Amino Acid Amino Acids Oral

Taurine

A conditionally essential amino acid that supports cardiovascular function, neurological health, and cellular hydration.

Sci.2-aminoethanesulfonic acid taurine-citric acid l-taurine akg taurine alpha-ketoglutarate Taurine alpha-ketoglutarate taurine ketoisocaproic calcium Taurine Alpha-ketoisocaproate taurine aakg Taurine arginine alpha-ketoglutarate
6 forms
Oral

About Taurine

Taurine is a sulfur-containing amino acid that is conditionally essential, synthesized by the body but may require dietary intake under certain conditions. It is not incorporated into proteins but is found freely in tissues, especially in the heart, retina, skeletal muscle, and brain. Taurine plays vital roles in osmoregulation, bile acid conjugation, calcium signaling, membrane stabilization, and antioxidant activity. It is predominantly found in animal-based foods and is commonly added to energy drinks.

Official resources

Fact sheets from the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements related to this ingredient group.

Dietary Supplement Label Database

Ingredient group data in NutriNav is aligned with the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD).

DSLD group id
2060

At a glance

Suggested daily

No official RDA or RDI established. Typical dietary intake ranges from 40 to 400 mg daily, with some research suggesting beneficial intakes of 1-3 grams daily for specific conditions.

Max safe daily

No official UL established. Doses up to 3 grams daily are generally considered safe for most adults, although higher intakes may cause gastrointestinal discomfort.

Approval status

GRAS

Compare All Forms

6 forms

Compare supplement forms of Taurine by absorption quality and what your body actually gets from each:

High Moderate Low
Form Absorption Steps to absorb Notes Action
Taurine (free form)

Conditionally essential amino acid; important for heart, bra...

  • UNII: 1EQV5MLY3D
  • CAS: 107-35-7
 — — — View →
Taurine alpha-ketoglutarate — — — View →
Taurine Alpha-ketoisocaproate — — — View →
Taurine arginine alpha-ketoglutarate — — — View →
Taurine citric acid

Amino acid compound supporting energy metabolism, antioxidan...

  • DSLD group id: 7964
  • Label category: synthetic
 — — — View →
Taurine Magnesium Chelate

Amino acid-chelated magnesium for enhanced absorption and to...

  • Label category: synthetic
 — — — View →

Also appears on labels as

Additional names seen on supplement labels for forms of this ingredient (beyond the main aliases above).

Aminoethylsulfonic Acid, L-Taurine, Magnesium Taurate, Magnesium Taurinate, Taurine (unconjugated), taurine citrate, Taurine Magnesium Complex

Type: Amino Acids

Building blocks of proteins. Essential amino acids must be obtained from diet, while non-essential can be synthesized by the body.

Absorption: Amino acids are generally well-absorbed. Some forms (like citrulline) are more effective than others (like arginine).

Interactions: Generally safe but high doses can cause digestive issues. Some amino acids can affect neurotransmitter levels.

Watch out for

Possible interactions or cautions — talk to a healthcare provider if unsure.

  • May potentiate effects of antihypertensive or hypoglycemic drugs.
  • May interact with lithium by increasing its excretion.

Potential Benefits

Benefits associated with Taurine forms:

Heart Health Hydration Calmness Cardiovascular Support Neurological & Cognitive Support Exercise Performance & Recovery

And 8 more benefits...

Potential Side Effects

Side effects associated with Taurine forms:

None How serious: None Allergic Reaction How serious: Moderate Gastrointestinal Discomfort How serious: low Potential Drug Interactions How serious: medium Renal Load in Severe Kidney Disease How serious: medium Drug Interactions How serious: medium

And 1 more side effect...

What does the research say?

Research indicates that taurine is important for cardiovascular health, neurological function, and cellular hydration, with typical dietary intake ranging from 40 to 400 mg daily, and higher intakes suggested for specific conditions.