What does Taurine do？

Taurine, also known as bortcholic acid, bortcholine, and bortcholine, is a non-protein amino acid containing sulfur. It has a white crystal or crystalline powder, which is odorless and slightly acidic, soluble in water, easily soluble in acetic acid, slightly soluble in ethanol, ether and acetone, etc., and is nearly neutral in aqueous solution. It is stable to heat and decomposes at about 300°C. Taurine has both amino groups and sulfonate groups. The amino groups can form salts with acids and acylate with carboxyl groups to form amides, and react with isocyanate as active hydrogen to form urea compounds.

The natural source of taurine mainly comes from a variety of tissues and organs in animals (especially mammals). However, the extraction of taurine from animal tissues is high cost, low efficiency, and difficult to meet the huge market demand. Most of the taurine used on the market are artificial chemically synthesized.

At the same time, the synthetic taurine is exactly the same as the natural taurine in terms of chemical structure, and its biological activity and efficacy are also completely the same.

1.Cardiovascular protection

Through calcium ion regulation, antioxidant and membrane stabilization, and inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system, these three mechanisms play a role in protecting the cardiovascular system.

Calcium ion regulation: By stabilizing the calcium ion concentration in cardiomyocytes, it promotes the release/recovery of calcium ions through the sarcoplasmic reticulum, and optimizes the contraction-diastolic cycle.

Antioxidant and membrane stability: Scavenge free radicals (such as hypochlorous acid), inhibit lipid peroxidation, and protect cardiomyocyte membrane integrity.

Inhibiting the Renin-Angiotensin System: Reduces angiotensin II levels, reduces vasoconstriction and elevated blood pressure.

When you exercise, you can use functional drinks containing taurine or other forms of products, which can relieve myocardial hypoxia damage.

For patients with hypertension, supplementing taurine-containing health products in daily life can help lower blood pressure.

2.Neurological development and function

This effect is achieved by the three major mechanisms of neurotransmitter regulation, osmotic pressure, ionic balance and retinal protection.

Neurotransmitter regulation: As an agonist of glycine receptors and GABA receptors, it inhibits neuronal hyperexcitation and relieves anxiety. At the same time, it promotes the conversion of glutamate to GABA (inhibitory transmitter) and maintains the nerve excitation/inhibition balance.

Osmotic pressure and ionic equilibrium: As the main organic osmosis agent, maintains the balance of nerve cell volume and electrolyte (such as regulating potassium and calcium ion channels).

Retinal protection: Existing in high concentrations in photoreceptor cells, maintaining the function of light signal transducing proteins (such as rhodopsin) and removing free radicals generated by photodamage.

It is often added to infant milk powder to promote the development of infant brains and improve learning and memory ability.

Energy drinks are also often added with taurine, which is used to combat nerve fatigue, relieve anxiety and improve sleep quality. Common brands include Red Bull, Monster, etc.

3.Metabolic regulation

Metabolism is regulated through bile acid binding and cholesterol metabolism regulation.

Bile acid binding: combines with bile acid to form taurocholic acid, which enhances the hydrophilicity of bile and promotes fat emulsification and intestinal absorption.

Cholesterol metabolism regulation: By activating the liver FXR nuclear receptor, it inhibits the rate-limiting enzyme of cholesterol synthesis, and promotes the conversion of cholesterol to bile acids.

Dietary intervention for people with high cholesterol can improve fat indigestion (such as abdominal distension and diarrhea) and help reduce cholesterol levels.

For patients with liver and gallbladder diseases, there will be insufficient bile secretion. You can take supplements containing taurine, which can enhance the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A/D/E/K). For specific dosage, you can consult a doctor.

4.Antioxidant

Antioxidant effects are achieved by directly scavenging free radicals and enhancing endogenous antioxidant systems.

Directly scavenge free radicals: neutralize strong oxidants such as hypochlorous acid (HOCl), peroxynitroso (ONOO⁻).

Enhanced endogenous antioxidant system: It can increase glutathione (GSH) levels, thereby activating antioxidant enzymes (such as superoxide dismutase SOD).

This effect is often added to anti-aging skin care products, delaying cell aging and reducing oxidative stress damage.

Taurine is widely added to energy drinks (such as Red Bull, Monster, Dongpeng Special Drink, etc.), not accidental, but based on multiple considerations of its unique physiological functions and business strategies.

Taurine has the effect of anti-fatigue, improving endurance, promoting energy metabolism and protecting the cardiovascular system.

Promote energy metabolism: By enhancing the emulsification of bile acids on fat, it assists glycogen and fat decomposition to provide energy. At the same time, it improves mitochondrial function and improves cellular energy (ATP) production efficiency.

The main formula of energy drinks is caffeine and taurine, with a ratio of 1:2 (such as 80mg of caffeine + 160mg of taurine) and the best effect. Therefore, energy drinks with taurine added synergize with the effect of caffeine, so consumers are prone to directly associate taurine with "refreshing" and "anti-fatigue".

Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system to refresh itself, but may cause anxiety or palpitations. Taurine provides a "smooth awake" feeling by inhibiting excessive nerve excitation (activates GABA receptors), buffering the side effects of caffeine.

The amount of caffeine and taurine must be controlled in energy drinks and must be strictly followed by requirements. The European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) evaluates that daily intake of ≤6,000 mg taurine is not safe (one can of drink contains about 1,000-2,000 mg), and excess taurine is excreted through the kidneys and has no accumulation of toxicity.

A 2014 study by the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition showed that energy drinks containing taurine can improve athletes' endurance by 15%.

1. Nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain will occur, especially when taking high doses on an empty stomach.

2. Electrolyte disorders will cause hypokalemia (muscle weakness, palpitations), and hyponatremia (headache, drowsiness).

3. Kidney burden. For patients with chronic kidney disease, people with decreased renal function may have modern metabolites accumulation.

4. Special groups

Pregnant women/lactation and children must take taurine intake as prescribed by doctors.

Taurine itself is safe and has many side effects related to excessive intake, special diseases or compound ingredients in energy drinks.

1.European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). (2012). Scientific Opinion on the safety of taurine and D-glucurono-γ-lactone as constituents of "energy" drinks. EFSA Journal, 10(7), 2736

2.Shao, A., & Hathcock, J. N. (2008). Risk assessment for the amino acids taurine, L-glutamine and L-arginine. Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, 50(3), 376–399.

3.Yamori, Y., et al. (2010). Taurine in health and diseases: Consistent evidence from experimental and epidemiological studies. Journal of Biomedical Science, 17(S1), S6.

4.Neuringer, M., et al. (1994). Taurine deficiency in the developing rhesus monkey: Retinal and visual consequences. Progress in Clinical and Biological Research, 390, 415–425.

5.Campbell, B., et al. (2017). International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand: Energy drinks. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 14(1), 20.