How is taurine useful?
Taurine has important functions in the heart and brain. It helps support nerve growth. It may also benefit heart failure patients by lowering blood pressure and calming the nervous system. This may help prevent heart failure from getting worse.
Confirmed to be valid
- Heart failure and fluid buildup in the body (congestive heart failure or CHF). Taurine appears to improve heart function, symptoms and exercise capacity in patients with CHF.
- Swelling (inflammation) of the liver (hepatitis). Early research suggests that taking taurine can improve liver function in people with hepatitis.
Highly relevant utility
- Sports performance. Early research suggests that taurine may improve exercise endurance in small amounts. But it's unclear which athletes are most likely to benefit.
- Nausea and vomiting caused by cancer drug treatment. Early research suggests that taurine can improve symptoms of nausea and vomiting in patients receiving anticancer drugs.
- Kidney damage caused by anticancer drugs. Early research suggests that taurine may help prevent kidney and liver damage caused by anticancer drugs.
- Scarring of the liver (cirrhosis). Early research suggests that taurine may improve muscle spasms in people with cirrhosis.
- Cystic fibrosis. Taurine supplements may be used along with conventional treatments to reduce fat in the stool of children with cystic fibrosis. But taking taurine does not appear to improve growth, lung function, or other symptoms of cystic fibrosis.
- Diabetes. Some early research suggests that taurine can improve blood sugar and lipids in people with diabetes. But not all studies agree.
- Muscle soreness caused by exercise. Early research suggests that taking taurine can reduce exercise-related muscle soreness in healthy people who do not exercise regularly.
- Fatigue. Early research suggests that drinking energy drinks containing taurine before driving can reduce driver fatigue.
- Digestive tract infection (H. pylori or H. pylori) that can lead to ulcers. Early research suggests that taking taurine with regular treatment can reduce H. pylori infections and improve ulcer healing.
- High blood pressure. Early research suggests that taurine can lower blood pressure in people with high blood pressure.
- Infant development. Research shows that feeding infants formula containing taurine for up to 12 weeks does not affect their growth or behavior.
- Low levels of healthy red blood cells (anemia) due to iron deficiency. Early research suggests that taking taurine with iron may improve red blood cell counts and iron levels in women who are anemic due to iron deficiency.
- A group of genetic disorders that cause muscle weakness and muscle loss (muscular dystrophy). Early research suggests that taurine can improve muscle relaxation in people with muscular dystrophy.
- Recovery after surgery. Early research shows that taurine does not improve recovery rates or prevent death in older adults recovering from surgery after hip fractures.
- A mental disorder characterized by hallucinations and delusions (psychosis). Early research suggests that taking taurine along with prescription psychosis drugs can reduce some symptoms in young people experiencing psychosis for the first time.
- Tourette syndrome. Early research in children aged 6-16 years with the disease showed that taking taurine with the drug tiapride reduced the severity of convulsions compared to taking tiapride alone.
- An eye disease that causes vision loss in older adults (age-related macular degeneration, or AMD).
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
- Autism.
- Lack of sleep (sleep deprivation).
- Memory and thinking skills (cognitive functions).
- Epilepsy (epilepsy).
- High levels of cholesterol or other fats (lipids) in the blood (hyperlipidemia).
Side effects
When taken orally: Taurine is safe for adults when used in the amounts found in food. Taurine is probably safe for adults when used as medication for up to 3 months.
Special Precautions and Warnings
Pregnancy and Lactation: Taurine is safe and safe when used at the levels found in food. There is not enough reliable information to know whether taurine is safe to use as a medicine during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Stay safe and avoid using.
Children: Taurine is safe for children when used in the amounts found in food. Taurine is probably safe for children when used as medication for up to 4 months.
Interaction between lithium and taurine
Taurine may act like a water pill or "diuretic." Taking taurine may reduce the body's ability to eliminate lithium. This may increase the amount of lithium in your body and cause serious side effects. If you are taking lithium, consult your healthcare provider before using this product. Your lithium dose may need to be changed.
The following doses have been studied in scientific research:
Dose required to achieve health benefits - oral:
- For congestive heart failure (CHF): Take 1.5-6 grams of taurine daily, divided into two to three doses.
- For hepatitis: Take 1.5-4 grams of taurine daily for up to 3 months.
