An abundant intracellular amino acid in skeletal muscle and similar to Creatine, it draws water in muscle cells and acts as a cell volumizer. This in turn draws additional nutrients for recovery and growth, increasing cell volume and enhancing muscle fullness. And like Creatine, Taurine is not present in whey protein, whereas all other essential and nonessential amino acids are. With intense exercise comes changes in electrolyte concentration both inside and outside of the cell, i.e. loss of muscle K+ and gain of Na+, Cl- and Ca2+. Detrimental changes in osmolarity are a consequence of membrane excitability driven by ion imbalance and cells combat this by manipulating organic osmolytes such as Taurine. Taurine regulates water and mineral salts in the blood. It maintains movement of potassium, magnesium and sodium across the cell membranes and regulates ion balance between cells. Due to its ability to regulate electrolytes, it may play a role in preventing muscle cramping. Taurine + Creatine: The PERFECT Cell Volumizers. It also plays a role in muscle contraction, as it has been shown to increase the rate at which the sarcoplasmic reticulum accumulates Ca2+ in both type I and type II muscle fibers. Thus, it enhances the ability of the muscles to generate force by increasing the uptake and release of calcium ions. Muscle contraction leads to an increase in nitric oxide synthase and/or nitric oxide (NO). Increases in NO have been shown to enhance glucose uptake in skeletal muscles which may enhance exercise intensity and post-exercise recovery and plays a role in Nitric Oxide production (NO gas present during muscle contraction and blood vessel dilation) and therefore may enhance the workout session and lead to a more rigorous workout. ALLMAX Essentials Taurine is a pure, free flowing, flavorless, unsweetened white crystalline powder that mixes easily, allowing you to add it to anything you like. Similar to Glutamine, it can also be considered a conditionally essential amino acid during times of intense physical training when the body may require additional Taurine due to increased physical demand.