soreness DOMS. In a randomized, placebo-controlled trial, subjects who took taurine along with branched-chain amino acids BCAAs reported less muscle soreness and faster recovery than those taking a placebo. The combination appeared to attenuate creatine kinase levels, a biomarker of muscle damage.
One of my favourite topics! Longevity. Taurine ' s effect on antioxidants and anti-aging effects are nothing short of amazing. Aging is associated with increased oxidative stress and chronic low-grade inflammation. Both contributors to age-related diseases. Taurine exerts strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects that could mitigate these processes. It scavenges free radicals, protects mitochondria, and reduces the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. I turn amplifying mitochondrial health. Mitochondria are the powerhouses of cells and play a crucial role in fat loss, performance recovery, and most importantly, aging. Dysfunctional mitochondria contribute to decreased energy production and the development of diseases such as Alzheimer’ s, Parkinson’ s, and type 2 diabetes. Taurine has been found to
preserve mitochondrial function and enhance ATP production. A study in Cell Reports 2023, demonstrated that taurine supplementation improved mitochondrial health and extended lifespan in multiple species, including mice and worms. While human studies are ongoing, these findings are promising.
What about our most important muscles? Remember my article from a few years back“ the heart of the matter”. If you missed it, go back and give it a read. Taurine supports cardiovascular health through its blood pressure-lowering, anti-atherogenic, and lipid-lowering effects. Populations with high taurine intake, such as in Japan, the Inuit and people across the world who eat a mainly animal based protein, animal fats little to no hyper processed food diets exhibit lower rates of heart disease and longer lifespans. A 2009 study in Hypertension Research found that taurine significantly reduced blood pressure in prehypertensive individuals. Its mechanisms include improved nitric oxide production, reduced sympathetic nervous system activity, and enhanced endothelial function.