Amino acid taurine can increase the utilization of fatty acids and stimulation of lipolysis through augmentation of the expression of genes related to regulation of energy metabolism. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of taurine supplement on lipid oxidation and substrate selection during exercise in obese women. 15 obese women (Body weight: 34.53 ± 6.33 (kg), BMI: 33.12 ± 3.23 (kg/m2)) performed a standard incremental test before and after 21 days of taurine supplementation (50 mg/kg). Blood samples were collected before and after the test and breath by breath mesurment of respiratory parameters were done throughout the test. FATmax (as the point at which fat contributes the most to the consumed energy) and Cross over point (as the point at which the predominant fuel changes from fat to carbohydrates, COP) were calculated. Heart rate, workload, and oxygen consumption corresponding to FATmax and COP were determined and compared between attempts before and after supplement consumption using independent t-test and analysis of variance with repeated measures. Following taurine consumption for 21 days, the changes in serum levels of estrogen and progesterone hormones, maximum oxygen consumption, and time to exhustion during incremental exercise test were significantly higher than before supplement consumption. Nevertjeless, the consumption of supplement had no effect on heart rate, workload and oxygen consumption corresponding to FATmax and COP points. Despite the increase in performance variables during exercise, taurine supplementation has no effect on substrate selection during exercise in obese women.
