Taurine

[neonhypoxia]

Since my previous post on taurine kept getting deleted I though I'de make a thread about it as it is one of the supplements I like alot and I would rather not see false information about it going around. I don't wish to start anything about what happened with my previous post on it, so if you have a comment or question with regard to that PM me instead of adding a post here.

First off taurine decreases BP by allowing your kidneys to excrete sodium more easily and making it easier to retain potassium. Its important to note that it doesn't force them to do this like many diuretics do, but rather it simply makes it easier for the kidneys to do it. This means that taurine is not hard on your kidneys, infact it is good for them, and it also means that it will not cause BP to drop dangerously low nor will it cause dehydration for the vast majority of people. Its probably one of the safest ways to lower BP.

Taurine does play a major role in the CNS. It acts as a competitive antagonist for glutamate. Glutamate toxicity is one of the major factors in age related cognitive decline, and studies in lab animals are extremely promising with respect to that, although it is by far not a miracle drug. Taurine also increases endogenous GABA production. Its important to note that it does not force GABA productions but instead makes it easier for your body to produce it meaning that there is no downregulation of GABA receptors. Not only that but there is no downregulation of GABA producing neurons and infact taurine protects those cells from damage. It has been suggested that because of its effects on GABA taurine my increase production of hGH, however I've yet to see a study suggesting this is true. Taurine always shows little to no effect in vivo in the production of dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine, despite what someone else previously stated.

Because of it effects on the CNS taurine can be used to increase endurance as I'm sure you all know, as well as being an effective sleep aid for some people. Additionaly taurine can be used to help manage the symptoms of OCD, bipolar disorder, tourette's, ADD/ADHD, and schizophrenia. However again it is not some miracle drug but rather can be used with other medication to help "take the edge off" and make symptoms more manageble.

Taurine is a major component of bile acid meaning that it plays a role in protecting the liver from damage. Milk thistle and artichoke extract both work by increasing bile production, so I recommend using taurine as well as choline along with them to provide the raw materials to make bile production easier. Actually add in some NAC, and some TMG or SAMe to that and you have a d*mn good liver support stack for a cycle.

Additionaly taurine plays a major role in the formation and stability of cellular membranes although it isn't completely understood what its role is and what exactly it does. However this is probably one of the methods in which taurine reduced insulin resistance. Most likely it is simply making it easier for GLUT4 receptors to attach to the cell wall. This means that taurine can be use to help lower high BG in diabetics as well as helping to delay the onset of diabetes. Although it is not at all a substitute for a proper diet and exercise. One important issue about taurines role in BG levels is that just like with BP it will not drop levels below where they should be. Again making taurine very safe for this role. However it should be noted that if you are on meds for high BG you must check your BG before adminstering those meds as taurine can lower BG and your normal dose of meds may be too high leading to hypoglycemia which is not at all fun.

[mw1]

^^^ Great info!!! I was just about to PM you a question about taurine last night, however you seemed to answer it here.

[littlrook]

neon- you mention taurine as a sleep aid. is this do to the gaba interactions or the decrease in bg or none of the above

[B-natural]

Originally Posted by littlrook

neon- you mention taurine as a sleep aid. is this do to the gaba interactions or the decrease in bg or none of the above

Let's hope its not the bg interaction, otherwise that sounds like it creates a hypoglycemic type issue, and you more than likely are "passing out" versus actually falling asleep.

[littlrook]

unless it lowers it only so slightly as to not go hypo. i was thinking like on ckd when you carb up at night, the release of insulin helps people to relax/sleep easier

[rev2217]

nice post neon...

[neonhypoxia]

Originally Posted by littlrook

neon- you mention taurine as a sleep aid. is this do to the gaba interactions or the decrease in bg or none of the above

Mostly likely it is because of its effects on GABA and glutamate. I'm not at all sure on this, but I do know that high amounts of carbs can increase seratonin production so I'de have to guess that's the reason carbing up helps with sleep.

[B-natural]

I was unaware higher carb intakes increased serotonin production. Any info on mechanism of action as well as some factor on how high we are talking?

[littlrook]

not sure on the mechanism, but i know when i "save my carbs" until dinner, it only take 30-40g. this is when im full blown keto though. nothing but efa's and protien until dinner

[neonhypoxia]

Originally Posted by B-natural

I was unaware higher carb intakes increased serotonin production. Any info on mechanism of action as well as some factor on how high we are talking?

How high depends upon the person, how many carbs they just ate, how many they are use to eating, crap like that.

As for the MoA there are a few suggested ones. The most popular is that the insulin release, and not a drop in BG, causes it, but how it does this isn't known. Another is that its somehow being released from the GI track as it does contain most of the body's serotonin, and thus the tryptophan to manufacture it. Either of these two would explain why consuming protein doesn't cause it as high levels of other amino acids will compete for uptake across the BBB. The other idea has to do with the fact that eating carbohydrates is known to cause a release of endogenous canaboids, however that one doesn't explain why protein won't cause an increase in serotonin production as even with the competition of other amino acids it should still have some effect.