Taurine for Blood Sugar

How Taurine Might Help With Blood Sugar

Researchers are not yet entirely sure how taurine helps with diabetes and related blood sugar issues. Potential mechanisms include:

Protecting beta cells

Oxidative stress is known to play a major role in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes; for example, it can cause damage to insulin-producing beta cells, resulting in reduced insulin production and secretion. As a potent antioxidant, taurine may help protect these cells from this oxidative damage. ¹

Supporting insulin activity

Some studies have shown that taurine can improve insulin release and sensitivity, ultimately resulting in improved blood sugar control and reduction of hyperglycemia. For example, one cell culture study showed that taurine directly promotes insulin release from beta cells.² Another study showed that taurine interacts with kinins, substances which influence both insulin release and action. ³

Taurine Uses & Benefits for Blood Sugar

Taurine supplements are sometimes used by individuals with hyperglycemia, prediabetes, and type 2 diabetes to help lower their blood sugar levels.

There is a good deal of animal and cell culture research supporting these blood sugar benefits, with studies showing that taurine improves hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, and insulin release. In addition, observational studies have reported that diabetics tend to have lower taurine levels than healthy individuals, suggesting a possible link.

However, these promising findings have yet to be seriously explored in human research, with only a handful of clinical trials that report mixed, inconclusive results. The bottom line is that taurine has potential as a blood sugar-lowering supplement, but it’s too early to say anything conclusive.

Research

Animal Research

Animal studies of taurine indicate hypoglycemic effects and improved blood sugar control in animals with diabetes or obesity. Specific findings indicate that:

• Taurine may improve glucose control and beta cell function in obese mice ⁵
• Taurine alleviates hyperglycemia by improving insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetic rats ⁶
• Taurine improves hyperglycemia in type 1 diabetic rats and rabbits ^{7 8 9}
• Taurine improves hyperglycemia and glucose uptake in rats with insulin resistance ^{10 11}

Human Research

Human studies of taurine suggest a possible link between reduced levels of this nutrient and the development of diabetes. On the other hand, studies of taurine supplementation for blood sugar management report mixed findings, with some positive and some negative results.

Taurine supplementation (3 g) may help with blood sugar control by improving insulin resistance

This randomized study was one of the first investigations on the effects of taurine on blood sugar in humans. For 48 hours, the researchers gave 6 overweight/obese, non-diabetic men an infusion of saline (control group), lipids, or lipids plus 2 weeks pretreatment with taurine (3 g daily). The lipid injection was meant to mimic the negative effects of diabetes and metabolic syndrome on insulin.

Taurine was found to improve insulin resistance and the function of insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas, effects which could improve blood sugar control.

• The researchers concluded that “Oral TAU ameliorates lipid-induced functional beta cell decompensation and insulin resistance in humans, possibly by reducing oxidative stress.” ¹²

Taurine supplementation (1.5 g) does not appear to affect insulin function in overweight men

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study evaluated the effects of taurine on insulin in people at risk of type 2 diabetes. A total of 20 overweight participants were given placebo or taurine (1.5 g) daily for 8 weeks, and later switched groups so that everyone tried both treatments. Although blood taurine levels increased, this were was no difference between the two treatments on insulin release or activity.

• The researchers concluded that “Daily supplementation with 1.5 g taurine for 8 weeks had no effect on insulin secretion or sensitivity, or on blood lipid levels.” ¹³

Type 2 diabetics seem to have reduced taurine levels, which can be restored with supplementation

This study compared the taurine levels of people with type 2 diabetes and healthy individuals. The researchers evaluated the taurine levels of 39 diabetics and 34 healthy adults matched for similar age, sex, and other characteristics. They discovered that diabetics had lower taurine levels, and that supplementation increased taurine to the levels found in healthy individuals.

• The researchers concluded that “After oral supplementation, both plasma and platelet taurine concentrations increased significantly in the diabetic patients, reaching the mean values of healthy control subjects.” ¹⁴

Dosage for Blood Sugar

• There aren’t enough studies to recommend a dosage of taurine for blood sugar
• Standalone taurine supplements typically provide 1 g dosages
• Multi-ingredient blood sugar support supplements usually include small (~25 mg) dosages of taurine
• Dosages of up to 3 g can be taken safely every day

Available Forms

• L-taurine. Also known as free form taurine, this is the most common form of taurine, sold as a standalone powder or inside capsules.