This guide is all about the best taurine supplements, and how they can benefit your health.
What is Taurine?
Taurine is an amino acid that is sometimes called the “wonder molecule” by researchers because it is an extremely beneficial amino acid for your health. Found in the body naturally, it tends to be more highly concentrated in the brain, heart, eyes and muscles. It is semi-essential and not involved in the synthesis of proteins. It contains sulfur and is important to the metabolization of fats.
Taurine also plays a role in certain metabolic processes, such as detoxification, bile acid conjugation, membrane stabilization, modulation of cellular calcium levels, and osmoregulation. In simple terms, it helps regulate the levels of water and minerals in the blood and supports neurological development.
It was first isolated and discovered by two German scientists in 1827 from the bile of an ox. The name comes from the Latin root taurus, which means bull or ox. This is why there are rumors that taurine comes from bull pee or bull semen. Do not despair, taurine is not extracted from bull pee or semen and Snopes.com has dedicated an article to this debunking this claim.
Taurine is found naturally in fish, meat, breast milk and is often used in energy drinks and infant formula. It is used in energy drinks because studies show that taurine may enhance athletic performance. The taurine used in supplements and products is produced synthetically and is not derived from any animal or food product.
All of the world’s longest living populations have a high dietary intake of taurine, which has researchers very interested in its benefits. One of these populations includes the population of Okinawa island in Japan, which has been coined Japan’s “Island of Longevity.” There are many taurine health benefits, and supplementing with taurine can support your cardiovascular health and immune system health, and may enhance athletic performance.
Benefits of Taurine
The overall benefits of taurine include:
* May help improve athletic performance
* May help balance electrolytes
* Supports the immune system
* Acts as an inflammatory agent
* Functions as an antioxidant
* May help detoxify the body
* May help balance the body
* Supports overall health
Overall, taurine helps balance the body which promotes better health holistically. Taking taurine supplements can improve your mental and physical well-being, resulting in better overall health and improved quality of life. If you are looking to improve your health holistically, the best taurine supplements can help you achieve optimal health.
Who Can Benefit from Taking Taurine?
* Athletes – Strong taurine supplements are known to enhance athletic performance by enhancing physical and mental abilities. It improves mental performance by enhancing one’s ability to concentrate, which is highly beneficial for an endurance athlete, because endurance is half a mental game. Physically, taurine has been shown to improve oxygen transport and use in the body, which can improve endurance exercise duration. A study conducted in 2003 showed that taurine can significantly increase the maximum capacity of a person’s body to transport and use oxygen. It also supports the balance of electrolytes in the body which improves stamina. The researchers attributed this result to taurine’s antioxidant and cellular health properties. It can also help to prevent or alleviate muscle cramping.
How to Take Taurine
Taurine is effective at dosages between 500 mg and 2000 mg. It is also water soluble, which means it does not have to be taken with food. It can be taken at any time of the day that is convenient for you. Some athletes suggest taking it as a pre workout.
Are There Any Side Effects?
There are no common or consistent side effects of taurine, and most people will not experience any side effects at all. As with any supplement or new food item, it may cause gastrointestinal side effects, but this has not been frequently reported.
Things to Look for in a Good Taurine Supplement
When looking for a good taurine supplement, you should pay attention to multiple different aspects of the product. The first and most important thing to evaluate is what is actually in the supplement. The best taurine supplements will provide you with a quality taurine dosage, and will not use proprietary blends and fillers.
For taurine, you also want to look for a supplement that is available in powder form, because a raw taurine powder can be measured into different dosages depending on your needs. Taurine pills with smaller doses per pill work well, also. With taurine, having that flexibility is a benefit, because it allows you to personalize your dose.
Another important aspect to pay attention to is the brand. The reputation of a brand is important to note when searching for an effective taurine supplement. A reliable brand will be entirely transparent about what they put in their product, and they generally will not use things such as “proprietary blends” or “complexes” in their products. They also will be upfront about their manufacturing facilities, and many reliable brands will tell you that they follow FDA guidelines or they are GMP certified.
Finally, you should evaluate the value of the product through comparison to other products. If the value of the product does not seem to match the price, it may not be the best choice. The best taurine supplements are honestly priced, and give the customer a quality product at an affordable price.
