Taurine could increase lifespan by up to 10 percent, making it an inexpensive “elixir of life,” according to new results in animal models. This amino acid is typically found in meat and fish and decreases with age. But keeping it stored in our bodies can have a life-prolonging effect.
Researchers say taurine may be an “elixir of life.” Initial experiments have seen varying levels of success in prolonging the lifespan of aging animal models, but whether it will actually work in humans is not yet known. That’s why the team at Columbia University in New York recommends that people ‘not take’ supplements containing this ingredient to live longer, the BBC reported.
“But animal research is the latest advance in the search for ways to slow aging,” says the BBC.
In the quest for a longer life, scientists studied the semi-essential nutrient taurine. Taurine is an amino acid that is naturally synthesized in the human body (a building block of proteins), but it usually also needs to be obtained from our food, especially when we are very young or much older. Although scientists are not sure exactly what this substance does, they do know that it is quite important.
HOW DID THE STUDY BEGIN?
The new study began by analyzing molecules in the blood of different species to discover the differences between the young and the old. Researcher “One of the molecules that declined most dramatically was taurine,” said Vijay Yadav. The taurine level in the elderly was 80% lower than in the young.
Previous research suggests that taurine deficiency triggers aging and that in animals that naturally produce too little taurine, taurine deficiency promotes a range of health defects. When people were given taurine supplements in small trials, it appeared to help metabolic and inflammatory diseases, suggesting it may have health benefits.
THEY HAVE BEEN WORKING FOR 11 YEARS
Taurine is almost never found in plants. Therefore, the food either comes from animal protein in the diet or is produced by the body. And for the past 11 years, the research team has been trying to uncover the role of this nutrient in aging.
WHAT DO THE RESULTS SAY?
A daily dose was given to 14-month-old mice in the study, which corresponds to approximately 45 years of age for humans. The results, published in the journal Science, showed that male mice lived 10% longer and females 12% longer, and both were healthier. That means three to four extra months, equivalent to about seven or eight human years for mice, the researchers said.
Dr. “Regardless of what we controlled, the taurine-supplemented rats were healthier and looked younger. They were leaner, had increased energy expenditure, had increased bone density, improved memory, and looked younger immune systems,” says Yadav. In worms, 10-23% increases in life span were recorded.
Next, 15-year-old rhesus monkeys were given a six-month course of taurine. This period is too short to see the difference in life expectancy, but again, the researchers found improvements in body weight, bone, blood sugar levels and immune system.
“I thought it was too good to be true,” said Prof Henning Wackerhage, who participated in the research at the Technical University of Munich.
QUESTIONS WAITING ANSWERED
But many big questions are still unanswered:
- Could the same results be possible in humans?
- If it’s so good for health, why are taurine levels falling?
- How does it slow down aging?
- Are there any dangers from taking taurine?
The researchers then analyzed data from a study involving 12,000 European adults aged 60 and over. They showed that those with more taurine in their blood were healthier overall.
CLINICAL STUDIES SHOULD BE EXPECTED
When the team studied 12,000 people, they found that people with more taurine had better overall health, but these findings are only observational for now and no causality has yet been found.
Appropriate clinical trials will be required to see the effect of taurine on humans. Differences in human biology may prevent taurine from working. Or maybe there is another reason why it drops with age. Dr. That’s why clinical trials should be awaited, Yadav says. prof. “The results from animal experiments are impressive. But we need clinical studies to find out if it has a positive effect on aging and health duration in humans, and if there are any side effects, interactions, or the like that have yet to be noticed,” Wackerhage said. says.
For vegetarians and vegans, unfortunately, this is an amino acid that basically only comes from meat. However, it can be taken as a dietary supplement, but for now there is not enough data to quickly buy supplement taurine. Clinical trials need to be conducted, and ideally scientists need to really understand how taurine helps.
THERE ARE PROVEN WAYS TO LONG LIFE
Instead of rushing, Prof Wackerhage says there are already proven ways to live longer: “If you want to live a long, healthy and happy life, you need a healthy diet. That’s one of the most important things. And of course you have to exercise,” he said.
FOCUSING ON INCREASING TAURINE CAN BE DEFINITELY BECAUSE…
Commenting on the findings, Joseph McGaunn and Joseph Baur of the University of Pennsylvania said: “Focusing on increasing dietary taurine risks leading to poor dietary choices. Because plant-rich diets are associated with human health and longevity. Therefore, as with any intervention, Taurine supplementation should also be approached with caution to improve human health and longevity.”
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