Taurine is a small aminosulfonic acid found primarily in seafood and meat. It plays a key role in the regulation of the flow of ions across cellular membranes and the biosynthesis of water-soluble bile salts. Evidence shows that taurine supports cardiac function. 

Taurine is the second most common amino acid found in the body, and has many different health benefits due to its ability to help stabilize cell membranes. The most recent population studies have referred to taurine as a “wonder molecule” responsible for the longevity benefits of the Japanese. Taurine is the most abundant amino acid in the heart, and is important for several aspects of cardiovascular function, including blood pressure and heart rhythm. Taurine is often used to improve exercise performance due to its involvement in cardiac function and energy storage. It is able to cross the blood brain barrier, and some evidence has suggested it may have potential in helping to deal with neurological disorders.  

Although the research on taurine has mainly focused on cardiovascular and neurological function, emerging evidence is suggesting a vast array of other health benefits including blood sugar regulation, detoxification, and immune function. 

• Cardiovascular: Taurine is the most important and abundant amino acid in the heart. It stimulates the activity of cAMP, allowing the entry of calcium. Taurine has been widely used in Japan to treat various types of heart disease, including congestive heart failure (2-4g daily), arrhythmias (2g), duiresis, and hypertension.
• Antioxidant & Anti-Aging: Taurine reacts with hypochlorous acid (HOCI) produced in the retina and certain white cells during the “respiratory burst” to combat infection, thereby protecting the host from oxidative damage. Taurine is also a cell-membrane stabilizer and has been shown to protect against retinol toxicity and lipid peroxidation.
• Immunity: Taurine significantly increases lymphocyte viability in a dose-dependent manner. Taurine was also found to be an activator of natural-killer cells and stimulated the release of interleukin (IL-I) from macrophages. F
• Detoxification: Detoxifying agents render toxic substances more water soluble since, for the most part, such substances are poorly soluble. The increased solubility allows excretion through the kidneys. The amino group of taurine can react with carboxylic acid group of toxins to form amide linkages, e.g. retinoic acid reacts with taurine to form retinotaurine.
• Neurological Conditions: Analysis of human brain tissue showed that over two-thirds of the samples of migraine / epileptic patients had reduced taurine content. Administration of taurine reduced the seizures in an animal model of human epilepsy, primarily due to stabilizing nerve cell membranes.
• Retinosis Pigmentosa: RP is a genetic disorder in which the retina slowly degenerates, resulting in early loss of night vision followed by the progressive development of tunnel vision, ending in blindness and often complicated with macular degeneration. RP victims appear to have abnormally low uptake of taurine, suggesting the use of the amino acid as a corrective.