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What are Taurine Benefits?

Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Taurine is an amino acid that is found in body tissues, such as those of the heart and muscles as well as in the blood and in breast milk. It is often found in supplement form as well as in energy drinks. Some people supplement with it because it may offer benefits for the neurological system, help to keep water and minerals balanced in the bloodstream, and may even help to treat or prevent serious health conditions. Some studies show that taurine may even act as an antioxidant in the body.

Many people take taurine supplements or consume energy drinks containing it because taurine is thought to benefit athletic performance. In fact, studies show that physical exertion depletes the amount of taurine in the body. This seems to demonstrate that links between optimal physical performance and taurine exist.

Taurine supplements are often taken to help improve athletic performance.
Taurine supplements are often taken to help improve athletic performance.

Other studies have demonstrated ways that taurine may benefit people with a wide range of conditions. For example, some studies show that taurine may be helpful for treating arrhythmias, which are abnormal heart rhythms. It may also help in the treatment or prevention of congestive heart failure. Studies even show that taurine may be beneficial for people with high cholesterol and high blood pressure.

A person should ask his doctor before mixing taurine with any prescription drugs.
A person should ask his doctor before mixing taurine with any prescription drugs.

Some studies show evidence of taurine benefits for people who have diabetes and hepatitis. Taurine may improve type-one diabetes and decrease insulin resistance. For those with hepatitis, taurine supplementation may help decrease bile acids and bilirubin, which is the brownish-yellow coloring in bile. It may even reduce the occurrence of psychotic episodes in individuals who are experiencing alcohol withdrawal. Some researchers believe the amino acid may also prevent alcoholics from relapsing into alcohol abuse.

There is some evidence that taurine may help treat bipolar disorder.
There is some evidence that taurine may help treat bipolar disorder.

As far as mental taurine benefits are concerned, there is evidence that suggests taurine may be helpful in preventing or treating a number of mental conditions and disorders. For example, it may be helpful for treating those with bipolar disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. It may also help those with autism. On an everyday basis, it may improve a person’s mental performance. As such, it is often combined with caffeine, allowing those who consume the combination to feel more alert and perform better on tasks that require mental concentration.

A taurine deficiency may cause anxiety.
A taurine deficiency may cause anxiety.

Researchers are still studying taurine benefits and effects. As such, it is wise to seek the advice of a doctor before using it as a supplement. Likewise, an individual may do well to ask his doctor before mixing taurine supplementation with prescription drug treatments.

Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a TheHealthBoard writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.

Learn more...
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a TheHealthBoard writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

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I used to like a few things which happened to have taurine in them, but I'm a vegetarian so I stopped consuming them, since the taurine in foods come from animals, usually cattle.

Whether or not there are health benefits of taurine, or bad side effects of taurine, or what, I think people should be better informed about what ingredients in foods and drinks are from animals, and therefore not actually vegetarian.

helene55

@panda2006- I have only heard negative things too, although maybe that's because there are so many other weird things, like ephedrine, in energy supplements as well, and it's not the taurine itself. I try to avoid things like that in general though, because whether they help or not I don't think people need all these supplements, and I'm not sure they do any good. I also think these sorts of products have too much caffeine per serving as well.

panda2006

I have only read about taurine as a bad thing- energy drinks and other supplements that contain it often have bad side effects and can even cause heart conditions themselves. I guess there is just a lot of misinformation about supplements from both positive and negative sides these days.

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    • Taurine supplements are often taken to help improve athletic performance.
      By: compuinfoto
      Taurine supplements are often taken to help improve athletic performance.
    • A person should ask his doctor before mixing taurine with any prescription drugs.
      By: Rob Byron
      A person should ask his doctor before mixing taurine with any prescription drugs.
    • There is some evidence that taurine may help treat bipolar disorder.
      By: LoloStock
      There is some evidence that taurine may help treat bipolar disorder.
    • A taurine deficiency may cause anxiety.
      By: WavebreakMediaMicro
      A taurine deficiency may cause anxiety.
    • Taurine may be helpful for people suffering from high blood pressure.
      By: Africa Studio
      Taurine may be helpful for people suffering from high blood pressure.
    • Research indicates that taurine may benefit children who have attention deficit disorder (ADD).
      By: Ermolaev Alexandr
      Research indicates that taurine may benefit children who have attention deficit disorder (ADD).
    • Research suggests that taurine may play a role in preventing relapse among recovering alcoholics.
      By: ambrozinio
      Research suggests that taurine may play a role in preventing relapse among recovering alcoholics.
    • Taurine may help reduce the occurrence of psychotic episodes.
      By: kmiragaya
      Taurine may help reduce the occurrence of psychotic episodes.
    • Sensory hallucinations may occur during a psychotic episode.
      By: Kirill Kedrinski
      Sensory hallucinations may occur during a psychotic episode.
    • A psychotic episode may occur after a traumatic event.
      By: Oleg_Zabielin
      A psychotic episode may occur after a traumatic event.