Taurine, a nutrient produced naturally in our bodies and in addition present in protein supplements, can decelerate the aging process, a latest study led by Columbia researchers shows.

“For the last 25 years, scientists have been trying to seek out aspects that not only allow us to live longer, but in addition increase health span, the time we remain healthy in our old age,” study lead Vijay Yadav, an assistant professor of genetics and development at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, told Medical Express. “This study suggests that taurine could possibly be an elixir of life inside us that helps us live longer and healthier lives.”

The study was published June 8 in Science.

Multiple studies have proved that molecules present within the bloodstream are linked to aging. Except for this, aspects like genetic makeup, nutrition and other aspects also cause skin aging.

If a molecule is indeed a driver of aging, restoring it to its youthful levels could potentially reverse the consequences.

“We realized that if taurine is regulating all these processes that decline with age, perhaps taurine levels within the bloodstream affect overall health and lifespan,” Yadav said.

His team’s research was modeled on a previous study that found that taurine plays an important role in bone formation. Researchers also noticed a link between taurine levels and immune function, obesity and the functioning of the nervous system.

The research team found that taurine deficiency increases with age. “That is after we began to ask if taurine deficiency is a driver of the aging process, and we arrange a big experiment with mice,” Yadav noted.

As a part of the study, researchers gave taurine to mice that were about 14 months old and noticed that their average lifespan increased by a big amount. The feminine mice lived 12% longer, while the male ones lived 10% longer. Additionally they found mice that were supplemented with taurine were healthier in comparison with the others.

Moreover, it prevented weight gain in mice, promoted stronger bones and reduced insulin resistance and anxious behaviors.

“I believe taurine must also be considered,” Yadav said. “And it has some benefits: Taurine is of course produced in our bodies, it might be obtained naturally within the eating regimen, it has no known toxic effects (even though it’s rarely utilized in concentrations used ), and it might be boosted by exercise.”

“Taurine abundance goes down with age, so restoring taurine to a youthful level in old age could also be a promising anti-aging strategy,” he explained.

Consumption of caffeine and taurine energy drinks spike heart contractions per hour.
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.com.

Published by Medicaldaily.com