.

Human studies reveal the impact of taurine on liver disease. When 24 patients with chronic hepatitis took 2 grams of taurine 3 times daily for 3 months, serum markers of liver damage, as well as markers of oxidative stress, decreased significantly, as did their elevated levels of cholesterol and triglycerides.

Taurine occurs naturally in food, especially in seafood and meat. The mean daily intake from omnivore diets was determined to be around 58 mg range of 9 to mg. Successful clinical studies with taurine have used daily doses of 1, to 3, mg. Taurine is made by the body from the metabolism of the amino acid cysteine. Taurine is not abundant in most plant foods. Strong evidence suggests that groups with the longest life spans consume higher amounts of taurine than those of us in the rest of the world.

Taurine supplementation can mitigate the damaging effects of fat, glucose, and excess insulin. Taurine strengthens and protects heart muscle cells and the system of blood vessels that supplies blood throughout the body, helping to protect against atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and strokes. And taurine protects vision and hearing. It can prevent and alleviate seizures, and it has been shown to treat the most common cause of liver disease in the United States.

With epidemiological evidence that it contributes to the longevity of famously long-lived groups, taurine belongs on the short-list of supplements necessary for maintaining optimal health in the face of aging. Long-term supplementing decreased fasting blood sugar levels in diabetic rats — without any changes in diet or exercise Fasting blood sugar levels are very important for health, as high levels are a key factor in type 2 diabetes and many other chronic diseases 20 , Some animal research suggests that an increased intake of taurine could help prevent type 2 diabetes by reducing blood sugar levels and insulin resistance 22 , Interestingly, people with diabetes tend to have lower levels of taurine — another indicator that it may play a role in this disease Taurine may benefit people with diabetes, potentially lowering blood sugar levels and improving various risk factors for heart disease.

However, further studies are needed before any claims can be made. Taurine may help reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease. Research shows a link between higher taurine levels and significantly lower rates of death from heart disease, as well as reduced cholesterol and blood pressure 8. Taurine may help reduce high blood pressure by decreasing the resistance to blood flow in your blood vessel walls. It may also minimize nerve impulses in your brain that increase blood pressure 25 , 26 , In a two-week study in people with diabetes, taurine supplements significantly reduced artery stiffness — potentially making it easier for the heart to pump blood around the body In another study in overweight people, 3 grams of taurine per day for seven weeks reduced body weight and improved several heart disease risk factors Additionally, supplementing has been found to reduce inflammation and artery thickening.

When combined, these effects may drastically reduce your risk of heart disease 8 , 26 , Taurine may reduce your risk of heart disease by improving several key risk factors, such as cholesterol and blood pressure. Taurine may also have benefits for athletic performance. In mice, it reduced fatigue and muscle damage during a workout 30 , 31 , 32 , In human studies, taurine has been shown to remove waste products that lead to fatigue and cause muscle burn.

It also protects muscles from cell damage and oxidative stress 4 , 34 , Human studies indicate that trained athletes who supplement with taurine experience improved exercise performance. Cyclists and runners have been able to cover longer distances with less fatigue 4 , Participants placed on a muscle-damaging weightlifting routine experienced fewer markers of damage and less muscle soreness 37 , In cyclists, supplementing with 1. Taurine plays several important roles in your muscles and may aid various aspects of exercise performance by reducing fatigue, increasing fat burning and decreasing muscle damage.

It may improve various other functions in your body, such as eyesight and hearing in certain populations 39 , Taurine is also present in large quantities in your eyes, with research showing that eye problems may occur when these levels start to decline.

Increased concentrations are believed to optimize eyesight and eye health 42 , 43 , Because it helps regulate muscle contractions, taurine may reduce seizures and help treat conditions such as epilepsy 45 , 46 , Finally, it can protect liver cells against free radical and toxin damage.

In one study, 2 grams of taurine taken three times per day reduced markers of liver damage while decreasing oxidative stress 48 , Taurine has a wide range of potential health benefits, from reduced seizures to improved eyesight. According to the best available evidence, taurine has no negative side effects when used in the recommended amounts While there have been no direct issues from taurine supplements, athlete deaths in Europe have been linked to energy drinks containing taurine and caffeine.

This has led several countries to ban or limit the sale of taurine However, these deaths may have been caused by the large doses of caffeine or some other substances the athletes were taking. As with most amino-acid-based supplements, issues could potentially arise in people with kidney problems 51 , It helps to ensure proper muscle function and protects against muscle damage. According to a review , taurine could also play an important role in the treatment of neuromuscular disorders, such as muscular dystrophy.

However, there is a need for more research in this area. Taurine may have a protective effect on the brain. As a review posted to Brain Defects Research notes, taurine supplementation works to promote healthy long-term memory storage. According to the review, the amount of taurine in the brain decreases with age. Taurine supplementation may help to maintain these levels across the lifespan. Some scientists believe that this could fend off certain age-related neurodegenerative conditions.

Some mice received the 6-week taurine supplementation, while some received a placebo. Mice that received the taurine showed improvements in Alzheimer-like learning and memory deficits. Further research is necessary to determine whether these same benefits apply to humans. According to the review in Brain Defects Research , taurine imbalance also seems to play a role in epilepsy , autism , particularly in people who have experienced a brain injury.

Animal studies have consistently shown that taurine helps alleviate symptoms of neurotoxicity and neurological impairment in rodents. However, there is currently insufficient evidence to confirm whether taurine helps to protect against specific neurological conditions in humans.

Though there is limited research in the area, taurine may boost exercise performance in some people. A study investigated whether taurine supplementation would improve exercise performance in trained runners.

Eight male runners took part in the study, which involved a 3km time trial on two separate occasions. Each participant took a taurine supplement on one occasion, and a placebo pill on the other. Time trial performances were significantly better after taking taurine compared to placebo.

Overall, the runners in the taurine condition saw a 1. However, taurine ingestion did not significantly affect heart rate, oxygen uptake, or concentrations of lactic acid in the blood. As such, it is still not clear how taurine improves exercise performance. A animal study investigated the effects of taurine on glucose and fat metabolism in diabetic rats. Rats that were fed a taurine-supplemented diet for 12 weeks showed the following improvements compared to rats that received the placebo:.

However, further research is necessary to determine whether taurine provides the same benefits in humans with diabetes. In general, energy drinks that contain taurine also tend to contain high amounts of sugar. A diet that is high in sugar is damaging to health. Most energy drinks also contain a large dose of caffeine.

As such, excessive consumption of energy drinks can result in caffeine intoxication CI. This can result in the following:. Energy drinks also tend to combine caffeine with other supplements, many of which have no known safety profile. According to a review , the adverse health effects of energy drinks may be particularly severe in teenagers and young adults.