A Study on Taurine Shows It Could Lead to a Longer and Healthier Life.

Living a long, healthy life is something that many people strive for. However, aging is caused by a variety of variables, and its complexity is currently being understood by researchers. New research now raises the possibility that the vitamin taurine may play a role.

Numerous investigations on both humans and animals were undertaken for the study, which was conducted by hundreds of aging researchers worldwide and published in the journal Science.

The researchers determined that levels of taurine decline with aging after initially examining levels in the blood of mice, monkeys, and humans. Humans' taurine levels, for instance, were almost one-third lower in 60-year-olds than in 5-year-olds.

The 250 14-month-old mice, which are equivalent to around 45 years in human years, were then given either a daily bolus of taurine or a control solution by the researchers. The researchers found that the male mice's longevity increased by 10%, while the female mice's lifespan increased by 12%. (In mice, this equated to three to four extra months, while in humans, it was roughly seven to eight extra years.)

Other studies on mice revealed that those who consumed taurine for a year at age two—roughly equivalent to 60 human years—were generally healthier than those who did not use the supplement.

Similar outcomes were observed in middle-aged monkeys that received daily taurine supplementation for a period of six months. The nutrition stopped weight growth, decreased fasting blood glucose and indicators of liver damage, boosted spine and leg bone density, and strengthened the subjects' immune systems.

It's crucial to remember that the research primarily involved animals rather than people. According to research co-author Vijay Yadav, Ph.D., an assistant professor of genetics and development at Columbia University, "these studies suggest that taurine abundance is a regulator of health in old age and its supplementation may have positive effects as well." "Conducting a controlled trial in humans is our next objective."

Here is what you need to know:

According to Jessica Cording, R.D., author of The Little Book of Game-Changers, taurine is an amino acid that naturally exists in foods containing protein, such as meat or fish.

According to the Mayo Clinic, your body utilizes taurine for cellular functions, including energy production. Additionally, taurine aids in the balancing of your body's fluids, salts, and minerals as well as the processing of bile acid.

According to Scott Keatley, R.D., co-owner of Keatley Medical Nutrition Therapy, "Unlike many other amino acids, taurine is not used in the construction of proteins." Taurine is a micronutrient that the body can make some of but not always enough of, making it a semi-essential micronutrient. So, eating is sometimes necessary, especially during stressful times.

According to Keatley, taurine is "abundantly" present in the brain, retina, heart, and platelets, which are blood cells.

Taurine is "very commonly" included to energy drinks, according to Cording, so take note of that.

The effects of taurine on humans have not been the subject of many investigations. However, studies have demonstrated that it contributes to a number of cognitive functions. It's a crucial nutrient for brain health, according to Cording.

According to Cording, it's occasionally mentioned as a crucial nutrient for heart health. According to studies, taurine possesses anti-inflammatory properties that may help control blood pressure and even offer some protection against cardiovascular disease.

According to Keatley, taurine was already known to have a number of possible health advantages before this study. It may aid in controlling diabetes by lowering insulin resistance and enhancing glucose control. Taurine may also have antioxidant qualities that could aid in reducing inflammation and preventing cellular deterioration in the body.

This crucial fact is brought up by Cording: "We don't really have any clear guidelines around taurine." Therefore, it is not advised that all Americans consume a certain amount of taurine daily. Although, according to Keatley, "athletes take taurine for improved performance, others may use it to help manage conditions like heart disease, liver disease, cystic fibrosis, and even to improve mentally."

According to Keri Gans, R.D., author of The Small Change Diet, "but most of the potential benefits of taking taurine have been associated with animal and in-vitro studies, not with humans." To verify any potential health advantages, more study in clinically supervised human trials is required.

Although taurine is "generally considered safe" when consumed in moderation. But consuming too much of it might have negative effects, such as stomach discomfort, nausea, and dizziness.

Taurine supplements should be avoided by those who have kidney issues since their kidneys might not be able to remove it from the body efficiently, causing buildup, advises Keatley.

Foods that contain taurine are available. According to Keatley, these are the main sources:

Salmon, mackerel, and shellfish are among the foods high in taurine.

Meat, darker meat often has more taurine than lighter meat, with chicken, beef, and pork all possessing some.

Milk and other dairy products, such as yogurt and cheese, contain taurine.

Energy drinks taurine is an ingredient in several energy drinks. It's important to keep in mind that these drinks frequently have high quantities of sugar and caffeine, which may not be compatible with all healthy diets, according to Keatley.

At the very least taurine has been the subject of some research, but there is still more to learn. Animals are used in the majority of taurine research studies, according to Cording. To further understand whether this is something that should be advised for humans, more studies on humans are required.

She advises concentrating on taurine-rich foods. Gans concurs. She states, "At this point, I'm not sure there is enough clinical evidence to recommend taking taurine." The majority of people may obtain sufficient amounts from their regular diet and what their bodies create, according to research.

It's important to note that Yadav does not advocate using a taurine supplement. He states, "As of now, we do not advise taurine supplementation in humans." "We must first test it among various populations and groups."

Keatley advises consulting your physician before taking a taurine supplement if you're still considering it. "If someone is interested in taking taurine, they should consult with a healthcare professional first," he advises. People who have pre-existing medical issues, women who are pregnant, or nursing mothers should pay extra attention to this.

Keatley further emphasizes that the majority of the new research linking taurine to anti-aging was conducted on mice, monkeys, and worms. The anti-aging properties of taurine in people, he claims, "need further study, particularly well-controlled human trials."