Even if taurine is mostly associated with energy drinks or cat owners know that this substance must be added to food, this aminosulfonic acid is also essential for humans and all other mammals and should not be underestimated.
What is taurine?
But first things first. Taurine is a sulfur-containing compound that occurs naturally in the body of humans and most other mammals.
The name is derived from the Latin taurus, as this compound was isolated from ox bile by two German scientists in 1827. However, the substance itself has nothing to do with the fact that it is only extracted from bulls.
nlike classic amino acids, it is not used to build protein, but fulfills other essential functions. It is found primarily in tissues with high energy requirements such as the brain, heart, muscles and the retina of the eyes. Taurine can also play a role in male and female fertility.
The body can synthesize taurine itself, but the ability to do so decreases with age. It is also found in protein-rich foods such as meat and heart, fish and seafood, while vegan and vegetarian diets often provide only small amounts.
Taurine and scientific studies in humans
While many studies on taurine have been conducted on animals, there are also increasing studies on humans. Some relevant findings:
One study showed that taurine supports cardiovascular health by lowering blood pressure and improving vascular function.
Research on insulin sensitivity suggests that taurine may reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.
A clinical study on athletes found that taurine improves physical performance and recovery after exercise.
Initial studies on longevity suggest that taurine may reduce age-related cell damage, although more research is needed.
Taurine and longevity - what do studies say?
Recently, taurine has become the focus of research as a potential factor for a longer life. A recent study from 2023 showed that taurine can slow down the aging process in mice and other model organisms. The researchers found that taurine supplementation led to improved cell health, less inflammation and better immune function. Whether these results can be transferred to humans is currently being further investigated.
Taurine for dogs and cats
While the dog's body can synthesize taurine itself, the cat is one of the few creatures, if not the only one, that cannot synthesize taurine itself. It is therefore imperative that cats ingest taurine with their diet. Any cat food that is declared as a complete feed must contain taurine. The amounts contained vary greatly. However, taurine is not very heat-resistant, which is why additional supplementation with taurine is recommended by pet nutritionists and animal health practitioners..
A lack of taurine in cat food can lead to various deseases. Examples: eye diseases up to blindness (due to the detachment of the retina), heart diseases (e.g. DCM), deafness, muscle diseases, fertility problems. The first symptoms can be permanent hair loss.
"In nature, cats don't get taurine sprinkled over their caught mice!" That's correct. In nature, cats eat mice. And that has also been scientifically researched. Mice contain an extremely high amount of taurine, which cats absorb and therefore rarely suffer from a taurine deficiency.
The issue of heart disease is particularly relevant for dog owners! There are already studies that show that feeding taurine can help dogs with heart disease (DCM).
Taurine as Supplement
Nowadays, synthetic taurine is mainly used in food supplements because it can be dosed better and is also cheaper than other taurine-containing products (such as green-lipped mussel or heart).
Caution: Pure taurine should be used with caution and dissolved in liquid before consumption.
Disclaimer
For legal reasons, we would like to point out that some of the above statements require further research and studies to scientifically prove them. Therefore, not all statements can currently be accepted by conventional medicine.