Advertisement
New Study Shows Link Between Taurine & Depression In Women Under 30
![Molly Knudsen, M.S., RDN Molly Knudsen, M.S., RDN](https://mindbodygreen-res.cloudinary.com/image/upload/c_fill,g_auto,w_50,h_50,q_auto,f_auto,fl_lossy/usr/Tib3c9k.jpg)
![Profile Of A Young Woman On A Natural Light Profile Of A Young Woman On A Natural Light](https://mindbodygreen-res.cloudinary.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_2000,h_1334/c_fill,g_auto,w_480,h_322,q_auto,f_auto,fl_lossy/org/dxw3xmpvllb1dqup3.jpg)
A frustrating fact is that women are twice as likely as men1 to have depression. And the difference appears starting at age 122. Some known risks (unique or more prevalent for women) of depression include all the hormonal shifts from puberty to pregnancy to postpartum to menopause as well as financial struggles, work overload, and a history of abuse.
But there are other biological factors at play here besides sex hormones, that impact depression. One newly identified characteristic is lower taurine concentrations in the brain. Taurine is garnering attention as a crucial amino acid for optimal health, and researchers of a 2023 study published in Biological Psychiatry took a deep dive into whether the presence of this amino acid in the brain differs between women with and without depression.
Sure enough, there was quite a difference.
Why are researchers interested in taurine and depression?
Taurine is an amino acid that can be found in food or constructed in the body from other dietary amino acids. Amino acids are most frequently referred to as the building blocks of protein, but that’s not how taurine works in the body. Instead, taurine is known as a free amino acid3 and resides on its own in body tissues.
It’s especially concentrated in the brain4 where it helps the growth of brain cells, making connections between neurons, and forming a part of the brain called the hippocampus. The hippocampus is heavily involved in regulating emotions, and changes within this part of the brain are linked to depression.
Until this study, the connection between taurine and depression has only been studied in rats. Research shows that taurine actually reversed depression-like symptoms in rats5.
So this study is the first to report levels of taurine in the human brain—specifically the female brain.
Lower taurine levels in the brain are linked to depression
A total of 84 women between the ages of 18 and 29 participated in this study—41 with depression and 43 healthy individuals. Researchers then used a specific type of MRI test to look at the chemical makeup of the hippocampus to reveal taurine concentrations.
The comparison showed that the women with depression had a taurine concentration that (on average) was 19% lower than their counterparts.
But researchers didn't attribute the lower taurine concentrations to lower dietary intake of protein (or taurine). However, researchers pointed to increasing taurine as a potential treatment option.
Based on past animal and human research shows taurine has positive effects on health6—including cognition, stress reduction, and blood sugar control—that may even be improved with supplementation7. Considering unmanaged stress8 and poor blood sugar control9 are all linked with depression, taurine supplementation may be beneficial.
The takeaway
Depression is complex, we can’t always point a finger at the exact cause of it. Women are faced with a unique set of considerations when it comes to depression risk and management, and exploring possibly biological reasons why (beyond sex hormones) is much needed.
While it’s too early to say that taurine may be a beneficial tool for depression, this study helps pave the way for future studies that involve taurine as a treatment option.
9 Sources
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4478054/
- https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2Fbul0000102
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/taurine
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31220527/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25612506/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5933890/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10574552/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26548654/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4863499/
Watch Next
Enjoy some of our favorite clips from classes
Enjoy some of our favorite clips from classes
What Is Meditation?
Mindfulness/Spirituality | Light Watkins
Box Breathing
Mindfulness/Spirituality | Gwen Dittmar
What Breathwork Can Address
Mindfulness/Spirituality | Gwen Dittmar
The 8 Limbs of Yoga - What is Asana?
Yoga | Caley Alyssa
Two Standing Postures to Open Up Tight Hips
Yoga | Caley Alyssa
How Plants Can Optimize Athletic Performance
Nutrition | Rich Roll
What to Eat Before a Workout
Nutrition | Rich Roll
How Ayurveda Helps Us Navigate Modern Life
Nutrition | Sahara Rose
Messages About Love & Relationships
Love & Relationships | Esther Perel
Love Languages
Love & Relationships | Esther Perel
What Is Meditation?
Box Breathing
What Breathwork Can Address
The 8 Limbs of Yoga - What is Asana?
Two Standing Postures to Open Up Tight Hips
How Plants Can Optimize Athletic Performance
What to Eat Before a Workout
How Ayurveda Helps Us Navigate Modern Life
Messages About Love & Relationships
Love Languages
Advertisement
![This Little-Known Supplement Helps Women Sleep & Decreases Signs Of Depression This Little-Known Supplement Helps Women Sleep & Decreases Signs Of Depression](https://mindbodygreen-res.cloudinary.com/image/upload/c_fill,g_auto,w_440,h_296,q_auto,f_auto,fl_lossy/org/yrtkndau1jz02mpnl.jpg)
This Little-Known Supplement Helps Women Sleep & Decreases Signs Of Depression
Molly Knudsen, M.S., RDN
![This Little-Known Supplement Helps Women Sleep & Decreases Signs Of Depression This Little-Known Supplement Helps Women Sleep & Decreases Signs Of Depression](https://mindbodygreen-res.cloudinary.com/image/upload/c_fill,g_auto,w_726,h_488,q_auto,f_auto,fl_lossy/org/yrtkndau1jz02mpnl.jpg)
This Little-Known Supplement Helps Women Sleep & Decreases Signs Of Depression
Molly Knudsen, M.S., RDN