If you’re trying to lose weight and increase your longevity, you know the importance of exercise and diet. But, if your diet is rich in vegetables, you probably have low taurine levels. As we age, the production of taurine amino acids by the body also decreases. Why is this a problem? According to Life Extension(1) magazine, it is necessary for improving heart health, immunity, hearing function, insulin sensitivity, and electrolyte balance. In animal studies, it reduced mortality by nearly 80%. In humans, the cultures with the greatest longevity all have high taurine consumption. People with high taurine have much lower blood pressure and lower rates of death from heart disease.

In terms of weight loss, they report a study in which just 3 grams per day of taurine for 7 weeks resulted in significant weight loss for overweight people. They also register decreases in triglycerides and cholesterol. Taurine promotes glucose tolerance which helps reduce weight. This is especially important for diabetics, as taurine helps prevent and even reverse diabetic abnormalities and prevents heart muscle damage (1).

Taurine also protects your vision and hearing. Age-related vision loss is common among Americans, but not in all cultures. This amino acid has very high concentrations in the retina that naturally decrease with age. Although many things affect vision, adequate taurine levels help prevent vision deterioration. Americans also tend to have hearing loss with age. Most of this damage comes to the nerve cells in the inner ear due to low calcium flow. Amazing as it is, taurine restores the flow of calcium that restores hearing loss from that source. Related studies also report that ringing in the ears caused by tinnitus can be stopped.

Additional benefits for athletes have revealed that cyclists can ride longer distances with less fatigue. Taurine appears to help muscles perform at a higher level for longer periods without risk of injury. Increases “muscle contractility” or the force that muscle fibers use to push and pull. The result is that your muscles are stronger. One of the main causes of muscle fatigue is lactic acid. That stiff feeling your muscles get when you start too fast. Taurine helps reduce lactic acid thus increasing your stamina.

Since the aging body cannot produce enough taurine, other methods must be used. Taurine can be incorporated into your diet, but you would need to eat more meat. One of the foods with the highest taurine content is fish and shellfish (with mackerel in the lead). Chicken, beef, and lamb are also good sources of this amino acid, especially organ meats. But, if you are a dedicated vegetarian or vegan, you probably want to consider supplements. Studies tell us that as little as 1.5 grams a day is enough to restore healthy levels. If you are a light meat eater, you may still want to consider a supplement as a substantial amount of meat is needed to balance your levels. johnson

Macleavy, I.The forgotten longevity benefits of taurine. Life Extension Magazine. June 2013. Retrieved on 9-28-2015 from: lifeextension.com/magazine/2013/6/The-Forgotten-Longevity-Benefits-of-Taurine/Page-01