Taurine

Taurine's effectiveness in relation to gallstones, specifically cholesterol gallstones (the most common type), is primarily linked to its crucial role in the composition and function of bile. The mechanism can be broken down into a few key steps:

1. Bile Composition: Bile is a fluid produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder. Its main function is to digest fats. To do this, it must keep cholesterol, which is not water-soluble, dissolved within it. This is achieved by a delicate balance of three main components: bile acids, phospholipids (like lecithin), and cholesterol itself. When there is too much cholesterol relative to the bile acids and phospholipids, the bile becomes supersaturated, and the cholesterol can crystallize and form stones.
2. Bile Acid Conjugation: The liver produces primary bile acids (cholic acid and chenodeoxycholic acid). To become effective "detergents" that can emulsify fats and solubilize cholesterol, these bile acids must be joined, or "conjugated," with an amino acid. The two amino acids the body uses for this process are glycine and taurine. The resulting molecules are called bile salts (e.g., taurocholate, glycocholate).
3. Superiority of Taurine Conjugates: Bile acids conjugated with taurine (tauro-conjugated bile acids) are more water-soluble and are considered more efficient at forming micelles—microscopic structures that trap and dissolve cholesterol—than those conjugated with glycine. A higher ratio of taurine-conjugated bile acids to glycine-conjugated bile acids makes bile less prone to cholesterol saturation.

Therefore, by increasing the availability of taurine through supplementation, the body is encouraged to produce more tauro-conjugated bile acids. This improves the cholesterol-solubilizing capacity of the bile, lowers the cholesterol saturation index, and may help prevent the formation of cholesterol gallstones or even aid in the dissolution of existing small stones.

Bile Acid Conjugation: A Potential Target for the Treatment of Human Diseases - Frontiers in Pharmacology

Taurine: A Conditionally Essential Amino Acid in Humans? - Linus Pauling Institute

There are no official, universally agreed-upon treatment guidelines for using taurine to dissolve gallstones. The information available is derived from scientific studies investigating its effect on bile composition and from protocols used in alternative health circles. It is critical to discuss dosage with a healthcare provider to determine what is appropriate for your specific situation.

• Dosage: Dosages used in studies to alter bile composition typically range from 500 mg to 3,000 mg (3 grams) per day. A common starting point mentioned in anecdotal reports and by some practitioners is 1,000 mg per day.
• Form: Taurine is available in capsule or powder form. The powder can be mixed with water or juice.
• Timing: It is generally recommended to take taurine in divided doses, often with meals, to improve absorption and minimize potential gastrointestinal discomfort. For example, taking 500 mg two to three times a day with breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
• Combination Therapy: In many protocols, taurine is not used in isolation. It is often combined with other substances believed to support liver and gallbladder health, such as lecithin (a source of phospholipids) and Vitamin C. The theory is that this provides multiple components needed for healthy, cholesterol-solubilizing bile.

Note: This approach is intended to work slowly over a period of months or even longer. It is not a "quick flush" and is generally considered for small, non-calcified cholesterol stones.

Oral taurine supplementation reduces lithocholic acid-induced cholestasis in humans - Digestive Diseases and Sciences (Study using 1.5g/day)

The scientific evidence focuses more on taurine's ability to favorably alter bile chemistry rather than on large-scale clinical trials proving it dissolves existing gallstones in a large population. The evidence demonstrates the mechanism is plausible and effective at its core function.

• A foundational study published in The Lancet in 1979 showed that administration of taurine (1.5 g/day) to patients with gallstones significantly decreased the cholesterol saturation of their bile. This provided early human evidence that taurine supplementation could directly and positively impact the chemical precursor to gallstone formation. Effect of taurine on human bile - The Lancet
• A study in the World Journal of Gastroenterology explored the effects of taurine on bile acid metabolism in patients with chronic hepatitis. While the focus wasn't solely on gallstones, it confirmed that taurine supplementation (2 g, three times a day) could significantly alter the composition of bile acids, promoting the formation of tauro-conjugated bile acids, which is the key mechanism for improving cholesterol solubility. Effects of taurine on bile acid metabolism in patients with chronic hepatitis - World Journal of Gastroenterology
• Animal studies have been more direct. For example, research on mice has shown that taurine supplementation can prevent the formation of cholesterol gallstones in animals fed a lithogenic (stone-forming) diet. These studies provide strong supporting evidence for the biochemical principles observed in humans. Taurine prevents cholesterol gallstone formation in mice - Amino Acids

In summary, human studies confirm that taurine supplementation successfully and safely reduces cholesterol saturation in bile. While large-scale trials focused on dissolving existing stones are lacking, the strong evidence for its mechanism of action provides a solid scientific basis for its use.