Should We All Take Taurine Supplements?

Taurine is an important non-essential amino acid that’s often added to energy drinks. Our body can make it, but as we age, our production drops and taurine blood levels fall as much as 80 percent. As is the case with other purported longevity vitamins like spermidine, even though our bodies can produce taurine, maybe we don’t produce enough for optimal health and longevity, so we may need to ensure we’re getting more in our diet starting in middle age. A landmark study showing that taurine supplementation can improve the healthspan and lifespan of animals was released after I had already submitted my How Not to Age manuscript to the publisher. Now that I’ve had time to do a deep dive into the important paper, let’s discuss the best sources, risks, and benefits of adding taurine to our diet.