TAURINE

Taurine is used as a food additive to meet essential dietary intake levels for cats, and supplemental dietary support for dogs and poultry.
Taurine might also benefit people with heart failure by lowering blood pressure and calming the nervous system.

CAS Number: 107-35-7
EC (EINECS) Number: 203-483-8
IUPAC Name: 2-aminoethanesulfonic acid
Molecular Formula: C₂H₇NO₃S
Molecular Weight: 125.15 g/mol

SYNONYMS:
2-Aminoethanesulfonic acid, Tauric acid, taurine, 2-aminoethanesulfonic acid, 107-35-7, Ethanesulfonic acid, 2-amino-, L-Taurine, tauphon, 2-Aminoethylsulfonic acid, 2-Sulfoethylamine, aminoethylsulfonic acid, O-Due, 2-aminoethane-1-sulfonic acid, Aminoethanesulfonic acid, taufon, beta-Aminoethylsulfonic acid, Taurina, FEMA No. 3813, Taurinum, NCI-C60606, Taukard, 1EQV5MLY3D, NSC-32428, DTXSID3021304, DTXCID301304, CHEBI:15891, L-Taurine High, L-Taurine 7421, RefChem:6284, L-Taurine High 7422, Taurine (2-Aminoethane-1-sulfonic acid), 203-483-8, 2-azaniumylethanesulfonate, Taurinum [Latin], Taurina [Spanish], Taurine [INN], C2H7NO3S, CCRIS 4721, AI3-18307, 2-aminoethane sulfonic acid, EINECS 203-483-8, MFCD00008197, 1-Aminoethane-2-sulfonic acid, NSC32428, .beta.-Aminoethylsulfonic acid, NCGC00015997-06, Aminoethylsulfonic acid (JAN), 2-amino-ethanesulfonic acid, AMINOETHYLSULFONIC ACID [JAN], CAS-107-35-7, SMR000326743, SR-01000076144, 2-AminoethanesulfonicAcid, UNII-1EQV5MLY3D, NSC 32428, Taurine [USP:INN:BAN], Taurineold, Taurate, HSDB 8167, Taurine CRS, Aminoethylsulfonate, b-Aminoethylsulfonate, Taurine (8CI), 2-Aminoethylsulfonate, 2-aminoethyl sulfonate, beta-Aminoethylsulfonate, Tocris-0209, TAURINE [VANDF], 2aminoethanesulfonic acid, TAURINE [FHFI], Taurine, >=99%, b-Aminoethylsulfonic acid, TAURINE [JAN], 2-amino-ethanesulfonicaci, TAURINE [MI], TAURINE [MART.], Lopac-T-0625, 2-aminoethylsulphonic acid, TAURINE [USP-RS], TAURINE [WHO-DD], WLN: Z2SWQ, 1-Aminoethane-2-sulfonate, bmse000120, bmse000805, bmse000863, EC 203-483-8, Lopac0_001134, SCHEMBL23068, Taurine, >=98%, FG, MLS000859681, MLS001332383, MLS001332384, SCHEMBL313193, Taurine (JP18/USP/INN), CHEMBL239243, GTPL2379, orb1311013, TAURINE [USP MONOGRAPH], SCHEMBL28297002, Taurine, >=99.0% (T), HMS2093L13, HMS2233D19, HMS3263D09, HMS3370J18, Pharmakon1600-01505463, BB_SC-12990, HY-B0351, RKL10149, taurine, 2-aminoethanesulfonic acid, Tox21_110277, Tox21_202520, Tox21_501134, BDBM50357220, EBC-03933, HB2658, MSK000067, NSC759150, s2008, STL197941, AKOS005208848, Tox21_110277_1, CCG-205208, DB01956, Ethanesulfonic acid, 2-amino- (9CI), FT29795, LP01134, NSC-759150, SDCCGSBI-0051101.P003, Taurine, BioUltra, >=99.5% (T), Taurine, SAJ first grade, >=98.5%, NCGC00015997-01, NCGC00015997-02, NCGC00015997-03, NCGC00015997-04, NCGC00015997-05, NCGC00015997-07, NCGC00015997-08, NCGC00015997-10, NCGC00015997-20, NCGC00024497-01, NCGC00024497-02, NCGC00024497-03, NCGC00024497-04, NCGC00024497-05, NCGC00260069-01, NCGC00261819-01, AS-13587, DA-67951, NCI60_002814, SBI-0051101.P002, A0295, EU-0101134, NS00009343, EN300-28228, C00245, D00047, D78121, T 0625, AB00443712-07, AB00443712_09, AB00443712_10, F094516, Q207051, SR-01000076144-1, SR-01000076144-3, SR-01000076144-5, Taurine, certified reference material, TraceCERT(R), BRD-K51474575-001-10-4, BRD-K51474575-001-11-2, F2191-0280, Z248489432, Taurine, cell culture tested, meets USP testing specifications, Taurine, United States Pharmacopeia (USP) Reference Standard, Taurine, Pharmaceutical Secondary Standard, Certified Reference Material, 2-aminoethanesulfonic acid, Aminoethylsulfonic acid, 2-Aminoethanesulphonic acid, Taurine powder, TATU, AMINOETHYLSULFONIC ACID, TURIN, O-Due

