Review

Ark90 (12459 pt) • 2019-Oct-31 19:28

Taurine is an acidic chemical substance, originally discovered in the bile of a bull, hence the name.

It is an amino acid produced naturally by the human body and performs important functions in the cardiovascular circulatory system, in skeletal muscle and in the nervous system.

Mainly used in energy drinks, supplements and food additives.

It contains sulfur and has an antioxidant action, modulates calcium homeostasis and has antiapoptotic effects, therefore beneficial on the cardiac membrane (1).

In type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus it has shown efficacy, as well as many antioxidant compounds (2).

In Alzheimer's disease, which is a progressive lethal neurological disease affecting memory, some results suggest that taurine may help counteract cognitive impairment and may reduce its damage (3).

Contrary to popular belief, the administration of taurine (and caffeine) in energy drinks does not increase physical and cognitive ability (4). However, serious risks weigh on consumption, always increasing energy drinks containing, among others, also taurine (5).

In essence, taurine is good overall, but excessive consumption is bad.

It is always essential to seek medical attention before taking food supplements.

Taurine studies

Molecular Formula: C₂H₇NO₃S

Linear Formula NH₂CH₂CH₂SO₃H

Molecular Weight: 125.142 g/mol

UNII: 1EQV5MLY3D

CAS: 107-35-7

EC Number: 203-483-8

FEMA Number: 3813

PubChem Substance ID 24278721

MDL number MFCD00008197

Beilstein Registry Number 1751215

Synonyms:

2-aminoethanesulfonic acid
L-Taurine
tauphon
Ethanesulfonic acid, 2-amino-
2-Aminoethylsulfonic acid
O-Due
2-Sulfoethylamine
taufon
Aminoethanesulfonic acid
aminoethylsulfonic acid
beta-Aminoethylsulfonic acid
2-aminoethane-1-sulfonic acid
.beta.-Aminoethylsulfonic acid
1-Aminoethane-2-sulfonic acid
Taurine Hydrochloride

References______________________________________________

(1) The effect of taurine on chronic heart failure: actions of taurine against catecholamine and angiotensin II.
Ito T, Schaffer S, Azuma J.
Amino Acids. 2014 Jan;46(1):111-9. doi: 10.1007/s00726-013-1507-z.

Taurine attenuates oxidative stress and alleviates cardiac failure in type I diabetic rats. Wang GG, Li W, Lu XH, Zhao X, Xu L. Croat Med J. 2013 Apr;54(2):171-9.

Exogenous taurine attenuates mitochondrial oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum stress in rat cardiomyocytes.
Yang Y, Zhang Y, Liu X, Zuo J, Wang K, Liu W, Ge J.
Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai). 2013 May;45(5):359-67. doi: 10.1093/abbs/gmt034.

(2) Protective and therapeutic effectiveness of taurine in diabetes mellitus: A rationale for antioxidant supplementation.
Sirdah MM.
Diabetes Metab Syndr. 2015 January - March;9(1):55-64. doi: 10.1016/j.dsx.2014.05.001.

(3) Taurine in drinking water recovers learning and memory in the adult APP/PS1 mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.

Kim HY, Kim HV, Yoon JH, Kang BR, Cho SM, Lee S, Kim JY, Kim JW, Cho Y, Woo J, Kim Y.
Sci Rep. 2014 Dec 12;4:7467. doi: 10.1038/srep07467.

(4) Effects of energy drink major bioactive compounds on the performance of young adults in fitness and cognitive tests: a randomized controlled trial.
Kammerer M, Jaramillo JA, García A, Calderón JC, Valbuena LH.
J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2014 Nov 7;11(1):44. doi: 10.1186/s12970-014-0044-9.

(5) Risk of Energy Drink Consumption to Adolescent Health. Ruiz LD, Scherr RE. Am J Lifestyle Med. 2018 Sep 27;13(1):22-25. doi: 10.1177/1559827618803069.

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