Taurine Supplementation as a Novel Therapeutic Approach for Neurocognitive Symptoms in the REcovering From COVID-19 Lingering Symptoms Adaptive Integrative Medicine (RECLAIM) Platform Trial

Long COVID (LC) affects about 10% of COVID-19 patients, causing ongoing symptoms like fatigue and cognitive issues. Research suggests that the amino acid taurine plays a crucial role in LC and similar conditions. Recent research on taurine, an amino acid important in muscle function, the nervous system, and energy metabolism. Taurine plays a vital role in aging and has shown promise in various health benefits, including antioxidant and protective effects on the heart. In a study of chronic fatigue syndrome, a metabolic analysis revealed changes in several pathways, including taurine metabolism, suggesting a potential link to the condition. We have shown that higher taurine levels are linked to better recovery in LC patients, indicating it could be a potential treatment target. Patients with higher taurine levels seemed to fare better, while those with lower or decreased levels faced more severe symptoms and outcomes over time. In summary, taurine has many beneficial properties, including anti-inflammatory properties and plays an important role in aging. We have shown that low taurine levels are associated with LC symptoms. While the findings are promising, they indicate a need for further exploration into taurine as a potential therapeutic intervention for LC.