Taurine is an ingredient in energy drinks.
Taurine (/ˈtɔːriːn/ ⓘ; IUPAC: 2-aminoethanesulfonic acid) is a naturally occurring organic compound with the chemical formula C2H7NO3S, and is a non-proteinogenic amino sulfonic acid widely distributed in mammalian tissues and organs.

Structurally, by containing a sulfonic acid group instead of a carboxylic acid group, Taurine is not involved in protein synthesis but is still usually referred to as an amino acid.
As non-proteinogenic amino sulfonic acid, Taurine is not encoded by the genetic code and is distinguished from the protein-building α-amino acids.

Taurine is a major constituent of bile and can be found in the large intestine.
Taurine is named after Latin taurus, meaning bull or ox, as it was first isolated from ox bile in 1827 by German scientists Friedrich Tiedemann and Leopold Gmelin.

Although taurine is abundant in human organs, it is not an essential human dietary nutrient and is not included among nutrients with a recommended intake level.
Among the diverse pathways by which natural taurine can be biosynthesized, its human pathways (primarily in the human liver) are from cysteine and/or methionine.

Taurine is commonly sold as a dietary supplement, but there is no good clinical evidence that taurine supplements provide any benefit to human health.
Taurine is a type of chemical called an amino sulfonic acid.

Taurine occurs naturally in the body.
The best food sources of Taurine are meat, fish, and eggs.
Taurine is an amino acid that has a few important roles in your body, including supporting immune health and nervous system function.

Most of the time, your body produces enough taurine on its own, but supplements can also help you meet your taurine needs.
Taurine is an amino acid — that is, an organic compound used to make proteins.
There are hundreds of amino acids that exist in nature, but only nine are essential for human life.

Taurine isn’t one of them.
Our bodies naturally produce it, but they don’t use it to synthesize protein, so taurine is considered a semi-essential (or conditionally essential) amino acid.

But the fact that taurine isn’t essential doesn’t make it unimportant.
You can find it throughout the body — in places like your brain, eyes, heart and muscles.
And Taurine plays a role in a number of different physical processes.

Taurine has important functions in the heart, brain and immune system.
Taurine helps support nerve growth, helps us maintain proper hydration and produces bile salts, which help in digestion.
Taurine also regulates minerals and supports the general function of your nervous system, vision and eyes.

While it’s not usually essential, our bodies will produce the taurine we need in times of severe illness or stress.
While our bodies naturally produce taurine, you can also get it from meat, seafood and dairy.
Vegans and vegetarians consume a much lower quantity of taurine when compared to people who eat meat.

So they do tend to have lower taurine levels.
But she’s quick to remind that that’s really only a problem if somebody is critically ill and needs extra immune support.
Taurine is a large white crystals or white powder.

Taurine is an amino sulfonic acid that is the 2-amino derivative of ethanesulfonic acid.
Taurine is a naturally occurring amino acid derived from methionine and cysteine metabolism.
An abundant component of fish- and meat-based foods, Taurine has been used as an oral supplement in the treatment of disorders such as cystic fibrosis and hypertension.

Taurine is a conjugate acid of a 2-aminoethanesulfonate.
It is a tautomer of a taurine zwitterion.
Taurine, whose chemical name is 2-aminoethanesulfonic acid, is one of the most abundant amino acids in several organs.

Taurine plays important role in essential biological processes.
This conditional amino acid can be either be manufactured by the body or obtained in the diet mainly by the consumption of fish and meat.
The supplements containing taurine were FDA approved by 1984 and they are hypertonic injections composed by cristalline amino acids.

Taurine is a metabolite found in or produced by Escherichia coli.
Taurine has been reported in Sargassum fulvellum, Drosophila melanogaster, and other organisms with data available.
Taurine is a small molecule drug with a maximum clinical trial phase of IV (across all indications) and has 7 investigational indications.

