10 replies to this topic

[Ghostrider]

Has anyone ever tried Taurine? Does it provide a sense of energy and alertness? How does it affect concentration? It received a good review from Bulk Nutrition, but wanted to ask around some more before purchasing.

[Shepard]

Taurine is good stuff. I've never noticed any mental effects from it, though. I only use 3-5 grams daily. I know liorrh is a big fan of it, but he uses higher doses IIRC.

[superpooper]

It's good for copper poisoning, like in my case.

[arcticjoe]

Great sup, not sure if there are any effects on cognition but its very good for preventing hangovers. Watch out tho, eating more than 4 grams in one setting will give you the most stankiest gas that you ever experienced.

[Shepard]

I'm not sure taurine will give you any mental effects, but it's great for rehydration and is very useful in sport. Other than that there is not much benefit in taking taurine if your not into sport (well it's also useful for those with heart problems).

Actually, it looks like taurine could be useful for lots of things.

[FunkOdyssey]

Actually, it looks like taurine could be useful for lots of things.

Definitely. I actually think what is most interesting and significant about taurine are its anti-glycation properties (that's why I began using it).

[kottke]

Taurine is an inhibotory transmitter and may slow your mental thinking. I used to take it before bed and didnt notice an amazing effect. I was only taking 500mg-1g though.

[FunkOdyssey]

If you search pubmed for taurine + glycation, you'll turn up alot of information. Here's a good one:

Acta Physiol Scand. 2004 Jul;181(3):297-303.  Related Articles, Links
    Click here to read
    Stimulation of glucose utilization and inhibition of protein glycation and AGE products by taurine.

    Nandhini AT, Thirunavukkarasu V, Anuradha CV.

    Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu, India.

    AIM: Pathological effects of the process of non-enzymatic glycation of proteins are reflected in chronic complications of diabetes mellitus. We investigated the antiglycating effect of taurine in high fructose fed rats in vivo and the inhibiting potency of taurine in the process of in vitro glycation. Additionally, we investigated whether taurine enhances glucose utilization in the rat diaphragm. METHODS: Rats fed a high fructose diet (60% total calories) were provided 2% taurine solution for 30 days. The effects of taurine on plasma glucose, fructosamine, protein glycation and glycosylated haemoglobin in high fructose rats were determined. For in vitro glycation a mixture of 25 mm glucose and 25 mm fructose was used as glycating agent, bovine serum albumin as the model protein and taurine as the inhibitor. Incubations were carried out in a constant temperature bath at 37 degrees C for 3-30 days. Amadori products and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) formed were measured. In vitro utilization of glucose was carried out in the rat diaphragm in the presence and absence of insulin in which taurine was used as an additive. RESULTS: The contents of glucose, glycated protein, glycosylated haemoglobin and fructosamine were significantly lowered by taurine treatment to high fructose rats. Taurine prevented in vitro glycation and the accumulation of AGEs. Furthermore, taurine enhanced glucose utilization in the rat diaphragm. This effect was additive to that of insulin and did not interfere with the action of insulin. CONCLUSIONS: These results underline the potential use of taurine as a therapeutic supplement for the prevention of diabetic pathology.

    PMID: 15196090