Taurine

Other name(s):

2-aminoethane-sulphonic acid

General description

Taurine is an essential amino acid for babies. Adults can make their own taurine, but there are high amounts of it in meat and fish. Normally, enough taurine is made in the human body from cysteine and hypotaurine. Taurine has many functions in the body including working as a neurotransmitter in the brain.

Unproven claims

There may be benefits that haven't yet been proven through research.

Taurine may help congestive heart disease. But the way it works isn't clear. More research is needed. 

Taurine may help control the nervous system. It’s been used to treat anxiety and seizure issues. It’s been used to treat the hyperactivity due to attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD).

It may aid in treating hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis). It may help treat high blood pressure (hypertension). It may help prevent heart rate issues.  

Recommended intake

Amino acids (AAs) are available as single AAs or in AA combinations. They also come as part of multivitamins, proteins, and food supplements. The forms include tablets, fluids, and powders.

By eating enough protein in your diet, you get all of the amino acids you need.

If you don’t consume enough taurine, you may need to take supplements. This may happen during parenteral nutrition. This is because the body can't make enough of it.

Babies who aren’t breastfed may need taurine supplements. This is because their ability to make it isn’t fully developed. Many infant formulas and parenteral nutrition solutions have taurine added to them.  

Side effects, toxicity, and interactions

Using a single amino acid supplement may lead to negative nitrogen balance. This can reduce how well your metabolism works. It can make your kidneys work harder. In children, single amino acid supplements may cause growth problems.

You shouldn't take high doses of single amino acids for long periods of time.

People who are pregnant or breastfeeding shouldn’t use taurine supplements. Breastmilk has high levels of taurine as compared with cow's milk. Taurine is added to infant formula made with cow’s milk.