Taurine - What is it?

What is Taurine?

Taurine is a naturally occurring amino acid commonly found in animal tissues, including the human body. Although it is not an essential amino acid (produced in the human body from other amino acids), Taurine has several vital physiological functions. These functions include regulating the immune system, maintaining cell membranes, and modulating neurotransmitter activity and the metabolism of fats.

Whether synthetically made or extracted from animal sources, such as cow bile, Taurine has several manufacturing routes. The most common method for synthesizing Taurine involves reacting ethylene oxide with sodium bisulfite to produce taurine sulfonic acid and then converted to Taurine.

Taurine is readily available in several applications, including as a dietary supplement, energy drink ingredient, and pharmaceuticals. Additionally, Taurine is within the manufacturing of pet food and other animal feeds. This use range is due to its ability to enhance physical and mental performance. Food and beverage industries often add it to energy drinks, nutritional supplements, and functional foods. This addition is usually as a flavour enhancer, acidity regulator, and antioxidant. It is also used in pet food to help support heart health.

In the pharmaceutical industry, various medications use Taurine due to its ability to regulate neurotransmitters and aid in conditions such as epilepsy and anxiety. Additionally, Taurine has been shown to have potential benefits for skin health and is in cosmetic products such as skin creams and hair care products. In the industrial sector, it is used in various chemicals and in animal feed to help support growth and health.