Taurine is a conditionally essential nutrient, important during mammalian development.
Taurine is present in milk but is isolated mostly from ox bile and strongly conjugates bile acids.
Taurine is an amino acid nutritional supplement that is used to treat taurine-deficiency diseases such as dilated cardiomyopathy, a type of heart disease.

Taurine is also effective in preventing retinal degeneration, a disease of the eye.
Although taurine-deficiency occurs primarily in cats, it may also occur in Cocker Spaniels, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Newfoundlands, Dalmatians, Portuguese Water Dogs, and English Bulldogs.
Taurine may also be effective for general heart disease.

USES and APPLICATIONS of TAURINE:
Energy drinks and dietary supplements: Taurine is an ingredient in some energy drinks in amounts of 1–3 grams per serving.
Taurine is used as a food additive to meet essential dietary intake levels for cats, and supplemental dietary support for dogs and poultry.
Taurine has important functions in the heart and brain.

Taurine helps support nerve growth.
Taurine 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.

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

An abundant component of fish- and meat-based foods, Taurine has been used as an oral supplement in the treatment of disorders such as cystic fibrosis and hypertension.

-In food uses of Taurine:
Taurine occurs naturally in fish and meat.
The mean daily intake from omnivore diets was determined to be around 58 mg (range 9–372 mg), and to be low or negligible from a vegan diet.

Typical taurine consumption in the American diet is about 123–178 mg per day.
Taurine is partially destroyed by heat in processes such as baking and boiling.

This is a concern for cat food, as cats have a dietary requirement for taurine and can easily become deficient.
Either raw feeding or supplementing taurine can satisfy this requirement.
Both lysine and taurine can mask the metallic flavor of potassium chloride, a salt substitute.

-Breast milk:
Taurine is present in breast milk, and has been added to many infant formulas as a measure of prudence since the early 1980s.
However, this practice has never been rigorously studied, and as such Taurine has yet to be proven to be necessary, or even beneficial.

POTENTIAL HEALTH BENEFITS of TAURINE:
The clinical benefits of taurine haven’t been extensively studied, especially in isolation.
That means, while studies are promising, it’s hard to know whether any of the benefits listed below are accurate:

*May improve heart function.
Some studies suggest that taurine can improve blood pressure regulation and heart function.
Taurine may also help regulate blood fat levels (triglycerides and cholesterol) in people with heart conditions like heart failure.

*May prevent heart disease.
If taurine is proven to help regulate blood pressure, the implications for heart health could be significant.
Preliminary research suggests that, at high levels, taurine may help prevent heart disease.

*May help with diabetes management.
Zumpano says there’s research suggesting that taurine can enhance insulin sensitivity, thereby maximizing our body’s utilization of insulin.
The potential result: A reduced risk of developing Type 2 diabetes — and improved blood sugar management for people already living with the condition.
That would mean a slowing of the disease process and reduction in complications like diabetes-related neuropathy, retinopathy and nephropathy.

*May improve exercise performance.
We know that muscles contain high levels of taurine, but we’re still working to understand its exact impact.
Studies indicate that taurine can increase oxygen uptake in the body, which means it’ll take a person longer to get fatigued.
Taurine may reduce muscle damage, which would help improve recovery and strength.

SOURCES of TAURINE:
The main sources of taurine are animal proteins such as meat, seafood, and dairy.
Plants contain no appreciable amount of taurine.
Consequently, people eating a vegan or vegetarian diet consume less taurine.

They tend to have lower taurine levels than those who regularly eat animal proteins.
Even so, taurine deficiency is unlikely.

This is thanks to your body’s ability to make taurine in your liver from other amino acids.
In addition to getting taurine from food, you can get it from some energy drinks.

These typically provide around 750 mg per 8-ounce (237-mL) serving.
For reference, the typical American diet provides 123–178 mg of taurine daily, while a lacto-ovo vegetarian diet — which includes both dairy products and eggs — provides only around 17 mg of taurine daily.

The form of taurine used in supplements and energy drinks is usually synthetic, meaning it’s not derived from animals.
Therefore, it’s suitable for those eating a vegan or vegetarian diet.

DISCOVERY AND NAME of TAURINE:
Taurine was first isolated from ox bile in 1827 by German scientists Friedrich Tiedemann and Leopold Gmelin.
Another German scientist Von H. Demarcay first used its common chemical name Taurine in 1838, derived from the Latin taurus meaning bull or ox.
Taurine was subsequently identified in human bile in 1846 by Edmund Ronalds.

IN NATURE, TAURINE:
Taurine is widely distributed in nature, particularly in animal tissues.
Moreover, it is abundant in nature, including in animal organs, and further, as substrates in the biosynthesis of bile salts.
Taurine concentrations in human cells may derive from at least three processes.

