You’ve probably seen Taurine labelled in bold print as one of the staple ingredients in many sports supplements. That’s because this non-essential amino acid is said to be useful in increasing muscle mass, as it’s very abundant in muscle tissue.
On another note, I can almost guarantee that you’ve also seen the word Taurine slapped on an energy drink at your local corner store.
Maybe because you’ve seen it associated with a sugary, caffeinated beverage you assumed Taurine isn’t so good for you.
If so, you should give Taurine a second chance!
I’m going to explain why we intentionally use Taurine in our MindGain nootropic, and how your brain could benefit from it.
What is Taurine?
Taurine is a special amino acid because it is sulphur containing, doesn’t incorporate into proteins, and it’s one of the most abundant amino acids in the brain, retina, muscle tissue, and heart.
It has long been known that Taurine is extremely important for the body, and plays a critical role in brain development. Recently, it has been noted that changes in Taurine levels can be associated with impaired cognition.
So could Taurine supplementation maintain a healthy brain?
Science seems to think so. Though all the mechanisms are not yet known, Taurine is believed to help cognition in a few different ways
.
Neuroprotection
Taurine has received considerable attention for its neuroprotective effects, and its ability to maintain cellular integrity throughout the central nervous system. Taurine supplementation has often been used for improving fatigue and mental and athletic performance, as well as a treatment strategy for congestive heart failure, and hypertension.
Antioxidant Properties
We all remember our favourite quote from grade 8 science:
THE MITOCHONDRIA IS THE POWERHOUSE OF THE CELL.
Mitochondria are tiny little organelles floating around in our cells that break down molecules from digested food and create energy through a fun process called cellular respiration.
However, cellular respiration isn’t all fun. In addition to energy, it also creates free-oxide radicals (angry oxygen molecules that cause damage).
Oxidative stress is linked to tissue damage and mitochondrial problems.
In other words, poorly functioning mitochondria = poor energy and focus.
So where does Taurine come in?
Because of its sulphur group, Taurine has antioxidant properties. During oxidative stress, antioxidants have the ability to improve mitochondrial function and restore balance.
During physical or psychological stress, where oxidative stress can be elevated, Taurine supplementation could ensure proper function of the mitochondria and lead to a dramatic improvement in cognition and mood.
Digestion of Fatty-Acids
Taurine is a key component of bile, which is needed for the digestion of fat and fat-soluble vitamins. With that being said, if your bile output is low, and fat digestion is impaired, what does this mean for cognitive health?
Well, you’ve heard of essential fatty acids, right? What makes them essential is the fact that our bodies can’t create them, they have come from our diet. Bile is a critical component in digesting fats, so we can absorb the essential fats we need.
Take-home message:
The combination of Taurine with other brain-healthy nutrients could significantly improve cognitive performance. The optimal composition of these components can be found in the MindGain formula.
Improve Cognitive Function with MindGain
MindGain is a nootropic supplement that manipulates the specific neuro-molecular pathways related to cognitive function - Neurotransmitter production, and Mitochondrial health.
By also including the amino acid taurine, MindGain’s proprietary formula combines the essential ingredients brains need to improve performance in complex tasks while lowering stress levels.
Feed your starving brain. Order MindGain today and experience enhanced mental cognition while supporting optimal brain health.
Sources
Chen C, Xia S, He J, Lu G, Xie Z, Han H. Roles of Taurine in cognitive function of physiology, pathologies and toxication. Life Sci. 2019 Jun 17:116584.
Ripps H, Shen W. Review: Taurine: a "very essential" amino acid. Mol Vis. 2012;18:2673-86.
Schaffer, S., & Kim, H. W. (2018). Effects and Mechanisms of Taurine as a Therapeutic Agent. Biomolecules & therapeutics, 26(3), 225–241. doi:10.4062/biomolther.2017.251
Phyllis, Balch A. (2010) Prescription for Nutritional Healing