Taurine

amino acid

Taurine is an organic acid containing a sulfonyl group and is one of the body’s most abundant amino acids, particularly in the brain, heart, eyes, and muscles. Unlike many amino acids, it is not incorporated into proteins. Instead, it helps maintain cellular hydration and electrolyte balance, which is vital for proper biological functioning across different tissue types. Its primary roles include the synthesis of bile salts necessary for fat digestion and absorption and the regulation of minerals like calcium within cells. As an antioxidant, it helps protect cells from oxidative stress. It also supports immune function and provides anti-inflammatory properties that contribute to overall cellular health and resilience. In the nervous system, taurine functions as a neurotransmitter and neuromodulator, helping to stabilize cell membranes and regulate nerve impulses. This activity contributes to its observed calming effects. It further supports cardiovascular health by maintaining heart muscle function and helping maintain healthy blood pressure, and protecting against various heart conditions.

Natural sources
Meat (beef, pork, chicken)Fish (tuna, cod, salmon)Shellfish (scallops, shrimp, clams)Dairy products (to a lesser extent)Seaweed

No public comparison lists found.

Optimal Dosage
Minimum500 mg
Maximum2000 mg
Safety & Toxicity
3 safety notes
  • Individuals with kidney disease should consult a healthcare professional before taking taurine supplements.
  • Pregnant or breastfeeding women should exercise caution and consult a doctor.
  • High doses, particularly in combination with stimulants like caffeine in energy drinks, may pose risks for individuals with underlying heart conditions or sensitivity to stimulants.
Goals
Anti-Aging
Impact
High effect
Typical dose:500–3000 mg
Recent research highlights taurine as a key regulator of aging. It protects mitochondria from oxidative stress, combats chronic inflammation, and supports function in the brain, heart, and retina. Restoring taurine levels through supplementation has been shown in animal models to extend lifespan and healthspan, making it a promising longevity nutrient.

Study evidence

3 studies

Taurine shows preliminary benefits for some oxidative-stress markers and aspects of physical function in older adults. These findings are relevant to healthy aging, but the supplied human research does not establish that taurine slows biological aging, prevents age-related disease, or extends lifespan.

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Anti-Inflammatory Support
Impact
High effect
Typical dose:500–3000 mg
Taurine protects tissues from oxidative stress, a key driver of inflammation. It has been shown to inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines like TNF-alpha and reduce markers of inflammation, offering broad protective benefits, especially for cardiovascular and neurological health.

Study evidence

12 studies

Taurine supplementation may lower some blood markers of inflammation, particularly C-reactive protein, but effects vary across markers and populations. The available research does not establish consistent relief of inflammatory symptoms or broad protection from inflammatory disease.

View goal
Cardiovascular Support
Impact
High effect
Typical dose:500–3000 mg
Taurine is one of the most abundant amino acids in the heart. It plays a role in regulating calcium levels within heart cells, which is essential for proper contraction and rhythm. It also has antioxidant properties and supports the function of the endothelium, contributing to blood pressure regulation.

Study evidence

24 studies

Taurine supplementation can modestly lower blood pressure and improve some cardiovascular risk markers, particularly in people with elevated blood pressure or metabolic conditions. These findings are encouraging, but they do not establish that Taurine prevents heart attacks, strokes, or other cardiovascular events.

View goal
Detoxification
Impact
High effect
Typical dose:500–2000 mg
Taurine is used in a Phase II conjugation pathway to create bile salts. Healthy bile flow is critical for carrying toxins from the liver into the gut for excretion. Taurine also possesses antioxidant properties, further protecting liver cells.

Study evidence

2 studies

Taurine has limited evidence of improving some liver-injury markers in people with liver disease, but this does not establish a detoxification benefit. Findings from specialized intravenous nutrition also show that restoring taurine levels does not necessarily correct bile-related abnormalities.

View goal
General Health
Impact
High effect
Typical dose:500–3000 mg
Taurine is one of the most abundant amino acids in the body, crucial for stabilizing cell membranes and aiding in the transport of minerals. It supports heart contractility, helps regulate mitochondrial function for better energy production, and protects against oxidative stress, contributing to overall cellular health and longevity.

