From upgrading athletic performance to improving heart health, taurine IV therapy from Toronto could offer support.

As a key ingredient or part of a combination of ingredients, it might contribute to brain function, physical performance, and more. “Results of many clinical studies have been encouraging, suggesting a promising future for taurine therapy. Equally promising are studies showing the nutritional value of taurine,” explains a paper from the Biomolecules and Therapeutics journal.

Taurine is an amino acid rich in sulfur. But it’s not a protein-building block like other amino acids, so it’s “conditionally essential”. This means it’s vital only for when the body is under pressure (i.e. when you’re sick).

This nutrient is linked to a wide range of bodily processes, such as stabilizing electrolytes for cell health and providing antioxidant support. It also does the following in the human body:

• Helps improve digestive health.
• Supports mineral intake for cellular functioning.
• Fosters immune function
• Sustains vision health and the central nervous system

“Accumulating studies have shown that Taurine supplementation also protects against pathologies associated with mitochondrial defects, such as aging, mitochondrial diseases, metabolic syndrome, cancer, cardiovascular diseases and neurological disorders.”
– Molecules Journal, August 13, 2021

Along with exercise and a balanced diet, taurine supplements could offer advantages to your wellness. The Toronto Functional Medicine Centre explains these beneficial effects, and how to reach us for your initial consultation. 

Advantages of taurine supplementation

• Shows promise in reducing heart disease risks: Cardiac patients may want to keep this supplement in mind. In a Japanese study, it was shown that triacylglycerol levels, atherogenic index levels, and body weight were reduced when taurine supplements were consumed for seven weeks. “These results suggest that taurine produces a beneficial effect on lipid metabolism and may have an important role in cardiovascular disease prevention in overweight or obese subjects,” noted the study, which was published in the journal Amino Acids. 
• It helps sustain mitochondrial health: Mitochondria are the “powerhouses” of cellular energy. Due to its sulfur content, taurine holds many physiological tasks in the human body, such as supporting mitochondrial health. Various studies have demonstrated how the amino acid shields against mitochondrial faults, including aging, cancers, heart diseases, metabolic syndrome and both mitochondrial and neurological disorders. In vitro and in vivo studies have also shown that taurine could help inhibit oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. Thus, it has potential in improving cell vitality, though further research is needed on mitochondria’s reliance on the supplement.
• Could potentially improve endurance for athletic endeavors: In one study, the amino acid was measured for its impact on athletic performance and oxidative stress linked to physical activity. “After supplementation, the change in taurine concentration showed positive correlations with the changes in exercise time to exhaustion and maximal workload,” confirmed a piece from Amino Acids. “The results suggest that taurine may attenuate exercise-induced DNA damage and enhance the capacity of exercise due to its cellular protective properties.” Additional effects of this supplement may include impacts on aerobic and anaerobic actions, such as helping offset muscle damage and metabolic stress, while optimizing recovery.  

What’s next? 

If you’re interested in taurine supplements to support energy levels, a healthcare provider can establish if they’re suitable for you. We suggest consulting with a functional medicine-practicing health provider for a personalized approach to your wellness. You may be advised to implement dietary changes, oral supplements, or add vitamin IV therapy to your wellness protocol. This encompasses inserting a customized nutritional formula directly into your bloodstream, which offers a full absorption of nutrients without using the digestive tract. When combined with a healthy lifestyle, these types of treatments could encourage optimal functioning. 

How can integrative medicine and intravenous therapy impact your health goals? Find out at our clinical practice, where we tailor functional medicine-inspired drips just for you! IV vitamin infusions could offer a nutritional benefit for clients with acute illness (immune function), chronic illness (chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic sinusitis), brain fog, blood pressure concerns, age-related diseases, and/or mental health matters (depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms). Continue reading to learn about our clinic. 

Details about the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre

Our functional medicine treatments highlight your genetics, environment, and lifestyle to tackle the root of your health concerns. Our goal is for you to reach optimal functioning based on your unique biology. We uphold an integrative approach, which is a combination of modalities used for treating your health status. Customized health strategies may include Western and Eastern medicine, naturopathic medicine, hormone therapy, acupuncture, and/or intravenous therapy.  

Intravenous drips are administered in our IV Lounge, and are closely supervised by our medical doctor, naturopathic doctor and nurse practitioner. Our IV therapy drips are freshly compounded without added preservatives, and tailored in relation to functional medicine wisdom. A custom blend of nutrients is available in therapeutic doses, which can include vitamin C (ascorbic acid), glutamic acid, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+ IV therapy), Myers cocktail, mistletoe, folic acid, or other vital nutrients such as lysine, potassium, manganese, and many more.