Biosynthesis from the sulfur amino acids (e.g., cysteine).
Active uptake by a possible taurine transporter.
The extent of its release from cells by a "volume-sensitive leak pathway".

It is not an essential human dietary nutrient, resulting in the absence of taurine from compounds having a Reference Daily Intake.
Taurine'role in human physiology is unknown.

Taurine is a major constituent of bile, and can be found in the large intestine.
Taurine's concentrations in land plants are low or undetectable, but up to a substantial wet weight has been found in algae.

RELATED COMPOUNDS of TAURINE:     
*Sulfamic acid
*Aminomethanesulfonic acid
*Homotaurine

HOW MUCH TAURINE DO YOU NEED EACH DAY?
As mentioned above, taurine is a nonessential amino acid because your body makes it.
So deficiencies of taurine are rare.
A daily recommended amount hasn’t been established.

But people who don’t eat meat or fish typically consume less taurine through food than do meat-eaters.
They often have lower taurine levels and may benefit from taurine supplements or making sure they get enough of other foods containing taurine.

Taurine is an amino acid commonly found in meat, fish and eggs – it is rare in plants, but it has been found in smaller amounts in algae, bacteria and fungi.
Taurine's also sometimes sold as a supplement, which is popular with bodybuilders and athletes, who believe it may help them to control their body temperature and reduce muscular fatigue during exercise.

While taurine is not actually used to build proteins in the body, as other amino acids are, it has a range of roles, particularly in the central nervous system – where it regulates the amount of calcium in nerve cells and controls inflammation, among other things.
In fact, taurine makes up around 0.1% of the body weight of animals.
Taurine was first isolated in the 1820s, from the bile of European cattle (Bos taurus), from which it derives its name.

7 FOODS HIGH IN TAURINE:
Taurine is naturally found in animal proteins.
Taurine’s also found in smaller amounts in some plant foods.
Because of its potential role in exercise and endurance, some energy drinks have added taurine.

Here are the seven foods highest in taurine (per 100 g), in descending order.

***Shellfish
The most abundant source of taurine comes from the ocean.
Shellfish are some of the most highly concentrated sources of taurine.
Research on the amount of taurine in shellfish varies based on the sample.
But scallops (827 mg) and mussels (655 mg) usually contain the most.

***Poultry
Both light and dark meat poultry products contain taurine, but the darker cuts are better sources.
Dark meat turkey is the highest with 300 mg of taurine, and dark meat chicken is the runner-up with 170 mg.

***Seaweed
Seaweed is one of the only plant foods to contain taurine.
Taurine can vary between species, but red algae and green algae seaweeds have been shown to contain the highest amounts.
Red algae seaweed typically contains around 227 mg of taurine, while green algae seaweed contains around 28 mg.
Nori (seaweed sheets used to make sushi) and some seaweed-fortified pastas and crackers are also good sources of taurine.
They may be a good choice for people who follow a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle and don’t get taurine from animal products.

***Fish
Finfish also contain a fair amount of taurine.
As with shellfish, the amount varies based on the report:
*Canned tuna: 39 mg
*Albacore tuna filet: 176 mg
*Cod: 30-108 mg
*Farmed salmon: 60 mg

***Beef and Pork
Beef, veal, and pork products contain moderate amounts of taurine and are the primary source of this amino acid for most people in the U.S.
They contain between 38 mg and 47 mg of taurine.
But note that dietary recommendations recommend limiting your meat consumption, and choosing mostly lean and unprocessed meats when you do include it.

***Dairy products
While other animal products contain good amounts of taurine, dairy products contain smaller amounts.
Milk, yogurt, and ice cream usually contain up to 8 mg.

***Energy drinks
Energy drinks are often fortified with taurine and marketed to boost exercise performance.
On average, energy drinks that contain taurine have about 750 mg of taurine per 8-ounce drink.

Note that these drinks also usually contain additional ingredients that may boost your energy levels, including:
*Caffeine
*Ginseng
*Sugar

***Vitamins and minerals
Taurine’s recommended that children, teenagers, and pregnant women avoid energy drinks.
This is because of their caffeine and sugar content, as well as the unknown effects of taurine on growth and development.

WHY IS TAURINE IMPORTANT?
Taurine is found in many parts of your body.
For example, it’s found in your:
*Eyes
*Heart
*Muscle tissue
*Brain
*White blood cells

Taurine has several vital functions in your body:
*Infant brain and neurological development: 
Taurine plays an important role in fetus and infant nervous system development.
But infants aren’t able to make taurine on their own.
So, they have to get taurine from breastmilk or formula.

