Supplementing with taurine extends the lives of animals, but it is unclear what this means for people.

A recent study suggests that taurine, a common ingredient found in energy drinks and health supplements, has the potential to increase the lifespan and improve the overall health of aging mice, worms, and monkeys. However, the extent to which these findings can be applied to humans is still unclear, highlighting the need for further research in this area.

Unraveling the Ageing Process:

Over the past few decades, scientists worldwide have been actively exploring interventions to counter the health decline associated with aging. Researchers, led by Vijay Yadav, a geneticist at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, focused their efforts on examining changes in blood levels of taurine and its impact on aging-related health issues.

Taurine's Role in Ageing:

Taurine, a naturally occurring amino acid, has been linked to various aspects of animal and human health, including immunity, bone health, and nervous system function.

The study revealed that taurine levels decline as animals age. To investigate the potential benefits, the research team provided a daily taurine supplement to a group of mice, resulting in a remarkable increase in their lifespans—around 12% in females and 10% in males—compared to control groups.

Health Benefits and Potential Implications:

The mice that received taurine supplementation experienced notable improvements in muscle endurance, strength, and immune system function. Female mice also showed a reduction in behaviors associated with depression and anxiety.

Furthermore, the researchers observed that taurine-fed worms and monkeys displayed enhanced longevity, lower body weights, denser bones, and reduced signs of liver damage.

Understanding the Mechanisms:

While the cellular-level research suggests that taurine plays a protective role and promotes cell survival, the precise mechanisms through which taurine influences cells remain incompletely understood.

Researchers emphasize the complexity of the aging process, cautioning against attributing it solely to taurine or its absence.

Dosage and Safety Considerations:

Concerns have been raised regarding the high taurine doses administered to the mice in relation to their body weight. However, the researchers argue that factors beyond body weight, such as oxygen utilization and caloric expenditure, should be taken into account when determining appropriate dosages.

The doses administered in the study fall within the safe limits recommended by the European Food Safety Authority.

Implications for Humans and Future Research:

While the results are promising, it is crucial to recognize that the study was conducted on animals, and translating these findings to humans requires further investigation.

The researchers acknowledge the need for multicentric, multinational intervention trials in humans to delve deeper into the potential health benefits of taurine supplementation.

Further exploration into the potential benefits of taurine supplementation for humans is essential to fully understand its implications.

While the study's findings offer promising insights, it is important to conduct rigorous human trials to determine the efficacy and safety of taurine supplementation in extending lifespan and improving overall health.

These trials should take into account factors such as appropriate dosages based on individual characteristics beyond body weight, potential interactions with other medications or health conditions, and long-term effects.

Multicentric, multinational intervention trials involving a diverse range of participants would provide a more comprehensive understanding of taurine's effects on human aging.

Additionally, future research should focus on unraveling the underlying mechanisms through which taurine influences cells and organs at a molecular level. By identifying specific pathways and targets, scientists can develop more targeted interventions to promote healthy aging and potentially mitigate age-related health issues.

Overall, while the study's findings highlight the potential of taurine supplementation to enhance lifespan and well-being in animals, further research is needed to determine its applicability and effectiveness in human populations. Such investigations will pave the way for evidence-based interventions that can positively impact human health and aging.

Conclusion:

Taurine supplementation has demonstrated striking effects on the lifespan and health of aging animals. However, it is important to exercise caution in extrapolating these findings to human populations.

The study serves as a starting point for future research aimed at developing treatments that can enhance human health and potentially extend lifespans.

“We are looking at what are the initial events that taurine elicits in the cells and in different organs,” Yadav said. “Only then will we be able to target specific mechanisms.”

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-023-01910-4