Taurine

taurine

Taurine is a naturally occurring molecule related to amino acids that is abundant in many tissues, especially the brain, heart, and retina. It is not used to build proteins, but it plays important roles in keeping cells stable, regulating water and mineral balance, and calming harmful chemical reactions. In the eye, taurine helps protect light-sensing cells and supports the long-term health of nerve cells that carry visual signals. It acts as an antioxidant and helps manage calcium levels inside cells, which is important when cells face stress or injury. When taurine levels fall, cells can become more vulnerable to damage and degeneration. Because of these protective properties, taurine is studied as a dietary component and supplement to help preserve nerve cell survival and function. People get taurine from foods like meat and fish, and it is also available in over-the-counter products. For most people, normal amounts from food and typical supplements are safe, but very high doses or interactions with other medicines can have effects, so checking with a health professional is wise. Understanding taurine helps explain why nutrition and targeted nutrients can influence nerve health and why it is part of research into preserving tissue function over a lifetime.