*Digestion and absorption of fats: 
Taurine combines with bile acids in your liver to form bile salts.
When you eat, bile salts help with the digestion and absorption of fats and fat-soluble vitamins in your intestine.

*Heart health: 
Taurine affects levels of calcium and potassium, which play an important role in electrical activity and heart muscle contraction.

*Eye health: 
Taurine is the most abundant amino acid in your eye.
It’s needed for the development and protection of your retina.

*Antioxidants: 
Taurine has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
Supplementation with taurine has been shown to reduce inflammatory markers after exercise in people with heart failure and a BMI more than 30.
There are more potential benefits of taurine that experts are still learning about.

Some of the most promising include:
*Reducing your risk of cardiovascular disease: 
Taurine is thought to help support the lining of your blood vessels, called the endothelium.
This may affect blood flow, vascular inflammation, and blood pressure.

*Boosting muscle strength: 
Taurine is abundant in your muscles and may help with muscle contraction.

*Improving exercise endurance and muscle recovery: 
The research in this area is conflicting.
Some research suggests it can help with muscle recovery, but the studies on exercise endurance are mixed.

KEY TAKEAWAYS of TAURINE:
Taurine is an amino acid that’s made by your liver.
With the exception of infants, most people make all the taurine they need.
Still, there may be benefits to getting more through your diet.

Taurine supports many organs and functions in your body, including your nervous system, eye health, and digestion.
Taurine may also have a role in reducing your risk of cardiovascular disease and improving recovery after exercise.

Foods high in taurine include seaweed, shellfish, and animal meat.
Most energy drinks also contain taurine.

You may have heard of taurine because it’s added to many energy drinks and supplements.
Taurine is an amino acid, one of the building blocks for making protein.
And Taurine has many important functions in your body.

Unlike some other amino acids, taurine is a nonessential amino acid.
This means your body can make the taurine it needs, even if you don’t get it from food.

For this reason, there’s no need to supplement taurine.
But because of its potential health benefits, some people might want to get more taurine.
Here we’ll discuss why taurine is important and which foods to look for if you want more of it in your diet.

HOW IS TAURINE GIVEN?
Taurine is given by mouth in the form of a tablet, liquid, capsule, or powder.
Taurine may be given with or without food, but mixing with food may make it easier to administer.
If vomiting occurs when dosed on an empty stomach, give future doses with food.
Measure liquid forms carefully.

Taurine, whose chemical name is 2-aminoethanesulfonic acid, is one of the most abundant amino acids in several organs.
Taurine plays important role in essential biological processes.
This conditional amino acid can be either be manufactured by the body or obtained in the diet mainly by the consumption of fish and meat.
The supplements containing taurine were FDA approved by 1984 and they are hypertonic injections composed by cristalline amino acids.

BENEFITS of TAURINE:
Because of its abundance in the body, its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and its role in energy production, taurine has been studied for its potential role in managing various clinical conditions and improving exercise performance.

***May fight diabetes
Taurine’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties may enhance insulin sensitivity, thereby reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes or improving blood sugar management in those with the condition.
Indeed, one study found that people with diabetes have a 25% lower concentration of taurine than those without diabetes.

This suggests that taurine may have a role in diabetes management.
Although current research on the effects of taurine supplements for diabetes management in humans is limited, a 2018 review suggests that the supplements could be a good therapeutic option for improving blood sugar management in people with diabetes.

The same review also suggests that taurine could have protective effects against diabetes-related complications such as nerve damage, kidney damage, and heart disease.
Still, it’s unknown whether low taurine levels are a cause or a consequence of diabetes, and more research is needed.

***May improve heart health
Taurine supplements have been shown to regulate blood pressure and improve heart function and blood fat levels in people with heart conditions such as heart failure.
At high levels, Taurine may even protect against heart disease.

Research suggests a link between higher taurine levels and reduced cholesterol, lower blood pressure levels, and significantly lower rates of death from heart disease.
In one study, people with heart failure took 500 mg of taurine three times daily for 2 weeks.

They experienced significant reductions in levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and C-reactive protein (CRP) — an inflammatory biomarker — both before and after exercise, compared with those who took a placebo.
In a 12-week study in people with high-normal blood pressure, taking 1.6 grams of taurine per day reduced systolic blood pressure (the top number) by 7.2 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number) by 4.7 mmHg compared with placebo.

Taurine may help reduce high blood pressure by decreasing the resistance of blood flow in your blood vessel walls and by improving the efficiency of skeletal and heart muscle contractions.