Do you have specific health goals? If so, let us know and we can discuss a combination of ingredients for your vitamin drip treatment. 

What’s hindering your optimal health? Discover tailor-made treatments and IV therapy from our Toronto clinic – call (416) 968-6961 or click here to request your first visit. 

Disclaimer: The information in this article is designed for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. This information should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting a doctor. Consult with a health care practitioner before relying on any information in this article or on this website.

References:

Balshaw TG, Bampouras TM, Barry TJ, Sparks SA. The effect of acute taurine ingestion on 3-km running performance in trained middle-distance runners. Amino Acids. 2013 Feb;44(2):555-61. doi: 10.1007/s00726-012-1372-1. Epub 2012 Aug 2. PMID: 22855206.

Curran CP, Marczinski CA. Taurine, caffeine, and energy drinks: Reviewing the risks to the adolescent brain. Birth Defects Res. 2017 Dec 1;109(20):1640-1648. doi: 10.1002/bdr2.1177. PMID: 29251842; PMCID: PMC5737830.

Ginguay A, De Bandt JP, Cynober L. Indications and contraindications for infusing specific amino acids. (leucine, glutamine, arginine, citrulline and taurine) in critical illness. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2016;19:161–169. doi: 10.1097/MCO.0000000000000255.

Jong CJ, Sandal P, Schaffer SW. The Role of Taurine in Mitochondria Health: More Than Just an Antioxidant. Molecules. 2021 Aug 13;26(16):4913. doi: 10.3390/molecules26164913. PMID: 34443494; PMCID: PMC8400259.

McCarty MF. Nutraceutical strategies for ameliorating the toxic effects of alcohol. Med Hypotheses. 2013;80:456–462. doi: 10.1016/j.mehy.2012.12.040.

Qaradakhi T, Gadanec LK, McSweeney KR, Abraham JR, Apostolopoulos V, Zulli A. The Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Taurine on Cardiovascular Disease. Nutrients. 2020 Sep 17;12(9):2847. doi: 10.3390/nu12092847. PMID: 32957558; PMCID: PMC7551180.

Sak D, Erdenen F, Müderrisoglu C, Altunoglu E, Sozer V, Gungel H, Guler PA, Sak T, Uzun H. The Relationship between Plasma Taurine Levels and Diabetic Complications in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Biomolecules. 2019 Mar 11;9(3):96. doi: 10.3390/biom9030096. PMID: 30862074; PMCID: PMC6468751.

Murakami, Y. Yamori, Chapter 13 – Taurine and Longevity – Preventive Effect of Taurine on Metabolic Syndrome, Editor(s): Ronald Ross Watson, Victor R. Preedy, Bioactive Food as Dietary Interventions for the Aging Population, Academic Press, 2013, Pages 159-171, ISBN 9780123971555, https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-397155-5.00027-1.

Ripps H, Shen W. Review: taurine: a “very essential” amino acid. Mol Vis. 2012;18:2673-86. Epub 2012 Nov 12. PMID: 23170060; PMCID: PMC3501277.

Schaffer S, Kim HW. Effects and Mechanisms of Taurine as a Therapeutic Agent. Biomol Ther (Seoul). 2018 May 1;26(3):225-241. doi: 10.4062/biomolther.2017.251. PMID: 29631391; PMCID: PMC5933890.

“What Is Taurine? Benefits, Side Effects, and More” from Healthline, by Gavin Van De Walle, MS, RD and Rudy Mawer, MSc, CISSN — Medically reviewed by Jillian Kubala, MS, RD, Nutrition — Updated on Feb 1, 2022, viewed on February 6, 2023. 

“What Is Taurine in Energy Drinks?” from Medicinenet, Medical Author: Dr. Jasmine Shaikh, MD Medical Reviewer: Pallavi Suyog Uttekar, MD, Medically Reviewed on 9/22/2021, viewed on February 7, 2023. 

Zhang M, Bi LF, Fang JH, Su XL, Da GL, Kuwamori T, Kagamimori S. Beneficial effects of taurine on serum lipids in overweight or obese non-diabetic subjects. Amino Acids. 2004 Jun;26(3):267-71. doi: 10.1007/s00726-003-0059-z. Epub 2003 Dec 15. PMID: 15221507.

Zhang M, Izumi I, Kagamimori S, Sokejima S, Yamagami T, Liu Z, Qi B. Role of taurine supplementation to prevent exercise-induced oxidative stress in healthy young men. Amino Acids. 2004 Mar;26(2):203-7. doi: 10.1007/s00726-003-0002-3. Epub 2003 May 9. PMID: 15042451.