Study evidence

3 studies

Taurine may improve some blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol measures, but those findings do not establish a broad improvement in general health. Evidence for cognitive or mood benefits is limited, and dietary taurine has not shown a clear association with lower fatty-liver risk.

View goal
Heart Health
Impact
High effect
Typical dose:500–3000 mg
Taurine helps manage the flow of calcium in and out of cardiac cells, which is critical for proper contractions and rhythm. It also has antioxidant properties and can help improve the heart's ability to pump blood, particularly in individuals with congestive heart failure.

Study evidence

25 studies

Taurine can modestly lower blood pressure and may improve some vascular and heart-function measures, particularly in people with elevated risk or existing disease. Results are not uniform, and the available evidence does not establish that supplementation prevents heart attacks, strokes or cardiovascular death.

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Showing 6 of 15 goals

Studies

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Sources

Up to five highest-ranked published examples per goal. Study counts and charts include all published studies for the connection.

  1. Taurine supplementation reduces myeloperoxidase and matrix-metalloproteinase-9 levels and improves the effects of exercise in cognition and physical fitness in older women.
    Chupel MU; Minuzzi LG; Furtado GE; Santos ML; Ferreira JP; Filaire E; Teixeira AM · Amino acids · 2021
    Randomized trial48 participantsAnti-Aging
  2. Taurine as a possible antiaging therapy: A controlled clinical trial on taurine antioxidant activity in women ages 55 to 70.
    Abud GF; De Carvalho FG; Batitucci G; Travieso SG; Bueno Junior CR; Barbosa Junior F; Marchini JS; de Freitas EC · Nutrition (Burbank, Los Angeles County, Calif.) · 2022
    Randomized trial24 participantsAnti-Aging
  3. Association of taurine intake with changes in physical fitness among community-dwelling middle-aged and older Japanese adults: an 8-year longitudinal study.
    Domoto T; Kise K; Oyama Y; Furuya K; Kato Y; Nishita Y; Kozakai R; Otsuka R · Frontiers in nutrition · 2024
    Cohort studyAnti-Aging
  4. Oxidative stress and inflammation in obesity after taurine supplementation: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
    Rosa FT; Freitas EC; Deminice R; Jordão AA; Marchini JS · European journal of nutrition · 2015
    Randomized trial24 participantsAnti-Inflammatory SupportWeight Gain
  5. Effect of taurine supplementation on preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia in pediatrics under mechanical ventilation, a randomized controlled double-blind clinical trial.
    Shirzad-Yazdi N; Shorafa E; Abootalebi SN; Heidari R; Hojabri K; Doostfatemeh M; Masjedi F; Vazin A; Shafiekhani M · Frontiers in pediatrics · 2025
    Randomized trial77 participantsAnti-Inflammatory Support
  6. Effect of taurine in muscle damage markers and inflammatory cytokines in running exercise.
    Wang Y; Xu T; Zhao H; Gu C; Li Z · Frontiers in physiology · 2022
    Non-randomized trial10 participantsAnti-Inflammatory Support
  7. Exercise and taurine in inflammation, cognition, and peripheral markers of blood-brain barrier integrity in older women.
    Chupel MU; Minuzzi LG; Furtado G; Santos ML; Hogervorst E; Filaire E; Teixeira AM · Applied physiology, nutrition, and metabolism = Physiologie appliquee, nutrition et metabolisme · 2018
    Randomized trial48 participantsAnti-Inflammatory Support
  8. Taurine supplementation has anti-atherogenic and anti-inflammatory effects before and after incremental exercise in heart failure.
    Ahmadian M; Roshan VD; Aslani E; Stannard SR · Therapeutic advances in cardiovascular disease · 2017
    Randomized trialAnti-Inflammatory Support
  9. Taurine Supplementation Lowers Blood Pressure and Improves Vascular Function in Prehypertension: Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study.
    Sun Q; Wang B; Li Y; Sun F; Li P; Xia W; Zhou X; Li Q; Wang X; Chen J; Zeng X; Zhao Z; He H; Liu D; Zhu Z · Hypertension (Dallas, Tex. : 1979) · 2016
