Evidence supporting the use of: L-taurine
For the health condition: Memory and Brain Function
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2
L-taurine is an amino sulfonic acid found abundantly in the brain and other tissues. Its use for supporting memory and brain function is primarily justified by scientific investigation, though the evidence in humans is still preliminary. Animal studies show that taurine plays important neuroprotective roles; it modulates neurotransmission, reduces neuroinflammation, and acts as an antioxidant. Some research in rodents suggests that taurine supplementation can improve memory and learning, especially in models of neurodegeneration or cognitive impairment. For example, taurine has been shown to enhance long-term potentiation (LTP)—a process essential for memory formation—and to protect neurons from glutamate-induced excitotoxicity.
In humans, clinical evidence is limited. Some small studies and reviews suggest potential benefits for cognitive function, particularly in elderly populations or those with neurodegenerative diseases, but these findings are not yet robust or widely replicated. Taurine is also a component of many energy drinks, which claim to boost mental alertness, but the cognitive effects of taurine alone (as opposed to in combination with caffeine and other ingredients) remain unclear.
Overall, while there are plausible biological mechanisms and promising animal data, clinical trials in humans are sparse. Therefore, the evidence for taurine’s effectiveness in supporting memory and brain function is rated as low to moderate (2/5), pending further research.
Other ingredients used for Memory and Brain Function
2'-Fucosyllactoseacai berry
acetyl l-carnitine
algal oil
alpha-pinene
amino acids
anchovies
anthocyanins
ashwagandha
asparagus
astaxanthin
waterhyssop
beet
berry flavor
beta caryophyllene
bifidobacterium longum
bilberry
black currant
black garlic
sesame
black tea
blackberry
blueberry
Indian frankincense
broccoli
caprylic acid
catechins
caterpillar mushroom
chaga mushroom
Chinese salvia root
choline
cinnamon
citicoline
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
coffee fruit
cordyceps
creatine monohydrate
turmeric
curcumin
d-alpha tocopherol
DHA (docosahexaeonic acid)
diallyl disulfide (DADS)
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
eleuthero
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
fisetin
fish protein
folate
fruit and vegetable blend (proprietary)
fruit blend (proprietary)
ginkgo biloba
glycerophosphocholine (GPC)
gooseberry
gotu kola
grape
green tea
guarana
guayusa
hesperetin
huperzine A
inositol
jujube
kale
krill oil
kudzu
l-5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine salt (5-MTHF)
l-carnitine
l-carnosine
l-serine
l-taurine
l-theanine
l-tyrosine
lactobacillus reuteri
lecithin
lion's mane
lutein
luteolin
maca
mackerel
marine lipid
matcha
medium chain triglycerides (MCT)
moringa
muira puama
Acetyl-L-Tyrosine
naringin
niacin (vitamin B3)
niacinamide (vitamin B3)
nicotinamide riboside
oat
oleic acid
olive
omega-3 fatty acids
ophiopogon root
perilla
phosphatidylcholine
phosphatidylserine
phospholipids
phytocannabinoids
pine bark
pollen
polygala root
pomegranate
pregnenolone
prolyl endopeptidase (PEP)
pumpkin
pyrroloquinoline disodium salt
quail egg
quercetin
reishi mushroom
resveratrol
rhodiola
rutin
saffron
SAMe (s-adenosyl-l-methionine disulfate p-toluensulfate)
sardines
selenium
black ginger
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
spinach
spirulina
strawberry
sulforaphane glucosinolate
threonic acid
tocotrienols
tomato
trans-pterostilbene
almond fruit
ubiquinol
Urolithin A
vegetable and fruit blend (proprietary)
velvet bean
vinpocetine
vitamin B12
vitamin B6
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
vitamin E
seaweed
mulberry
zinc
β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN)
suma
jiaogulan
tinospora cordifolia
lingzhi
morus
root tuber
ferulic acid
chrysanthemum
cistanche
lotus seed
royal jelly
terpene lactones
purslane
yerba mate
biota seed
goji berry
algae
cocoa
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
ashitaba
1,3,7-Trimethylpurine-2,6-dione
3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoic acid
5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine
7,8-Dihydroxyflavone
Arachidonic Acid
Apigenin
Aronia melanocarpa
Anserine
Alpha glyceryl
Andrographolide
Avocado
Agmatine
Adrafinil
Acetylcholine
Amentoflavone
Agarwood
Acacetin
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
anthocyanidins
Ampelopsin
Acer Truncatum bunge
Aniracetam
anthocyanosides
Black Seed
Bilobalide
Butylphthalide
Beta-hydroxybutyrate
Breadnut
Blepharis
Beef liver
Baccosides
Bacopin
Baicalein
Basidiomycota
Boswellia
Brahmi
Bacopa
Blue-Green Alage
Bifidobacteria
bacoside
Baicalin
Bird's nest
Centrophenoxine
Camellia sinensis
Centella triterpenes
Chinese Mountain Ant
Cyanobacteria
Carnosine
Catalpol
Chebulic acid
Cod Liver Oil
Codonopsis
Cyanidin
Cruciferous
Centella asiatica
Cinnamic Acid
Chocolate
Chinese Ligustrum berry
Creatine
Catuaba
Convolvulus prostratus
Crocetin
Convolvulus Pluricaulis
Celastrus
Cytidine
cola nut
Canscora
Currant
Carnosic acid
Docosahexaenoic Acid
Danshen
Dendrobium
Decursin
Decursinol
Dibenzo-alpha pyrones
Date
epicatechin
Egg
Ergothioneine
Elk antler
Emblicanin
Eicosapentaenoic Acid
Eucommia ulmoides
Enokitake
Folic Acid
Flammulina velutipes
glucose
Glycine
Periwinkle
walnut
yohimbine
Other health conditions supported by l-taurine
AnginaAnxiety Disorders
Arrhythmia
Athletic and Exercise Aids
Cardiovascular Disease
Chemotherapy (reducing side effects)
Cholesterol (high)
Congestive Heart Failure
Diabetes
Fatigue
Fatty Liver Disease
Heart (weakness)
Heart Fibrillation or Palpitations
Hypertension
Inflammation
Memory and Brain Function
Nerve Damage
Stress
Triglycerides (high)
Products containing l-taurine
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AdvaClear
Designs For Health
Amino-D-Tox™
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Amino-D-Tox™
Pure Encapsulations
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Vitabase
Blood Pressure Support
Vitabase
Blood Sugar Formula
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Cardiogenics® Intensive Care
Thorne
Catalyte
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Clear Change Daily Essentials
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Cognitive Aminos
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Collagenics®
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Creatine UP®
Integrative Therapeutics
Detoxication Factors
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Pure Encapsulations
Digestion GB
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DIM Detox
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Electrolyte Synergy™
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Endura® Lemonade
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FemGuard-HF™
Douglas Laboratories
Hair Growth+
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Heart Health Complex Q-10 Plus
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Lipo-Gen™
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Lipo-Gen
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Lipoic Acid Supreme
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Lipotropic Detox
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LV-GB Complex™
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MediClear Plus
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Metabolic Synergy™
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MetaGlycemX™
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MetaGlycemX
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MetaRelax®
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NeuroCalm™
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Neurolink™
Pure Encapsulations
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NOx Synergy™
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OcuForce™
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PaleoCleanse Plus™
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Plant Protein Cleanse
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Plant Protein Meal
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SeroPlus
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Stabilized R-Lipoic Acid Supreme
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Taurine 500 mg
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UltraClear RENEW Detox Powder Berry
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UltraClear RENEW Detox Powder Chai
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VisionPro Nutrients
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Wellness Essentials Healthy Balance Daily Packs