Taurine
2 g · Daily
Evidence
- Human Studies
- 40
- Animal Studies
- 50
- Clinical Status
- Dietary Supplement
- Confidence
- Low
- Long-Term Safety
- Well-tolerated in the human trials that exist (mostly athletic performance, not longevity); the longevity-specific evidence generating recent interest is still primarily animal data
What this score is: a measure of how much research exists and how far along it is (animal-only vs. human trials, research-stage vs. FDA approved) — not how safe, effective, or worth trying a compound is. A low score usually means “early stage” or “understudied,” not “bad.” A high score doesn’t mean “better” for your goals than a lower-scored one.
This is not my personal rating of the compound, not a recommendation, and not medical advice. It’s a general research synthesis for informational purposes only, not a live literature count. See the linked research and talk to a licensed clinician before making decisions based on it.
Mechanism
Taurine is a conditionally essential amino acid involved in bile salt formation, cellular osmoregulation, and antioxidant defense. A widely covered 2023 animal study found declining taurine levels correlated with aging markers and that supplementation extended healthspan in mice — human evidence for longevity specifically is still very preliminary despite the popular press coverage.
Common Protocols
- 1–3 g daily, commonly split into doses
- Athletic-performance trials have used similar doses around exercise
Side Effects
- Generally very well-tolerated
- Mild GI upset at high doses
Interactions
- No well-characterized interactions at standard doses
Practical Details
- Cost
- $
- Typical Dose
- 2 g
- Storage
- Store in a cool, dry place
Research Links
Amino acid with renewed longevity research interest; also a common energy-drink ingredient at much lower doses