What does taurine do to the brain?
Taurine supports proliferation of neural progenitor cells and synapse formation in brain regions required for long-term memory (Shivaraj et al., 2012). Taurine stimulates action potentials in GABAergic neurons and specifically targets the GABAA receptor (Jia et al., 2008).
Taurine is an amino acid that increases glycine and GABA to calm the brain (AKA ease anxiety). It also protects the brain by reducing the harmful effects of excess glutamate.
The most common protocol to reduce blood pressure is 1.5 grams per day divided into three doses of 0.5 grams. For athletic performance, it is recommended to consume taurine 60–120 minutes before exercise for peak bioavailability.
Increasing our intake of taurine, whether through food or supplementation, will in-turn increase GABA, our body's main inhibitory neurotransmitter. GABA is the chemical that helps keep our mind in a calm, peaceful state, thus helping ease any symptoms of anxiety.
An amino acid called taurine plays an important role in creating new brain cells. Researchers found that taurine increased the growth of brain cells by activating “sleeping” stem cells. Taurine also increased the survival of new neurons, resulting in an increase in adult brain cell creation.
These data suggest that taurine can improve cognition function through multiple potential mechanisms (e.g. restoring functions of taurine transporters and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) A receptors subunit; mitigating neuroinflammation; up-regulating Nrf2 expression and antioxidant capacities; activating Akt/CREB/PGC1α ...
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.
According to the best available evidence, taurine has no negative side effects when supplemented appropriately ( 17 ). One 2019 report suggests that the highest daily dose of taurine you can safely consume is 3 grams per day.
Preclinical studies have shown that the amino acid taurine is of importance for the dopamine elevating properties of ethanol. Taurine intake has escalated over the last decade due to increased consumption of taurine-containing energy drinks and dietary supplements.
Taurine is a type of amino acid that aids in calming anxiety levels by supporting the function of the neurotransmitter GABA, which allows the brain to shut off and encourages rest. Supplements containing 1 to 3 grams of taurine should be taken before bedtime to see full benefits.
Can you take taurine everyday?
Are taurine supplements safe? Yes! Studies show that two to four grams divided into two or three daily doses is safe without side effects. Higher doses (like six grams daily) have shown to be safe for up to four weeks.
Supplementation with taurine – perhaps best known as an additive in energy drinks – may help control oxidative stress during the aging process, says a recent study published in the journal Nutrition.
Taurine supplementation was found to be effective against oxidative stress, apoptosis, and inflammation in injured brain cells.
Taurine supplementation has been shown to reduce inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1α, and IL-1β in spinal cord injury and TBI (48). In this study, taurine significantly reduced TNF-α and IL-6 levels.
Interestingly, a multi-nutrient supplement containing BCAA and taurine as well as some vitamin B and plant extracts improved inflammation and joint pain in middle-age individuals [19]. Therefore, we hypothesized that taurine might enhance the beneficial effect of BCAA on DOMS and muscle damage induced by exercise.
According to the best available evidence, taurine has no negative side effects when supplemented appropriately ( 17 ). One 2019 report suggests that the highest daily dose of taurine you can safely consume is 3 grams per day.
In addition, taurine and its analogues have been observed to exert antineurotoxic and anti-inflammatory effects, and inhibit tumour cell proliferation (10–14). Taurine has also been shown to protect various organs against damage induced by mental and oxidative stress (15–17).
Are taurine supplements safe? Yes! Studies show that two to four grams divided into two or three daily doses is safe without side effects. Higher doses (like six grams daily) have shown to be safe for up to four weeks.