Has anyone taken Taurine during Chemo?

Posted by neveragainvaccines @neveragainvaccines, Oct 16 6:26pm

Hi everyone, I have been researching taurine. Some studies have found below normal levels in women with breast cancer. I had my first chemo treatment today and asked my nurse about it (I am also an RN). It does have antioxidant properties and I know they advise against antioxidants. However it is an amino acid and not considered an antioxidant. I did take 3000 mg the day before chemo and like maybe 500 mg the day of chemo. Will talk to pharmacist and oncologist but have a sixth sense it’s a good idea. Anyone want to weigh in?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Breast Cancer Support Group.

gently | @gently | Oct 16 9:05pm

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33275984/
Weighing in: Oh, you clever nurse.

seabright2001 | @seabright2001 | Oct 17 9:15am

I would be worried about the efficacy of the chemo if I took taurine supplements.
“Significance: Based on evaluated non-clinical studies, taurine ameliorates chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity, but its possible interaction with the efficacy of anti-cancer medicines that mostly act through induction of oxidants remains to be elucidated in the future. This needs conducting well-designed studies to assess the effectiveness and safety of this combination simultaneously.”

neveragainvaccines | @neveragainvaccines | Oct 17 9:46am

In reply to @gently "https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33275984/ Weighing in: Oh, you clever nurse." + (show)

So I guess that’s a no go from you hey? I’m hesitant to take a chance( maybe on a lower dose). Just really not looking forward to any lasting damage of chemo. So many “non clinical” studies cheap supplement nobody is going to make money off.

corky48 | @corky48 | Oct 17 11:54am

I have taken taurine for a while because it helps me sleep. I just started radiation 4 days ago . The radiation oncologist said taurine is an antioxidant and I should stop taking it while doing radiation. I don't know if I'll take it ever again. I'm starting to not trust taking any supplements.

gently | @gently | Oct 17 12:07pm

In reply to @neveragainvaccines "So I guess that’s a no go from you hey? I’m hesitant to take a chance(..." + (show)

Actually, it would be worth the cardiac protection in my thinking. PLUS: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35882787/.
The compliment is sincere.
Your doctor will influence your decision but from here I'd say its a go.

neveragainvaccines | @neveragainvaccines | Oct 17 12:14pm

In reply to @gently "Actually, it would be worth the cardiac protection in my thinking. PLUS: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35882787/. The compliment is..." + (show)

I decided I would not take a huge dose so calculated the dose down to what you would require in your diet. So I’m only going to take 500 mg daily. Interestingly the U of A in Alberta has done a recent study on long covid patients and patients that had severe covid and found all their taurine levels were low mostly causing heart issues muscle fatigue. They are continuing to do a larger study.

neveragainvaccines | @neveragainvaccines | Oct 17 12:20pm

In reply to @corky48 "I have taken taurine for a while because it helps me sleep. I just started radiation..." + (show)

How much taurine were you taking for sleep?

corky48 | @corky48 | Oct 17 12:35pm

In reply to @neveragainvaccines "How much taurine were you taking for sleep?" + (show)

I took 1000 every night which was actually 2 pills

neveragainvaccines | @neveragainvaccines | Oct 17 1:02pm

Just read that average person consumes 40-400 mg of taurine through diet. vegans have a harder time consuming enough. Your body makes it using other amino acid cysteine. My thing is if you are really sick during chemo and not able to eat much and maybe have weight loss…how much of taurine or any other nutrients are u actually getting. I’m only one day post first round of chemo and on steroids for one more day and hear you crash after so I’m a bit anxious and want to optimize nutrition. Kinda getting OCD about research etc. I’m living, eating and breathing breast cancer. Since diagnosed that’s all I think or talk about ( my poor Family)

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Oct 22 6:51pm

In reply to @neveragainvaccines "Just read that average person consumes 40-400 mg of taurine through diet. vegans have a harder..." + (show)

Hi all, I thought I would jump in with a reference to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center’s About Herbs database, a tool for the public as well as healthcare professionals, to help you figure out the value of using common herbs and other dietary supplements. Read more here: https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/diagnosis-treatment/symptom-management/integrative-medicine/herbs

For any supplement, herb or complementary medication one hears about from fellow patients, social media, etc., you can get the low-down on the available evidence. Here's what MSK says about taurine.

- Taurine: Purported Benefits, Side Effects & More https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs/taurine

Integrative medicine departments are available in most major cancer centers.
@neveragainvaccines, what were you hoping the taurine would help with? Have you discussed options to manage side effects with your oncologist or integrative oncologist?