An Anti-Aging Clue

We need amino acids to survive since they’re the building blocks of proteins. Our bodies can make some amino acids while others are in the foods we eat. Scientists are studying an amino acid called Taurine, which has been shown to slow aging in animals. They’re asking whether it does the same for us.  

Human 5-year-olds have three times the levels of taurine in their blood compared to sixty-year-olds. Other studies in humans suggest taurine can act as a neurotransmitter in our brain and play a role in the digestion of fats.  But can it promote longevity in humans? Research has shown supplemental taurine can extend the life of worms and mice and improve the long-term health of monkeys.   

Mice given taurine for a year showed improved bone mass, enhanced muscle strength, and decreased insulin resistance.  Their lifespan also increased by more than 10 percent. Some of these effects were also seen in monkeys including lower stress levels and anxiety. 

In a population health study on more than 10,000 European adults, those who had higher taurine levels had lower hypertension rates, obesity, and incidence of Type 2 diabetes.  Can we use taurine to replicate these findings in people with lower levels of taurine? Clinical trials plan to answer that question.  

We’re already ingesting taurine in food such as dairy and it’s added in some energy drinks. But we’ll have to wait to know whether spending money on taurine supplements will be worth it.