Last verified: 17 days ago
L-Taurine
Also known as: taurine, 2-aminoethanesulfonic acid, amino sulfonic acid
Evidence under review. — Not yet rated
Amino acid with antioxidant and neuroprotective properties. Human evidence is limited and mixed.
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What it does
L-Taurine is a naturally occurring amino sulfonic acid found throughout the body, especially in the brain, heart, and muscles. It has antioxidant and membrane-stabilizing properties that may...
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Evidence quality
Evidence base hasn't been formally rated yet. See research below.
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Clinical dose
No established dose from provided studies
What the Science Says
L-Taurine is a naturally occurring amino sulfonic acid found throughout the body, especially in the brain, heart, and muscles. It has antioxidant and membrane-stabilizing properties that may support neurological function and reduce oxidative stress. Human clinical trial data from the provided studies is limited — one RCT found no significant benefit for fatigue in cirrhosis patients overall, though a subgroup without anemia showed a large effect that needs confirmation.
What It Doesn't Do
Not proven to reduce fatigue in most people. No evidence from these studies that it builds muscle or boosts athletic performance on its own. The pre-workout study showed caffeine alone outperformed a taurine-containing multi-ingredient blend. Don't expect it to cure neurological conditions — neuroprotective findings come from animal models only.
Evidence-Based Benefits
Protects against drug-induced memory loss and hyperactivity in zebrafish models.
Weak EvidenceEffective at: 42–400 mg/L (animal model; human equivalent unknown)
Supporting studies (click to view on PubMed):
Did not significantly reduce fatigue in most cirrhosis patients in a clinical trial.
Weak EvidenceEffective at: 1000 mg/day for 12 weeks
Supporting studies (click to view on PubMed):
Supports early human embryo development to the blastocyst stage in lab conditions.
Weak EvidenceEffective at: 5 mmol/L (in vitro; not applicable to oral supplementation)
Supporting studies (click to view on PubMed):
Absorption & Bioavailability
Unknown — no pharmacokinetic data provided in the supplied studies
Red Flags to Watch For
- Commonly added to protein powders as a cheap filler to inflate amino acid content — a known adulteration tactic
- Most neuroprotective and antioxidant findings come from animal studies (zebrafish, rats, chickens), not humans
- The only human RCT was open-label (not blinded), limiting reliability of patient-reported fatigue outcomes
- Subgroup benefit in cirrhosis patients without anemia was a post hoc finding — not pre-specified and not yet confirmed
Products Containing L-Taurine
See how L-Taurine is used in these analyzed products:
Frequently Asked Questions
What does L-Taurine do?
Amino acid with antioxidant and neuroprotective properties. Human evidence is limited and mixed.
What is the effective dose of L-Taurine?
No established dose from provided studies
Is L-Taurine safe?
Commonly added to protein powders as a cheap filler to inflate amino acid content — a known adulteration tactic
What doesn't L-Taurine do?
Not proven to reduce fatigue in most people.
Research Sources
- PubMed
- NIH DSLD
This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement regimen. Last updated: 2026-05-25