Taurine
Sulfur-containing amino acid whose levels decline with age; supplementation extended median lifespan in mice.
Summary
A 2023 Science study found taurine levels decline with age in mice, monkeys and humans, and taurine supplementation increased median lifespan in mice by 10-12% with broad healthspan improvements. There are no human longevity studies, but she reviews placebo-controlled trials showing benefits for blood pressure, heart failure markers, AGEs, fatty acid oxidation and MELAS stroke-like episodes. Later posts cover animal and cell studies on skin aging (tight junctions, collagen, ceramides), a mouse study where taurine reversed sleep-deprivation skin damage, and studies showing taurine increases FOXO3.
Said supplementing 'seems like a no-brainer' (while noting no human longevity data) and later wrote that she takes taurine powder as a supplement; experimenting with topical taurine in DMSO. Not listed in her Jan 2026 stack post.From Topical Supplements for Preventing Skin Aging
The evidence
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Human trial
In a placebo-controlled trial in people with prehypertension, 1.6 g/day taurine for 12 weeks lowered systolic blood pressure by 7.2 mm Hg and diastolic by 4.7 mm Hg on average.
Read the study Discussed in Taurine Deficiency in Aging -
Human trial
In heart failure patients, taurine (1,500 mg/day for two weeks) reduced CRP and improved atherogenic indices.
Read the study Discussed in Taurine Deficiency in Aging -
Human trial
In patients with type 2 diabetes, taurine (3,000 mg/day) reduced advanced glycation end products and improved glycemic control.
Read the study Discussed in Taurine Deficiency in Aging -
Human trial
In patients with MELAS (a mitochondrial disease), taurine halved stroke-like episodes in over 80% of trial participants.
Read the study Discussed in Taurine Deficiency in Aging -
Animal
Taurine levels declined with age in mice, monkeys and humans, and taurine supplementation in mice increased median lifespan by 10-12% and, started in midlife, improved bone, muscle, pancreas, brain, fat, gut and immune function.
Read the study Discussed in Taurine Deficiency in Aging -
Animal
In mice, sleep deprivation impaired skin tight junctions and collagen synthesis, and adding taurine reversed this, promoting tight junctions and type III collagen.
Doses used in studies
Amounts reported in the research, not dosing recommendations.
| Dose | Context |
|---|---|
| 1.6 g/day for 12 weeks | Placebo-controlled trial in people with prehypertension (blood pressure) |
| 1,500 mg/day for two weeks | Heart failure patients (CRP, atherogenic indices) |
| 3,000 mg/day | Patients with type 2 diabetes (AGEs, glycemic control) |
| 50 mg/kg | Athletes cycling in the heat (endurance, core temperature) |
| 1,500-3,000 mg/day, usually divided into two or three doses | Range used across the clinical trials she reviewed |
Cautions
- Safety studies and trials showed no significant adverse effects at 3 g/day; one study used up to 10 g/day for six months.
- Optimal dose and timing are unknown; talk with your doctor, especially if on prescription medications.
- Bile acid supplements such as TUDCA also contain taurine, so check your total intake.
- In her topical experiment she used DMSO as a carrier and warns it moves everything across the skin into the body; not a blanket recommendation.