Taurine is a super powerful amino acid that can help diabetes patients, prevent heart disease and delay aging
Taurine is nothing more than an amino acid, that is, small fragments of proteins. Although it is not part of proteins, it is present in every cell of the body, but can be found in much larger quantities in tissues that conduct electricity.
The heart, retina, skeletal muscles and brain are therefore extremely rich in taurine, which plays a fundamental role in the health and proper functioning of these tissues. According to Dr. Christian Aguiar, a specialist in natural medicine and integration, this substance has numerous health benefits.
According to him, in the cardiovascular system, in addition to reducing the risk of cardiac arrhythmias, the amino acid is good for heart failure. This is because it increases systolic deficit and cardiac deficit. The doctor also cites other benefits of the substance:
- It has anti-inflammatory action;
- Lowers cholesterol;
- Check blood pressure;
- Helps with aerobic performance;
- Improves visual acuity and protects against macular (retinal) degeneration;
- Helps fat absorption and cholesterol excretion;
- Reduces the onset of cramps and convulsions;
- Prevents neurodegenerative processes, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Furthermore, taurine also helps the clinical condition of diabetics by improving patients’ blood flow and helping regulate blood sugar. It also reduces insulin resistance.
Where to find taurine
According to the expert, the side effects of the amino acid are very rare and it is super safe to consume. In foods it is not found in vegetables and legumes. Meats are rich in taurine, especially the darker ones.
The substance can also be found in birds, but the main source of taurine is fish and seafood. On the other hand, although eggs and liver are also superfoods, contrary to what many think, they are not as rich in amino acids because they do not conduct as much electricity.
Taurine for longevity
According to Christian Aguiar, as we age, the levels of the substance in the blood decrease. “To give you an idea, elderly people have 80% less taurine in their blood than a child, i.e. low levels are indicators of aging,” explains the doctor.
The results of a study published last year by the journal Science indicated the first solid experimental evidence of taurine’s positive impact on longevity. The experiment conducted by Columbia University was conducted with three types of guinea pigs: worms, mice and monkeys.
In the process, taurine supplementation reversed aging-related metabolic processes, extending life expectancy in worms (10%-23%) and mice (10%-13%).
Although no clinical trials have been conducted in humans, analyzes have indicated a correlation between taurine and better health indicators during aging. Furthermore, they observed that taurine replacement in guinea pigs promoted healthier and longer aging.
In the experiment conducted by Columbia University with mice, the animals were separated into two groups. For half they gave taurine, for the other half they gave an inactive substance.
Mice taking taurine lived 10 to 12 percent longer. According to the doctor, this would be equivalent to 8 years of human age, with 80% less amino acids in the blood than a child. After the mice, they repeated the experiment on yeast, worms and monkeys. The result across all species was the same: taurine increased longevity.
Why combine exercise with supplementation
Also according to the expert, scientists have found that physical exercise increases blood taurine levels in humans. This shows that combining taurine with aerobic exercise can be a great anti-aging strategy.
“In addition to demonstrating that low levels of taurine in the blood are indicators of aging, while high levels are indicators of youth and longevity, another finding of the study was that exercise increases the level of taurine in the blood in humans. Which makes me believe that supplementation, together with physical exercise, is essential to increase longevity”, underlines the specialist.
According to the doctor’s opinion, it is recommended to take between 500 mg and 3,000 mg per day. For Christian Aguiar, the time you take taurine doesn’t make much difference, but his doctor recommends taking it during dinner. If the person plans to do intense training, it is recommended to ingest taurine before training. In this case, the ideal is to take taurine about 90 minutes before intense training, because the substance takes time to be absorbed and incorporated into muscles and other tissues.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