***May boost exercise performance
Because of its ability to enhance muscle contraction and delay muscle fatigue, taurine may benefit athletic performance.
What’s more, taurine may increase fat burning during exercise to better fuel your performance.

A review of 19 studies assessing the effects of taurine on athletic performance noted several benefits, including:
*increased oxygen uptake by the body
*increased time to fatigue
*reduced muscle damage
*improved recovery times
*improved strength and power

The review authors suggest that an effective dose to achieve these benefits is 1–3 grams taken 1–3 hours before your workout for at least 6–21 days.
However, the authors also note that taurine’s effects on exercise performance tend to be small and inconsistent.
Thus, more research is needed on the topic.

OTHER HEALTH BENEFITS of TAURINE:
Other potential benefits of taking taurine supplements include:
*May benefit eye health.
Taurine’s antioxidant effects may help combat the oxidative stress associated with retinal degenerative diseases such as age-related macular degeneration.

*May benefit hearing.
Taurine may prevent the hair cells within the ear from becoming damaged, which is a key contributor to hearing loss.

*May offer neuroprotective effects.
The anti-inflammatory effects of taurine may reduce inflammation within the brain and combat neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease.

*May support liver health.
Taurine may have protective effects against chronic and acute liver injury.
Therefore, more research is needed to learn more about taurine’s benefits for human health.

TAURINE FUNCTIONS IN YOUR BODY
Taurine is found in several organs and has widespread benefits.

The main roles of taurine in your body are:
*maintaining proper hydration and electrolyte balance in your cells
*forming bile salts, which play an important role in digestion
*regulating minerals such as calcium within your cells
*supporting the general function of your central nervous system and eyes
*regulating immune system health and antioxidant function

Because taurine is a conditionally essential amino acid, a healthy adult’s body can produce the minimal amount required for these essential daily functions.

However, your body may need larger amounts in times of illness or stress.
This may be the case in people with heart or kidney failure and in premature infants who have been fed intravenously.
These individuals may need to get taurine from food or supplements.

In animal models, taurine deficiency has been shown to cause eye damage, chronic liver disease, muscle weakening, and an increased risk of developing diabetes.

Taurine deficiency in humans is rare, so its effects remain largely unknown.
Still, low taurine levels have similarly been associated with these conditions.

Taurine is a sulfur-containing amino acid that is not involved in protein synthesis but is essential to cardiovascular function and the development and function of the brain, retina, and skeletal muscle.

If you’re an energy drink aficionado, chances are you’ve come across the word “taurine” a time or two.
Sometimes, you see the phrase “With taurine” printed on the can.
In other cases, the drinks proudly announce that they don’t contain the amino acid.

HOW EFFECTIVE IS TAURINE?
Taurine has been proven effective for treating taurine-deficiency diseases and retinal degeneration.
Limited studies have been performed regarding the use of taurine to treat general heart disease, but preliminary studies show taurine’s usefulness as an adjunctive therapy in these cases.
Taurine should take effect after 1-2 doses; however, it can take up to a few weeks before full effects are noted.
Effects may not be visibly noticeable and therefore laboratory tests may need to be done to evaluate if the medication is working.

WHAT TAURINE ISN’T: BULL SPERM
Scientists first identified taurine in bull bile.
And beef is rich in the stuff.
So, it’s not surprising that some people associate the amino acid with bulls.

But for reasons that aren’t entirely clear, a myth has proliferated that the taurine you find in energy drinks comes from bull sperm.
That’s false.
In fact, the taurine found in energy drinks isn’t derived from animals at all: It’s plant based.
There are plenty of reasons to avoid energy drinks, but bull sperm’s not one of them.

BENEFITS of TAURINE:
The health benefits of taurine can be split into two categories: The ones we know about and the claims that — while promising — need more research.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF TAURINE
We don’t know as much about taurine as you might think.
As is the case with most amino acids and supplements, there’s not a tremendous amount of clinical research being done on the topic.
So, when we talk about taurine’s health benefits, we have to be clear about which properties have been established and which properties we’re still trying to confirm.

KNOWN HEALTH BENEFITS
*Maintain proper hydration.
When we say “hydration,” we’re talking about electrolyte balances at the cellular level, particularly in your skin and hair.

*Form bile salts in the liver, which help with digestion.
Bile acids are crucial to our metabolism because they’re responsible for breaking down the fatty acids in your intestines, like triglycerides and cholesterol.

*Regulate mineral levels (specifically calcium) in certain kinds of cells.

