Taurine – the Might of the Bull!

Taurine is an organic compound, a sulphuric amino acid, that does not originate from proteins and is primarily found in animal tissues. In the human body, it is present in the highest concentrations in the heart, brain (particularly in the pineal gland and hypothalamus), and the muscular system, where it is mainly stored. To a lesser extent, it is found in the liver, kidneys, adrenal glands, lungs, eyes, and blood. Taurine is synthesized in the human body from two other amino acids - cysteine and methionine. Among the food products that contain taurine, turkey meat, seafood (both invertebrates and fish), seaweed, peas, and lentils can be mentioned. Taurine is also one of the main components of popular energy drinks and can also be found in pet food and powdered milk.

Taurine, as a chemical compound, plays a role in numerous physiological processes in our body. One such process is the binding of bile acids to the liver before their release. As a result, their solubility increases, which means that taurine promotes the emulsion of fats within the digestive tract. Another key role of taurine is its involvement in the process of creatine action, which is a significant transporter of this substance to muscles, thereby increasing the efficiency of its utilization in the body. In this way, taurine contributes to the regeneration of muscle tissue after intense physical exertion. Therefore, it can be inferred that the use of taurine can contribute to muscle tissue development and muscle breakdown inhibition. Moreover, taurine is also active in the central nervous system. Taurine acts as a neurotransmitter and is essential for the normal development of the brain. One of its functions is its effect on GABA(A) receptors, i.e., γ-aminobutyric acid, which causes a decrease in excitability and relaxation of muscles. Taurine is commonly used in sports to support regenerative processes. Apart from the above-mentioned effects, taurine improves cognitive functions and the metabolism of nerve cells. Other benefits of taurine supplementation include: detoxification, stabilization of the cell membrane, transmission of metabolic signals, strengthening of the contraction force of the heart muscle, osmoregulation (maintaining the correct water-electrolyte balance), and protection of the retina from the effects of oxidative stress and toxic compounds.

Taurine supplementation should range in dosage from 0.005 g to 2 g. Nevertheless, it is assumed that the administration of this compound at a dosage of 3 g also does not induce any side effects. Taurine supplements are not recommended for individuals with allergies to the component, bipolar disorder, as well as pregnant and breastfeeding women.

Limited information is available on the long-term intake of taurine, however, some specialists believe that excess amounts of this compound are simply excreted by the kidneys. There are reports that inadequate (excessive) doses of taurine may lead to digestive issues, such as diarrhea, gastrointestinal disorders, and even stomach ulcers.

Information regarding the efficacy and application of taurine in medicine can be found in scientific publications. An example is the literature review prepared by M. Walczewski and J. Marcinkiewicz, published in 2011 and focused on the therapeutic aspect of taurine. The authors confirmed that the utilization of taurine chloramine is effective in treating allergic nosebleeds, side valve inflammation, rheumatoid arthritis, and gum diseases.