    Randomized trial120 participantsCardiovascular SupportHeart Health
  10. Taurine ameliorates blood pressure and vascular function in patients with type 2 diabetes: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
    Li Y; Wang Q; Liu Y; Li Q; Xia W; Lin S; Yang Q; Scholze A; Zhao Z; He H; Zhang H; Yan Z; Tepel M; Mu H; Zhu Z; Liu D · iScience · 2025
    Randomized trial165 participantsCardiovascular SupportHeart Health
  11. Taurine reduces the risk for metabolic syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
    Tzang CC; Chi LY; Lin LH; Lin TY; Chang KV; Wu WT; Özçakar L · Nutrition & diabetes · 2024
    Meta-analysis1,024 participants25 studies pooledCardiovascular Support
  12. Effects of Oral Taurine Supplementation on Cardiometabolic Risk Factors: A Meta-analysis and Systematic Review of Randomized Clinical Trials.
    Nie Z; Liu Y; Zhang M; Wu C; Cao Q; Xu J; Zheng Y; Min Z; Zhang W; Han S · Nutrition reviews · 2025
    Meta-analysis34 studies pooledCardiovascular SupportGeneral Health
  13. The effects of taurine supplementation on glycemic control and serum lipid profile in patients with type 2 diabetes: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
    Maleki V; Alizadeh M; Esmaeili F; Mahdavi R · Amino acids · 2021
    Randomized trial45 participantsCardiovascular Support
  14. Dietary amino acid taurine ameliorates liver injury in chronic hepatitis patients.
    Hu YH; Lin CL; Huang YW; Liu PE; Hwang DF · Amino acids · 2008
    Non-randomized trial24 participantsDetoxification
  15. Taurine status and response to intravenous taurine supplementation in adults with short-bowel syndrome undergoing long-term parenteral nutrition: a pilot study.
    Schneider SM; Joly F; Gehrardt MF; Badran AM; Myara A; Thuillier F; Coudray-Lucas C; Cynober L; Trivin F; Messing B · The British journal of nutrition · 2006
    Single-arm trial32 participantsDetoxification
  16. Cognitive Effects of Taurine and Related Sulphur-Containing Amino Acids: A Systematic Review of Human Trials and Considerations for Plant-Based Dietary Transitions.
    Moore JA; Cousins AL; Taylor RMJ; Griffiths AR; Young HA · Foods (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026
    Systematic review244 participants8 studies pooledGeneral Health
  17. Association between habitual dietary taurine intake and the risk of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease: a prospective cohort study.
    Zhang S; Xu X; Wang D; Gu Y; Wu H; Meng G; Zhang Q; Liu L; Borné Y; Niu K; Bai L · Food & function · 2026
    Cohort study16,699 participantsGeneral Health
  18. Seafood diets: hypolipidemic and antiatherogenic effects of taurine and n-3 fatty acids.
    Elvevoll EO; Eilertsen KE; Brox J; Dragnes BT; Falkenberg P; Olsen JO; Kirkhus B; Lamglait A; Østerud B · Atherosclerosis · 2009
    Randomized trial80 participantsHeart Health
  19. The effects of taurine supplementation on obesity, blood pressure and lipid profile: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
    Guan L; Miao P · European journal of pharmacology · 2021
    Meta-analysis12 studies pooledHeart HealthMetabolism Boost
  20. The Effects of Oral Taurine on Resting Blood Pressure in Humans: a Meta-Analysis.
    Waldron M; Patterson SD; Tallent J; Jeffries O · Current hypertension reports · 2019
    Meta-analysis103 participants7 studies pooledHeart Health
  21. Taurine supplementation enhances anaerobic power in elite speed skaters: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study.
    Buzdağlı Y; Eyipınar CD; Öget F; Şıktar E; Forbes SC; Tekin A · Biology of sport · 2023
    Randomized trial30 participantsFitness
  22. The effect of acute taurine ingestion on 3-km running performance in trained middle-distance runners.
    Balshaw TG; Bampouras TM; Barry TJ; Sparks SA · Amino acids · 2013
    Randomized trial8 participantsFitness
  23. Effects of different doses of taurine supplementation on repeated-sprint performance after exhaustive exercise in a high temperature and humidity environment.
    Cheng X; Lin Y; Li Z · Frontiers in nutrition · 2026
    Randomized trial16 participantsFitness
  24. Oral taurine improves critical power and severe-intensity exercise tolerance.
    Waldron M; Patterson SD; Jeffries O · Amino acids · 2020
