Taurine is a type of amino acid that is synthesized in our body. It is also obtained through our diet from high-protein foods. Taurine plays a role in various physiological and metabolic functions. Circulating levels of taurine decrease with aging and lower levels may correlate with higher dementia risk. However, small clinical trials testing taurine interventions have not shown benefits to cognitive function in humans. While taurine supplementation is generally thought to be safe, it does interact with some medications, alcohol, and caffeine.
Clinical trials testing taurine interventions have been small and have not shown benefits to cognitive function in humans. Our search identified:
Higher levels of blood taurine levels have been associated with lower risk of dementia [1]. However, clinical trials testing taurine interventions have included only small numbers of subjects, and so far, have not yielded cognitive benefits. In a pilot double-blind randomized controlled trial of 17 college entrance examinees, taurine treatment for 2 weeks did not significantly affect measures of learning [2]. In a controlled clinical trial of 48 elderly women, taurine supplementation alone or combined with physical exercise for 14 weeks did not significantly alter cognitive function [3]. In an open-label clinical study of 26 elderly people, taurine treatment for 4 weeks failed to improve cognitive function [4]. Although some measures of memory were improved after the 4-week intervention compared to at baseline, the study was not placebo-controlled, and therefore, placebo effects and practice effects could not be ruled out. Larger, longer-duration, rigorously designed clinical trials are needed to establish whether taurine has effects on cognitive function or brain health.
In an open-label controlled clinical study of 46 elderly women with dementia, an intervention including taurine for 4 weeks improved dementia scores compared to baseline [5]. However, because this was an open-label study and the scores were not directly compared with those of the control group, cognitive score improvements could be due to placebo effects and/or practice effects. To date, no rigorously designed randomized controlled trials have evaluated the efficacy of taurine in dementia patients.
Taurine is a natural compound synthesized in our body and is present in many high-protein foods, such as dark meat and seafood [6]. Clinical trials have reported that taurine treatment (usually 1-6 g/day) is generally well-tolerated [7; 8; 9]. Adverse events such as gastrointestinal discomfort and fatigue were mild and comparable to those experienced with placebo treatment [10].
Taurine may interact with anti-hypertensive medications, anesthetics, acetaminophen, phenobarbital, and other medications [6; 11]. It is worth noting that energy drinks that contain taurine may cause a different collection of adverse events as they contain many compounds beyond taurine, such as caffeine. Studies have shown that energy drinks that contain taurine and caffeine may increase blood pressure, heart rate, and an electrocardiogram measure associated with heart arrhythmia (QTc prolongation) [12; 13].
NOTE: This is not a comprehensive safety evaluation or complete list of potentially harmful drug interactions. It is important to discuss safety issues with your physician before taking any new supplement or medication.
Taurine can be obtained from the diet, such as dark meat, seafood (scallops, clams, octopi, abalone, and fish), dairy products, and seaweed [6]. Taurine is also available as a supplement and is often an ingredient in energy drinks. Most clinical trials have tested taurine doses between 1-6 grams, daily, orally. For athletic performance, ingestion 60-120 minutes before exercise may be recommended for peak taurine bioavailability [14].
Full scientific report (PDF) on Cognitive Vitality Reports