L-Taurine

Taurine (L-Taurine) is a sulfur-containing organic acid typically formulated from sodium sulfite. It is then purified and dried into a white powder. The main dietary sources of taurine are meats and fish.

Major Health Benefits

Taurine is a major component of bile acids, and can be produced in the body. It functions as an antioxidant and helps maintain healthy cell membranes. Adequate intake of taurine may help to enhance alcohol metabolism and decrease liver toxicity in individuals with chronic alcohol consumption.1 Furthermore, taurine may play a role in preventing excessive blood clotting2 and maintaining normal muscle (skeletal and cardiac) function.3,4

References

  1. Hsieh YL, Yeh YH, Lee YT, Huang CY. Effect of taurine in chronic alcoholic patients. Food Funct. 2014 Jul 25;5(7):1529-35.PMID: 24841875
  2. Ijiri Y, Ikarugi H, Tamura Y, Ura M, Morishita M, et al. Antithrombotic effect of taurine in healthy Japanese people may be related to an increased endogenous thrombolytic activity. Thromb Res. 2013 Feb;131(2):158-61.PMID: 23103079.
  3. Huxtable RJ. Physiological actions of taurine. Physiol Rev. 1992 Jan;72(1):101-63.PMID: 1731369.
  4. Warskulat U, Flögel U, Jacoby C, Hartwig HG, et al. Taurine transporter knockout depletes muscle taurine levels and results in severe skeletal muscle impairment but leaves cardiac function uncompromised. FASEB J. 2004 Mar;18(3):577-9. Epub 2004 Jan 20.PMID: 14734644.