    Randomized trial12 participantsFitness
  25. Acute taurine supplementation enhances thermoregulation and endurance cycling performance in the heat.
    Page LK; Jeffries O; Waldron M · European journal of sport science · 2019
    Randomized trial11 participantsFitness
  26. Taurine supplementation as a therapeutic strategy for cellular senescence and chronic inflammation in long COVID: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
    Wang K; Ma CH; Khoramjoo M; Kung JY; Oudit GY · BMC infectious diseases · 2026
    Meta-analysis1,030 participants27 studies pooledMetabolism Boost
  27. Effect of Long-Term Taurine Supplementation on the Lipid and Glycaemic Profile in Adults with Overweight or Obesity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
    Sun Q; Wang J; Wang H; Yu H; Wan K; Ma F; Wang R · Nutrients · 2025
    Meta-analysis9 studies pooledMetabolism Boost
  28. Beneficial effects of taurine on serum lipids in overweight or obese non-diabetic subjects.
    Zhang M; Bi LF; Fang JH; Su XL; Da GL; Kuwamori T; Kagamimori S · Amino acids · 2005
    Randomized trial30 participantsMetabolism Boost
  29. Use of skeletal muscle fiber composition to assess relationship between amino acid metabolism and insulin sensitivity.
    Magnusson TE; Blackwood SJ; Tischer D; Strmeň T; Pontén M; Edman S; Horwath O; Apró W; Moberg M; Chorell E; Katz A · European journal of endocrinology · 2025
    Cross-sectional study36 participantsMetabolism Boost
  30. Effect of taurine supplementation on growth and development in preterm or low birth weight infants.
    Verner A; Craig S; McGuire W · The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2008
    Meta-analysis189 participants9 studies pooledWeight Gain
  31. Effects of Taurine Supplementation on Growth in Low Birth Weight Infants: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
    Cao SL; Jiang H; Niu SP; Wang XH; Du S · Indian journal of pediatrics · 2018
    Meta-analysis216 participants9 studies pooledWeight Gain
  32. Taurine and cholesterol supplementation in the term infant: responses of growth and metabolism.
    Rassin DK; Räihä NC; Minoli I; Moro G · JPEN. Journal of parenteral and enteral nutrition · 1990
    Non-randomized trialWeight Gain
  33. Taurine supplementation prevents hyperaminoacidemia in growing term infants fed high-protein cow's milk formula.
    Räihä NC; Fazzolari-Nesci A; Boehm G · Acta paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992) · 1997
    Randomized trialWeight Gain
  34. The gut microbial profile and circulating metabolism are associated with functional constipation in children.
    Ye X; Zhang T; Zhou J; Zhao C; Wu J · Pediatric research · 2026
    Case-control study80 participantsDigestive Health
  35. Protective and therapeutic effectiveness of taurine supplementation plus low calorie diet on metabolic parameters and endothelial markers in patients with diabetes mellitus: a randomized, clinical trial.
    Moludi J; Qaisar SA; Kadhim MM; Ahmadi Y; Davari M · Nutrition & metabolism · 2022
    Randomized trial120 participantsStress Relief
  36. Effects of taurine supplementation on VDT work induced visual stress.
    Zhang M; Bi LF; Ai YD; Yang LP; Wang HB; Liu ZY; Sekine M; Kagamimori S · Amino acids · 2005
    Randomized trial25 participantsStress ReliefVision Support
  37. Taurine supplementation attenuates delayed increase in exercise-induced arterial stiffness.
    Ra SG; Choi Y; Akazawa N; Ohmori H; Maeda S · Applied physiology, nutrition, and metabolism = Physiologie appliquee, nutrition et metabolisme · 2017
    Randomized trial29 participantsStress Relief
  38. Correlations between dietary taurine intake and life stress in Korean college students.
    Sung MJ; Chang KJ · Advances in experimental medicine and biology · 2009
    Observational studyStress Relief
  39. Profiling inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers following taurine supplementation: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of controlled trials.
    Faghfouri AH; Seyyed Shoura SM; Fathollahi P; Shadbad MA; Papi S; Ostadrahimi A; Faghfuri E · European journal of clinical nutrition · 2022
    Meta-analysisStress Relief