Taurine is an amino acid the body manufactures from two other amino acids and is also obtained from eating fish, meat and dairy products. Taurine serves a variety of important functions, including cholesterol and blood sugar regulation. Taurine is also found in high concentrations in the brain and some research has revealed potential uses for taurine in relieving symptoms of anxiety.
Oral Vs. Injected
Taurine may offer a safe alternative to benzodiazepine drugs for relief of anxiety, according to Junichi Azuma, of Osaka University Department of Clinical Evaluation and Therapeutics, co-editor of the book "Taurine 7." Taurine influences and mimics the activity of the brain inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA. Opposite effects occur with injections and supplements of taurine, said Azuma, whereby injections reduce anxiety and supplements of the amino acid increase anxiety levels.
Regulatory Role
Researchers at the Department of Biology, City University of New York Graduate School, found anti-anxiety effects of taurine injection in laboratory animals. While oral supplementation with taurine increased movement and activity levels, taurine injection resulted in less movement and more immobility. Total distance the animals covered, as well as speed of travel, increased with supplementation. Researchers concluded that taurine may play a regulatory role in anxiety. The study was published in the 2009 issue of the journal "Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology."
Questionable Effect
Taurine did not influence anxiety-related behavior in a study on laboratory animals that researchers conducted at the University of Minnesota, College of Pharmacy, Duluth. The study used two doses of taurine at intervals simulating chronic use and results showed no effect on anxiety and no stimulant effects of taurine. When taurine was combined with amphetamine, there was also no added stimulant effect of taurine. However, researchers noted that high doses of taurine caused a temporary decrease in activity levels. The study was published in the 2008 issue of the "Israeli Journal of Psychiatry and Related Sciences."
Dosage
In a preliminary animal study published in the 2007 issue of the journal "Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism," researchers concluded that taurine brought significant anti-anxiety benefits. The results of oral supplementation with 200 mg per kg body weight of taurine showed more time spent in open areas and less time backing away from anxiety-provoking situations. Taurine appeared not to affect GABA receptors, as previously thought. The research was done at the Department of Pharmacology and Metabolic Diseases Research Laboratory, School of Dentistry, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea.
References
- "Taurine 7"; Junichi Azuma; 2008
- "Advances in Experimental Medical Biology"; Effects of Taurine on Anxiety-like and Locomotor Behavior of Mice; A. El Idrissi, et al.; 2009
- "Israeli Journal of Psychiatryand Related Sciences"; Taurine Trials in Animal Models Offer No Support for Anxiolytic, Antidepressant or Stimulant Effects; B. Whirley, et al.; 2008
- "Annals of Nutritional Metabolism"; Taurine Induces Anti-anxiety by Activating Strychnine-sensitive Glycine Receptor in Vivo; C. Zhang, et al.; 2007
- "Postepy Higieny y Medycyny Doswiadczalnej"; Taurine and Its Potential Therapeutic Application; K. Szymanski, et al.; February 2008
