Scientists from the University of Alberta have discovered that higher levels of taurine may help improve long-term Covid. The research was published in the journal Cell Reports Medicine.
In the study, doctors followed 117 patients admitted to a hospital in Alberta with acute Covid-19 infection. Blood samples were taken at admission and six months later, and medical data was collected for 18 months. Long-term Covid developed in 55 patients. This condition may also be accompanied by shortness of breath, muscle weakness, fatigue, and thinking and memory problems.
Using machine learning, researchers developed a model to predict clinical outcomes after discharge. It detected negative outcomes with 83% accuracy. In general, longer and more severe cases of long Covid were associated with lower taurine levels. Scientists noted that patients with high levels of taurine in their blood had significantly fewer ongoing symptoms and felt better.
Taurine is an amino acid found in meat and fish and also produced by the human liver. It helps regulate many physiological functions, including the immune system. The scientists noted that they do not recommend the use of taurine supplements: although they are relatively safe, evidence of their effectiveness needs to be obtained in clinical studies.
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