Evidence supporting the use of: L-taurine
For the body system: Eyes

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

L-taurine is an amino sulfonic acid that is present in high concentrations in the retina of the eye, particularly in photoreceptor cells. Its role in ocular health has been substantiated by a number of animal and laboratory studies. Taurine is involved in osmoregulation, antioxidation, and membrane stabilization within retinal tissue. Deficiency in taurine has been shown in animal models (especially in cats, which cannot synthesize it) to result in retinal degeneration and eventual vision loss. In humans, observational studies have found that taurine levels are lower in patients with certain retinal disorders, such as retinitis pigmentosa and diabetic retinopathy, though causality is not established.

Supplementation with taurine has demonstrated protective effects against oxidative stress in retinal cells in vitro and in animal models. However, clinical trials in humans are limited, and there is not yet conclusive evidence that dietary L-taurine supplementation prevents or treats eye diseases in the general population. Nevertheless, the biological plausibility and animal evidence provide a moderate scientific basis for its use in supporting eye health, particularly for its possible neuroprotective and antioxidative actions in the retina.

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