Taurine

From MEpedia, a crowd-sourced encyclopedia of ME and CFS science and history

Taurine or 2-aminoethanesulfonic acid or Tau is non-essential amino acid, meaning dietary sources are not needed and it can be created by the body from other amino acids.[1][2] Taurine, methionine, cysteine and homocysteine are the sulphur-containing amino acids.[2]

Potential uses[edit | edit source]

Taurine is has a number of functions in skeletal muscle, in the retina of the eyes, and in the central nervous system. Taurine supports the digestion of dietary fat and may also be relevant to fat metabolism.[3]

Theory[edit | edit source]

Evidence[edit | edit source]

Clinicians[edit | edit source]

Risks and side effects[edit | edit source]

Clinical trials of taurine supplements have not been carried out for ME/CFS patients, so side effects and safety is largely unknown.

In healthy people, side effects of taurine have not been established, but supplemental intakes of up to 3 grams per day have been found to be safe.[2]

Costs and availability[edit | edit source]

Taurine is widely available and inexpensive, it is found in different foods including shellfish and dark meat, and non-animal sources of taurine are also sold as nutritional supplements or added to energy drinks, gum or snacks.

See also[edit | edit source]

Learn more[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. Lopez, Michael J.; Mohiuddin, Shamim S. (2022). Biochemistry, Essential Amino Acids. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing. PMID 32496725.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Shao, Andrew; Hathcock, John N. (April 1, 2008). "Risk assessment for the amino acids taurine, l-glutamine and l-arginine". Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology. 50 (3): 376–399. doi:10.1016/j.yrtph.2008.01.004. ISSN 0273-2300.
  3. Germain, Arnaud; Ruppert, David; Levine, Susan M.; Hanson, Maureen R. (December 2018). "Prospective Biomarkers from Plasma Metabolomics of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Implicate Redox Imbalance in Disease Symptomatology". Metabolites. 8 (4): 90. doi:10.3390/metabo8040090.