Taurine is made by the body from the amino acid methionine. As a result, even vegans, who have almost no taurine in their diet, seldom have a deficiency.

Infants are unable to make taurine. Since it is present in breastmilk³ and formula, however, they seldom show a deficiency. Formula-fed infants may benefit from supplementation, because it appears to prevent large amounts of protein from being excreted in urine.⁴

Taurine regulates heart pumping. Taken as a supplement, it appears to help Chronic Heart Failure patients.⁵

Taurine is often deficient in Type 1 diabetics. Supplementing with 1.5 grams daily helps to replenish the body’s supply and to correct blood viscosity problems caused by the deficiency.⁶

Taurine has been shown to reduce blood pressure in both animals⁷ and humans.⁸

Taurine also appears effective in repairing damaged colon cells⁹ and healing stomach ulcers.¹⁰

Natural Sources: Fish, Meats.

Useful in treatment of: Congestive Heart Failure, diabetes, high blood pressure.

Recommended Dosage: 1.5 grams daily.

Contraindications: None.

References:

¹Effects of increased adrenomedullary activity and taurine in young patients with borderline hypertension. Circulation, 75(3):525-32 1987 Mar
²Taurine in development. J Nutr, 118(10):1169-76 1988 Oct
³Taurine in human milk: growth modulator or conditionally essential amino acid? J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr, 2 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):S266-71 1983
⁴Taurine supplementation prevents hyperaminoacidemia in growing term infants fed high-protein cow's milk formula. Acta Paediatr, 403(12):1403-7 1996 Dec
⁵Azuma J, Hasegawa H, Sawamura N, et al. Taurine for treatment of congestive heart failure. Int J Cardiol 1982;2:303–4.
⁶Franconi F, Bennardini F, Mattana A, et al. Plasma and platelet taurine are reduced in subjects with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus: effects of taurine supplementation. Am J Clin Nutr 1995;61:1115–19.
⁷Abe M, Shibata K, Matsuda T, Furukawa T. Inhibition of hypertension and salt intake by oral taurine treatment in hypertensive rats. Hypertension 1987;10:383–9.
⁸Fujita T, Ando K, Noda H, et al. Effects of increased adrenomedullary activity and taurine in young patients with borderline hypertension. Circulation 1987;75:525–32.
⁹Protective effect of taurine on hypoxia and reoxygenation-induced damage of human colon cells (HT 29). Adv Exp Med Biol, 403(213-22):213-22 1996
¹⁰Protective effect of taurine on indomethacin-induced gastric mucosal injury. Adv Exp Med Biol, 403(-TI-):147-55 1996