taurine

Taurine is an amino acid that the body produces on its own (made from the amino acid cysteine) and that is also found in foods such as meat, dairy, and seafood. It is involved in normal heart, muscle, and nervous-system function, and it is a common added ingredient in caffeinated "energy drinks." Taurine is also sold on its own as a dietary supplement.

The evidence supporting taurine supplements for any specific health benefit is limited and not well established, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not reviewed or approved taurine for treating, preventing, or curing any condition. Much of the recent interest came from animal research suggesting taurine might affect aging, but NIH researchers reported that taurine levels did not consistently track with aging or health outcomes across people and animals, and there is no solid clinical evidence that taurine supplementation improves health in humans. Marketed uses such as exercise performance, blood sugar, blood pressure, weight, and nerve health are not supported by strong human trials. Treat any claimed benefit as unproven.

There is no established recommended supplement dose for taurine, and because the body normally makes enough on its own, no dietary requirement has been defined. Amounts used in research and added to products vary widely. Because the evidence is limited and meaningful safety concerns exist — especially with stimulant- or alcohol-containing products — talk to a doctor or pharmacist before taking taurine, particularly if you have a health condition or take any medications.

Most serious harms reported have involved high-caffeine and/or alcohol "energy drink" products rather than taurine taken on its own, so the role of taurine itself in these events is unclear. Because of these reports, do not combine taurine-containing products with large amounts of caffeine or with alcohol. Anyone who is pregnant or breastfeeding, has kidney or heart conditions, takes blood-pressure medication, or takes other prescription drugs should consult a clinician before using taurine. This information is educational and is not medical advice.

Published case reports — mostly involving energy drinks that combined taurine with caffeine and/or alcohol — have described serious events including acute kidney (renal) failure, abnormal heart rhythms, heart attack, and death, as well as muscle jerks (myoclonus). These reports do not establish that taurine by itself causes these effects, but they underscore the danger of combining taurine-containing products with stimulants or alcohol. Tolerability of taurine taken alone has not been well characterized in large, controlled studies.

Taurine has been suggested to add to the blood-pressure-lowering effect of antihypertensive medications, so people taking those drugs should be cautious and check with a clinician before combining them. Combining taurine with caffeine and/or alcohol (as in energy drinks) has been linked to severe adverse events and should be avoided. Review all of your medications and supplements with a pharmacist or physician before use.