Typical dose
500-3000 mg daily, often divided into 2-3 doses....
Oral
Oral safety: harmless
About this supplement
Taurine (free form) is a conditionally essential sulfur-containing amino acid that is not incorporated into proteins. Unlike standard amino acids, it exists primarily in its free form within tissues and bodily fluids, particularly in high concentrations in the heart, brain, retina, and skeletal muscle. It plays crucial roles in bile acid conjugation, osmoregulation, membrane stabilization, calcium signaling modulation, and antioxidant defense. The 'free form' designation indicates it is not bound to other amino acids in peptide chains, making it readily bioavailable for physiological functions. It is synthesized endogenously from methionine and cysteine but may become conditionally essential during stress, illness, or for certain populations.
How much to take
- Typical amount
- 500-3000 mg daily, often divided into 2-3 doses. Typical energy drink content: 500-1000 mg per serving.
- Suggested range
- 500-6000 mg daily
Potential benefits
Benefits linked to this supplement form:
Things to watch for
Possible side effects linked to this form:
Health goals
Needs and goals this form may help with:
Other forms of Taurine
Compare absorption and active amounts with sibling forms:
Technical details â–¼
Chemical ID (CAS)
107-35-7
Formula
C2H7NO3S
Physical properties
White crystalline powder or colorless prismatic crystals. Odorless. Freely soluble in water, insoluble in absolute ethanol, ether, and acetone. Melting point: above 300°C (decomposes). Stable under normal storage conditions.
How it’s made
Primarily produced synthetically via the reaction of ethylene oxide with sodium bisulfite to form isethionic acid, followed by amination. It can also be isolated from natural sources like bovine bile or seafood, but commercial supplement-grade taurine is almost exclusively synthetic due to cost and scalability.