![]() Equally promising are studies showing the nutritional value of taurine ( McCarty, 2013). Results of many clinical studies have been encouraging, suggesting a promising future for taurine therapy ( Ginguay et al., 2016). Although most of those studies have focused on taurine-mediated reversal of pathology in animals, there have been attempts to translate the basic science findings into clinical applications. It also has stimulated research into its potential therapeutic uses. These findings have provided impetus for the use of taurine in infant formula, nutritional supplements and energy drinks. Because taurine regulates fundamental events in the cell, while altering the balance between life and death, interest in taurine’s physiological functions has grown. Although taurine possesses many functions in mammals, its cytoprotective actions have attracted the most attention, as they dramatically alter the health and nutritional status of various species. ![]() Taurine is a β-amino acid found in very high concentration in most cells, with levels particularly high in excitable tissues. The review also addresses the functions of taurine (regulation of antioxidation, energy metabolism, gene expression, ER stress, neuromodulation, quality control and calcium homeostasis) underlying these therapeutic actions. In addition, taurine is extremely effective in the treatment of the mitochondrial disease, mitochondrial encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS), and offers a new approach for the treatment of metabolic diseases, such as diabetes, and inflammatory diseases, such as arthritis. The present review summarizes studies supporting a role of taurine in the treatment of diseases of muscle, the central nervous system, and the cardiovascular system. Today, taurine has been approved for the treatment of congestive heart failure in Japan and shows promise in the treatment of several other diseases. The discovery that taurine is an effective therapy against congestive heart failure led to the study of taurine as a therapeutic agent against other disease conditions. These findings have spurred interest in the potential use of taurine as a therapeutic agent. In some species, taurine is an essential nutrient but in man it is considered a semi-essential nutrient, although cells lacking taurine show major pathology. At the cardiovascular level, they concluded that "if there are any interactions between caffeine and taurine, taurine might reduce the cardiovascular effects of caffeine." Although these interactions remain to be further examined in humans, the physiological functions of taurine appear to be inconsistent with the adverse cardiovascular symptoms associated with excessive consumption of caffeine-taurine containing beverages.Taurine is an abundant, β-amino acid with diverse cytoprotective activity. In agreement with this conclusion, the European Union's Scientific Committee on Food published a report in March 2003 summarizing its investigation into potential interactions of the ingredients in energy drinks. ![]() However, based on this review regarding possible interactions between caffeine and taurine, we conclude that taurine should neutralize several untoward effects of caffeine excess. Although taurine is considered a conditionally essential nutrient for humans and is thought to play a key role in several human diseases, clinical studies evaluating the effects of taurine are limited. One of the active ingredients often mentioned as a candidate for interactions with caffeine is the beta-amino acid, taurine. Although the effects of caffeine excess have been widely studied, little information is available on potential interactions between the other active ingredients of energy drinks and caffeine. Most of the safety concerns have centered on the effect of energy drinks on cardiovascular and central nervous system function. However, accompanying the exponential growth in energy drink usage have been recent case reports and analyses from the National Poison Data System, raising questions regarding the safety of energy drinks. ![]() The major impetus behind the rise in energy drink popularity among adults is their ability to heighten mental alertness, improve physical performance and supply energy. ![]()
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