*Support the development and functioning of the central nervous system.
Nonhuman studies indicate that taurine protects your brain against aging and the development of certain kinds of neurological conditions.

*Supports your vision.
Taurine is the most abundant amino acid in your retinas and seems to help protect them against degenerative diseases.

*Support your immune system.
Taurine is an antioxidant — meaning it protects cells from inflammatory and oxidative stress.

IS TAURINE SAFE?
Taurine, in certain amounts, is a safe drink ingredient in the United States.
Taurine occurs naturally in foods with protein, such as meat or fish.

The human body uses taurine for actions in cells.
One example is that taurine is used for energy production.

Taurine also helps the body process bile acid and balance fluids, salts and minerals, among other actions.
While taurine in energy drinks may not cause a problem, the other ingredients in these beverages could.

Energy drinks may include caffeine, sugar and other ingredients such as herbal extracts.
Because of that, the safety of these drinks is less clear.

Adults with no underlying health conditions often can tolerate energy drinks.
But in some people, these types of drinks cause dehydration and problems falling asleep.

They also can cause a person to feel nervous and tense.
Most of these issues seem to be from the caffeine in the energy drinks.

Because of the caffeine, children or teens should not drink energy drinks, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Consider tracking the amount of caffeine and sugar from your energy drinks.
It can help you avoid calories and the challenges from too much caffeine.

USES & EFFECTIVENESS of TAURINE:
POSSIBLY EFFECTIVE FOR
Heart failure and fluid build up in the body (congestive heart failure or CHF).
Taking taurine by mouth seems to improve heart function, reduce symptoms, and increase the ability to exercise in people with CHF.
Swelling (inflammation) of the liver (hepatitis).
Taking taurine by mouth might improve liver function in people with hepatitis.

POSSIBLY INEFFECTIVE FOR
Obesity.
Taking taurine by mouth doesn't seem to reduce body weight in people who are overweight or obese.
There is interest in using taurine for a number of other purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.

RESEARCH of TAURINE:
Taurine is not regarded as an essential human dietary nutrient and has not been assigned recommended intake levels.
High-quality clinical studies to determine possible effects of taurine in the body or following dietary supplementation are absent from the literature.
Preliminary human studies on the possible effects of taurine supplementation have been inadequate due to low subject numbers, inconsistent designs, and variable doses.

CHEMICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL FEATURES of TAURINE:
Taurine exists as a zwitterion H3N+CH2CH2SO−3, as verified by X-ray crystallography.
The sulfonic acid has a low pKa ensuring that Taurine is fully ionized to the sulfonate at the pHs found in the intestinal tract.

BIOSYNTHESIS of TAURINE:
Among the diverse pathways by which natural taurine can be biosynthesized, its pathways in the human liver are from cysteine and/or methionine.
With regard to the route from cysteine: mammalian taurine synthesis occurs in the liver via the cysteine sulfinic acid pathway.
In this pathway, cysteine is first oxidized to Taurine's sulfinic acid, catalyzed by the enzyme cysteine dioxygenase.
Cysteine sulfinic acid, in turn, is decarboxylated by sulfinoalanine decarboxylase to form hypotaurine.
Hypotaurine is enzymatically oxidized to yield taurine by hypotaurine dehydrogenase.

Taurine is also produced by the transsulfuration pathway, which converts homocysteine into cystathionine.
The cystathionine is then converted to hypotaurine by the sequential action of three enzymes: cystathionine gamma-lyase, cysteine dioxygenase, and cysteine sulfinic acid decarboxylase.
Hypotaurine is then oxidized to taurine as described above.

A pathway for taurine biosynthesis from serine and sulfate is reported in microalgae, developing chicken embryos, and chick liver.
Serine dehydratase converts serine to 2-aminoacrylate, which is converted to cysteic acid by 3′-phosphoadenylyl sulfate:2-aminoacrylate C-sulfotransferase.
Cysteic acid is converted to taurine by cysteine sulfinic acid decarboxylase.

CHEMICAL SYNTHESIS of TAURINE:
Synthetic taurine is obtained by the ammonolysis of isethionic acid (2-hydroxyethanesulfonic acid), which in turn is obtained from the reaction of ethylene oxide with aqueous sodium bisulfite.
A direct approach involves the reaction of aziridine with sulfurous acid.
In 1993, about 5000–6000 tonnes of taurine were produced for commercial purposes: 50% for pet food and 50% in pharmaceutical applications.
In the laboratory, taurine can be produced by alkylation of ammonia with bromoethanesulfonate salts.

