Taurine, a naturally occurring sulfur-containing amino acid, has attracted significant attention in recent years due to its incredible health benefits. Often used in energy drinks and supplements, taurine has been studied extensively to understand its impact on human physiology.

 

Evidence from both human and animal studies indicates that taurine has beneficial cardiovascular effects, including blood pressure regulation, improved cardiac fitness, and enhanced vascular health. Its mechanisms of action and antioxidant properties make it also an intriguing candidate for potential anti-aging strategies.

 

Taurine plays a crucial role in cardiovascular physiology. Numerous studies have investigated the potential cardioprotective effects of taurine, focusing on its impact on blood pressure, cardiac contractility, and vascular function. It may help reduce blood pressure in individuals with hypertension and improve endothelial function, leading to enhanced vascular health. Its antioxidant properties may also reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis and heart failure!

 

Taurine accounts for ~50% of the total free amino acids in the heart; it has been shown to enhance cardiac contractility and improve heart function in both human and animal models. Notably, in 1985 taurine was approved as treatment for patients with heart failure in Japan.

 

Levels of taurine have been shown to decline as we age, and offsetting this loss with a taurine supplement can delay the development of age-related health problems. Indeed, as shown in a Science paper recently published, when mice received taurine supplements, their lifespans increased by approximately 10% compared to the control group. Mice in the taurine group also seemed healthier, with improvements in muscle endurance and strength. Researchers fed mice between 15 and 30 mg of taurine per day depending on their age. These doses would be equivalent to 3 to 6 g of taurine for an 80-kg body weight, which is within the safe limits according to European Food Safety Authority recommendations.

 

Taurine was also shown to shape the gut microbiota of mice and positively affect the restoration of intestinal homeostasis, suggesting that it could be harnessed to re-establish a normal microenvironment and to treat or prevent gut dysbiosis.

 

Beneficial effects on some hallmarks of aging were observed in Caenorhabditis elegans worms and middle-aged rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta). The taurine-fed worms lived longer and were healthier than the controls. The monkeys had lower body weights, reduced signs of liver damage, and denser bones.

 

What are the other health benefits of Taurine?

 

1 It supports healthy cellular energy levels.

 

2 It protects cells against oxidative stress.

 

3 It supports healthy heart function.

 

4 It helps to promote healthy cognitive function, particularly as you age–specifically when it comes to learning and memory.

 

5 Human studies have found that taurine supports blood pressure levels and overall vascular function.

 

6 It encourages the healthy metabolism of carbohydrates and sugars. Supplementation can support healthy glucose metabolism and insulin secretion.

 

7 It’s really good for your eyes! A deficiency in Taurine negatively impacts the health of the retina. Taurine can help protect the photoreceptor–the cells in the retina that respond to light.

 

8 It protects the kidneys according to animal studies.

 

9 Findings suggest that taurine supplementation might support your exercise capacity. Specifically, it can benefit your VO2 max and time to exhaustion. Taurine is a common ingredient in sports and energy drinks.

 

10 It was found to benefit strength and power training  performance, too. It may also promote healthy muscle mass. This also explains why taurine is a popular choice among aging individuals, who take taurine to fend off age-related muscle changes.

 

11 It promotes faster recovery time after exercise.

 

12 Some people have reported hair regrowth and a reversal of grey hair.