Understanding Taurine
Taurine and the physiological role it plays in H2O Overdrive™
There is much confusion and false information flying around the internet and on the street with regards to Taurine and its safety and application in sports, much because the amino acid is used in many energy drinks.
One such piece of misinformation regards Taurine being banned (in France). The fact here is - what was actually banned in France around 2006 was Red Bull which happens to contain Taurine – and the ban was directly Red Bull related to a few deaths that occurred due (allegedly) to the use of Red Bull and alcohol by young adults / teens – in what was proven as an abusive fashion (drinking binges as witness and testified to by people that were with the users at the time of their deaths). There was never a direct link to connect Red bull to deaths – much less the Taurine.
Fast forward to 2008/2009 – and we see Red Bull being banned in numerous countries due to trace amounts of cocaine alkaloids – so one would have to question – what exactly is in it – was in it – and ponder that it really had zero to do with Taurine other than guilt by association simply due to the fact it is an ingredient used in Red Bull. Fact of the matter about Taurine is that there are currently no (zero) registered adverse reports with the FDA – and it should be noted that Taurine is actually added to most infant formulas (and has been since the mid 1980’s) due to its health benefits and vital involvement in development of human tissue. Taurine is a major building block for all proteins in the body – it is the principle free intracellular (inside the cells) amino acid in human and animal tissues – found in extremely high amounts in the brain and in myocardium, skeletal and smooth muscle.
Taurine is classified as an essential amino acid – it is found in all meats, fish, eggs and milk. Taurine besides its use in cognitive response and mental alertness has extreme anti-oxidant activity. If you understand physiology you will understand that is one of the primary reasons it is in our formulation, as one if its most vital functions is its ability to scavenge the reactive oxygen species hypochlorite – which is generated in neutrophils (a type of white blood cell) during respiratory burst activity (which is what happens during exercise and strenuous activity). This scavenging activity protects the body against collateral tissue damage and helps resist oxidative stress related damage as well by protecting our bodies white blood cells.
In long term scientific studies doses of 3 grams daily were administered to participants with zero toxicity. In short – Taurine is safe and effective and has specific purpose physiologically in H2O Overdrive and you have to be aware that much of what is written on the internet is nothing more than urban legend with no basis in science or reality.