DERIVATIVES of TAURINE:
Taurine is used in the preparation of the anthelmintic drug, Totabin.
Taurolidine.
Taurocholic acid and tauroselcholic acid.
Tauromustine.

5-Taurinomethyluridine and 5-taurinomethyl-2-thiouridine are modified uridines in (human) mitochondrial tRNA.
Tauryl is the functional group attaching at the sulfur, 2-aminoethylsulfonyl.

Taurino is the functional group attaching at the nitrogen, 2-sulfoethylamino.
Thiotaurine.
Peroxytaurine which is a degradation product by both superoxide and heat degradation.

PHYSICAL and CHEMICAL PROPERTIES of TAURINE:
Chemical formula: C2H7NO3S
Molar mass: 125.14 g/mol
Appearance: colorless or white solid
Density: 1.734 g/cm3 (at −173.15 °C)
Melting point: 305.11 °C (581.20 °F; 578.26 K) Decomposes into simple molecules
Acidity (pKa): <0, 9.06
Molecular Weight: 125.15 g/mol
XLogP3-AA: -4.1
Hydrogen Bond Donor Count: 2
Hydrogen Bond Acceptor Count: 4

Rotatable Bond Count: 2
Exact Mass: 125.01466426 Da
Monoisotopic Mass: 125.01466426 Da
Topological Polar Surface Area: 88.8 Ų
Heavy Atom Count: 7
Computed by PubChem: 
Formal Charge: 0

Computed by PubChem: 
Complexity: 120
Isotope Atom Count: 0
Defined Atom Stereocenter Count: 0
Undefined Atom Stereocenter Count: 0
Defined Bond Stereocenter Count: 0
Undefined Bond Stereocenter Count: 0
Covalently-Bonded Unit Count: 1

Compound Is Canonicalized: Yes
Appearance: White to colorless crystalline powder
Odor: Odorless or very mild
pH (in solution): ~4.5–6.0 at 0.5 M in water at 25 °C
Melting Point: >300 °C (literature value)
Density: ~1.00–1.50 g/mL (depending on source/measurement method)
Solubility: Highly soluble in water (e.g., 5–10 g/100 mL at ~23–25 °C); practically insoluble in ethanol/ether
Chemical Stability: Stable under normal temperatures and pressures; incompatible with strong oxidizing agents

Partition Behavior: Low log P (hydrophilic, water-soluble)
CAS Number: 107-35-7
EC (EINECS) Number: 203-483-8
Molecular Formula: C₂H₇NO₃S
Molecular Weight: 125.15 g/mol
IUPAC Name: 2-aminoethanesulfonic acid
SMILES: NCCS(=O)(=O)O
InChIKey: XOAAWQZATWQOTB-UHFFFAOYSA-N

FIRST AID MEASURES of TAURINE:
-Description of first-aid measures
*General advice:
Show this material safety data sheet to the doctor in attendance.
*If inhaled:
After inhalation: 
Fresh air.
*In case of skin contact: 
Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. 
Rinse skin with
water/ shower.
*In case of eye contact:
After eye contact: 
Rinse out with plenty of water. 
Call in ophthalmologist. 
Remove contact lenses.
*If swallowed:
After swallowing: 
Immediately make victim drink water (two glasses at most). 
Consult a physician.
-Indication of any immediate medical attention and special treatment needed.
No data available

ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES of TAURINE:
-Environmental precautions:
Do not let product enter drains.
-Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up:
Cover drains. 
Collect, bind, and pump off spills. 
Observe possible material restrictions. 
Take up dry. 
Dispose of properly. 
Clean up affected area.

FIRE FIGHTING MEASURES of TAURINE:
-Extinguishing media:
*Suitable extinguishing media:
Carbon dioxide (CO2) 
Foam 
Dry powder
*Unsuitable extinguishing media:
For this substance/mixture no limitations of extinguishing agents are given.
-Further information:
Prevent fire extinguishing water from contaminating surface water or the ground water system.

EXPOSURE CONTROLS/PERSONAL PROTECTION of TAURINE:
-Control parameters:
--Ingredients with workplace control parameters:
-Exposure controls:
--Personal protective equipment:
*Eye/face protection:
Use equipment for eye protection. 
Safety glasses
*Body Protection:
protective clothing
*Respiratory protection:
Recommended Filter type: Filter A 
-Control of environmental exposure:
Do not let product enter drains.

HANDLING and STORAGE of TAURINE:
-Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities:
*Storage conditions:
Tightly closed. 
Dry.

STABILITY and REACTIVITY of TAURINE:
-Chemical stability:
The product is chemically stable under standard ambient conditions (room temperature).
-Possibility of hazardous reactions:
No data available