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Taurine is a type of chemical called an amino sulfonic acid. It occurs naturally in the human body and has many important functions. Taurine is found in large amounts in the brain, retina, heart, and blood cells called platelets. The best food sources are meat, fish, and eggs.

The body usually makes taurine on its own. But some people cannot make it and need to get taurine from their diet or supplements. Breast milk is rich in taurine, but infants who are not breastfed do not get enough taurine and do not have the ability to make it, so taurine is often added to infant formulas. It is also added to the formulas used for tube-feeding in adults.

People take taurine for congestive heart failure (CHF) and swelling (inflammation) of the liver (hepatitis). It is also used for athletic performance, boosting energy, diabetes, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Natural Medicines rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
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  • Obesity.  Oral taurine does not appear to improve body weight in adults who are obese or overweight.
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Info

Taurine has important functions in the heart and brain. It helps support nerve growth. It might also benefit people with heart failure by lowering blood pressure and calming the nervous system. This might help prevent heart failure from becoming worse.

When taken by mouth: Taurine is LIKELY SAFE for adults when used in amounts found in foods. Taurine is POSSIBLY SAFE for adults when used as a medicine for up to 3 months.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Taurine is LIKELY SAFE when used in amounts found in foods. There isn't enough reliable information to know if taurine is safe to use as a medicine when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Children: Taurine is LIKELY SAFE for children when used in amounts found in foods. Taurine is POSSIBLY SAFE for children when used as a medicine for up to 4 months.

Lithium

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

Taurine might have an effect like a water pill or "diuretic." Taking taurine might decrease how well the body gets rid of lithium. This could increase how much lithium is in the body and result in serious side effects. Talk with your healthcare provider before using this product if you are taking lithium. Your lithium dose might need to be changed.

Herbs and supplements that might lower blood pressure: Taurine might lower blood pressure. Using it along with other herbs and supplements that have this same effect might increase the risk of blood pressure dropping too low in some people. Some of these herbs and supplements include andrographis, casein peptides, cat's claw, coenzyme Q10, fish oil, L-arginine, lycium, and others.

Alcohol: Taking taurine, including energy drinks, might increase how much alcohol you want to drink.
Fats and fat-containing foods: Taurine might increase how much fat the body absorbs.

The following doses have been studied in scientific research:

BY MOUTH:

  • For congestive heart failure (CHF): 1.5-6 grams of taurine has been taken daily, divided into two or three doses.
  • For hepatitis: 1.5-4 grams of taurine has been taken daily for up to 3 months.

2-Aminoethylsulfonic Acid, 2-Aminoethane Sulfonic Acid, Acide Aminoéthylsulfonique, Acide Kétoisocaproïque de Taurine, Acid Aminoethanesulfonate, Aminoethanesulfonate, Aminoéthylsulfonique, Dibicor, Éthyl Ester de Taurine, L-Taurine, Taurina, Taurine Ethyl Ester, Taurine Ketoisocaproic Acid.

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