Side Effects of Taurine

Taurine is often included in energy drinks to give people a boost and to provide health benefits. Studies have shown no significant side effects with normal amounts. Taurine may, however, interact with different types of medications, so anyone taking prescription drugs should talk with a physician before beginning taurine supplements.

Identification

• Taurine is an amino acid that is found in muscle and nerve tissue. Usually a person's body produces all the taurine it needs, and so this substance is classified as a non-essential amino acid. Under certain conditions, however, a person might need extra taurine, such as during physical exertion, injury, or illness. Taurine occurs in animal-based high-protein foods such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs and dairy products.

Theories/Speculation

• Taurine supplements are theorized to have several benefits, although research has not confirmed any of these. Adding extra taurine to one's diet may increase physical endurance and reaction times, enhance concentration and alertness, improve memory, strengthen the heart muscle, reduce blood pressure, assist in hydration during exercise and prevent cataracts.

Effects

• Studies have shown no significant negative side effects in taurine dosages up to 6 grams a day. Energy drink levels of taurine typically are between 50 to 100 milligrams. Excess taurine is eliminated in the urine. One potential positive side effect associated with taurine supplements is for people undergoing chemotherapy. Certain chemotherapy medications can severely decrease a patient's taurine levels, and taurine supplementation may make the patient feel better. Chemotherapy patients should speak with their doctors before beginning taurine supplements.

Warning

• Because taurine may lower cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar, people taking medications to achieve these goals should talk to their doctor before taking taurine supplements. Taurine also may act as a blood thinner, so anyone taking anticoagulants also should speak to a doctor if considering supplements. Physicians also advise people with epilepsy and anyone with bipolar disorder to avoid adding extra taurine to their diets.

Considerations

• It is unclear whether extra taurine in the diet has any effects on women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Because so little research has been done, physicians advise these women to avoid taurine as a supplement. Taurine in food has never been shown to cause any problem with pregnancy, but the taurine in energy drinks and other supplements is included in a much higher amount than normal, and may be of a synthetic form.