A recent study conducted by Indian researchers has identified a significant link between taurine, an essential nutrient found in various foods and produced within the body, and the aging process in mammals. The findings suggest that taurine could potentially serve as a “fountain of youth.”
Published in the esteemed journal Science, the study further demonstrated that taurine supplements can slow down the aging process in worms, mice, and monkeys.
Extensive experiments conducted on mice revealed that the administration of taurine led to an average lifespan increase of 12 percent in female mice and 10 percent in males. In practical terms, this equates to an additional three to four months of life for mice, which corresponds to approximately seven or eight human years.
Lead researcher Vijay Yadav, affiliated with the Metabolic Research Laboratories at the National Institute of Immunology in New Delhi, stated, “For the last 25 years, scientists have been striving to identify factors that not only extend our lifespan but also enhance our healthspan, the period of time during which we enjoy good health in our old age.” Yadav, who is also an Assistant Professor of Genetics & Development at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, added, “This study suggests that taurine could be an inherent elixir of life within us, enabling us to live longer and healthier lives.”
While clinical trials are necessary to confirm the benefits of taurine in humans, the researchers expressed optimism based on two separate experiments. In the first experiment, Yadav and his team examined the relationship between taurine levels and approximately 50 health indicators in a group of 12,000 European adults aged 60 and above. The results indicated that individuals with higher taurine levels exhibited better overall health, including reduced instances of Type-2 diabetes, lower obesity rates, decreased hypertension, and lower levels of inflammation.
Yadav clarified, “These associations do not establish causation. However, the results are consistent with the possibility that taurine deficiency contributes to human aging.”
The second study conducted by the researchers demonstrated that taurine levels increase with exercise among athletes, including sprinters, endurance runners, and natural bodybuilders. Yadav commented, “Irrespective of the individuals’ backgrounds, all subjects exhibited elevated taurine levels after exercise, suggesting that some of the health benefits associated with physical activity may be attributed to the increase in taurine.”
Yadav further elaborated, “Taurine is naturally produced in our bodies and can be obtained through a balanced diet. It has no known toxic effects, although concentrated usage is rare, and its levels can be augmented through exercise. As taurine levels decline with age, restoring taurine to a youthful level during old age holds promise as an effective anti-aging strategy.” (Edited)