Taurine
My Stack

I. Abstract

Taurine is a sulfur-containing amino acid that plays crucial roles in cardiovascular function, development of skeletal muscle, and central nervous system regulation. Unlike typical amino acids, taurine is not incorporated into proteins but exists as a free amino acid in tissues.

Research indicates significant implications for longevity, metabolic health, and neuroprotection. Endogenous synthesis occurs primarily in the liver from cysteine, though dietary intake remains essential for optimal tissue concentrations.

Clinical Summary

Primary Efficacy
  • — Reduces systolic and diastolic blood pressure through vascular tone and sympathetic activity modulation.
  • — Protects neurons from excitotoxicity and oxidative stress through multiple pathways.
Studied Dose Context
General health
500mg - 2g Daily With meals
Cardiovascular
1g - 3g Daily Divided doses
Key Cautions
  • — Severe renal impairment
  • — Lithium
  • — Antihypertensives

II. Activity Profile

Effects

documented physiological and clinical outcomes, ranked by evidence strength and magnitude

Blood Pressure ReductionCARDIOVASCULAR

Reduces systolic and diastolic blood pressure through modulation of vascular tone and sympathetic activity.

Evidence: High·Magnitude: Moderate
Anxiolytic ActivityNEUROLOGICAL

Exhibits calming effects through GABAergic modulation and glycine target activation in the CNS.

Evidence: Medium·Magnitude: Low
Insulin Sensitivity EnhancementMETABOLIC

Improves glucose uptake and utilization through improved insulin-response signaling.

Evidence: Medium·Magnitude: Low
Retinal ProtectionOCULAR

Prevents phototarget degeneration and maintains visual function through antioxidant mechanisms.

Evidence: High·Magnitude: Moderate
Bile Acid ConjugationHEPATIC

Essential for taurocholate synthesis, supporting lipid digestion and cholesterol metabolism.

Evidence: High·Magnitude: High
Exercise RecoveryMUSCULAR

Reduces exercise-induced muscle damage and accelerates post-exercise recovery processes.

Evidence: Low·Magnitude: Low
NeuroprotectionNEUROLOGICAL

Protects neurons from excitotoxicity and oxidative stress through multiple pathways.

Evidence: High·Magnitude: Moderate
Cardiac ContractilityCARDIOVASCULAR

Modulates calcium handling in cardiomyocytes, supporting healthy heart muscle function.

Evidence: Low·Magnitude: Moderate
Liver ProtectionHEPATIC

Protects hepatocytes from toxin-induced damage and supports regeneration processes.

Evidence: Medium·Magnitude: Moderate

III. Dose Evidence

Target Range
500mg - 2g
Frequency
Daily
Timing
With meals
Clinical Notes

Standard supplementation for overall health maintenance.

Dietary Sources
Shellfish
827mg/ 100g
Dark Poultry
306mg/ 100g
Beef
43mg/ 100g
Fish (Cod)
120mg/ 100g
Energy Drinks
1000mg/ 250ml
Endogenous synthesis

Endogenous taurine synthesis occurs in the liver from cysteine via the cysteine sulfinic acid pathway. Production may decline with age and certain health conditions.

IV. Safety Context

Safety context is scoped to the cited records and may change as the evidence review evolves.

Upper Limit
3g - 6g / day
Observed Safe
Up to 6g daily for 1 year
NOAEL
1000 mg/kg/day (animal)
Half-Life
~1 hour (plasma)
Elimination
Renal (unchanged)

Generally well tolerated in the studied oral intake ranges represented by the Taurine seed data.

V. Related Compounds

Effects

Compounds related by overlapping physiological or clinical outcomes.

L Theanine
Functional Analog
Shared Effects: Anxiolytic Activity
Magnesium L Threonate
Metabolic Related
Shared Effects: Blood Pressure Reduction

VI. Key Studies

Curated source records that explain the evidence landscape for this compound, including endpoint evidence, mechanism anchors, dose context, safety context, and limiting evidence.