Taurine

Also known as taurin.

Last reviewed October 9, 2026 · Jump to references

What is Taurine?

In plain words

Taurine is an amino acid that your body makes and that occurs naturally in foods such as meat and seafood. Your body uses it to help digest fats and keep cells working normally, especially in the heart, muscles, and eyes. Researchers study it for heart health, blood sugar control, and aging. Evidence that taurine supplements slow aging in humans is not established.

Technical definition

Taurine (2-aminoethanesulfonic acid) is an endogenous sulfur-containing amino acid that is not incorporated into proteins and is also obtained from animal-derived foods. Rather than acting through one primary receptor, it supports bile acid conjugation, cellular osmotic balance, calcium regulation, and membrane stability, and can modulate glycine and GABA-A receptors in experimental systems. It is marketed as a dietary supplement in the United States, where supplements are not FDA-approved to treat or prevent disease.

Educational information only. This page does not provide medical advice or determine whether a supplement is appropriate for you. Review supplements with a qualified healthcare professional, especially if you take medication, are pregnant, have surgery scheduled, or have a chronic medical condition.

Evidence by use

Each use is rated on its own. There is no single overall effectiveness score.