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Can Taurine Slow Aging? Here’s What the Latest Science Says

Anti-aging supplements become popular based more on hype than hard evidence—but researchers are starting to investigate some of the more promising ones to add some scientific rigor to the claims. The latest is the amino acid taurine: a familiar ingredient in energy drinks and one that scientists have been studying for decades, albeit for reasons other than aging. In a paper published June 8 in Science, researchers report on encouraging results that show taurine can slow aging in a number of animal species, including worms, mice, and monkeys. In people, the team also reports that taurine levels decline with age and can be boosted with exercise. Taurine has intrigued the scientific community…

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 Taurine: A “very essential” amino acid

Because it is one of the few amino acids not used in protein synthesis, taurine is often referred to as a “nonessential” amino acid, or more generously as a “conditionally essential” amino acid. Considering its broad distribution, its many cytoprotective attributes, and its functional significance in cell development, nutrition, and survival, these are clearly misnomers. Taurine is undoubtedly one of the most essential substances in the body.

Articles of Interest

Animals given taurine supplements in ‘groundbreaking’ study had longer lifespans

Taurine has intrigued the scientific community since its discovery 200 years ago in ox bile. It plays a hand in multiple life-sustaining functions, such as supporting heart health, metabolism, and promoting the growth of new brain cells. Previous research has linked taurine deficiency to deteriorating eyesight, increased inflammation in the brain, and skeletal problems—all issues seen in age-associated disorders. What’s more, taurine, which has neuroprotective effects against toxicity, is found in low amounts for people with neurodegenerative conditions.

Can Energy Drinks or Taurine Supplements Give You Wings?

While taurine will not give you wings, it does have some interesting features. In humans, taurine levels decline with age and lower levels of taurine and its metabolites are associated with obesity, diabetes, hypertension and inflammation. That brings up the question of potential benefits of taurine supplements.

Common energy drink ingredient taurine ‘may slow ageing process’

Scientists call for major clinical trial after lifespans of mice extended by boosting levels of micronutrient

Effects and Mechanisms of Taurine as a Therapeutic Agent

Taurine is an abundant, β-amino acid with diverse cytoprotective activity. In some species, taurine is an essential nutrient but in man it is considered a semi-essential nutrient, although cells lacking taurine show major pathology. These findings have spurred interest in the potential use of taurine as a therapeutic agent. The discovery that taurine is an effective therapy against congestive heart failure led to the study of taurine as a therapeutic agent against other disease conditions. Today, taurine has been approved for the treatment of congestive heart failure in Japan and shows promise in the treatment of several other diseases.

Energy Drinks: Wassup With Supplements?

The taurine used in energy drinks is produced synthetically in commercial laboratories. Since excess taurine is excreted by the kidneys, it’s improbable that someone could overdose on the supplemental form. To be on the safe side, one expert recommends staying under 3,000 mg per day. Animal experiments have shown that taurine acts as an antioxidant and may have anti-anxiety and anti-epileptic properties. Some studies have even suggested that dosages of the amino acid may help to stave off age-related bodily degeneration.

From Energy Drinks to Extending Life? Supplement Slows Aging in Mice and Monkeys

Taurine helped stave off death in laboratory animals, but researchers cautioned that the supplement is not a magic elixir.

Is Taurine the Key to Longer Life? It Made Monkeys Healthier

Scientists are exploring a new biological link to longer life. Boosting levels of an amino acid called taurine made mice and worms live longer, according to research published Thursday in the journal Science. Middle-aged monkeys given taurine supplements became healthier, researchers said. In humans, lower levels of taurine were associated with age-related problems.

Is taurine the ‘elixir of life’? Maybe, if you’re a worm, mouse or monkey

Taurine, an amino acid often used by body builders and added to energy or sports drinks, may be an “elixir of life,” according to the author of a new study — at least when it comes to extending the health and lifespan of worms, mice and monkeys. Will it be helpful — or potentially harmful —in people? No one knows, so save your money, experts say.

Taurine deficiency as a driver of aging

Taurine abundance decreases during aging. A reversal of this decline through taurine supplementation increases health span and life span in mice and worms and health span in monkeys. This identifies taurine deficiency as a driver of aging in these species. To test whether taurine deficiency is a driver of aging in humans as well, long-term, well-controlled taurine supplementation trials that measure health span and life span as outcomes are required.

Taurine May Be a Key to Longer and Healthier Life

A deficiency of taurine—a nutrient produced in the body and found in many foods—is a driver of aging in animals, according to a new study led by Columbia researchers and involving dozens of aging researchers around the world. The same study also found that taurine supplements can slow down the aging process in worms, mice, and monkeys and can even extend the healthy lifespans of middle-aged mice by up to 12%.

Taurine reduces the risk for metabolic syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Taurine supplementation exhibits positive effects on multiple MetS-related factors, making it a potential dietary addition for individuals at risk of or already experiencing MetS. Future research may explore dose-optimization strategies and potential long-term benefits of taurine for MetS management.

What is taurine and how can it improve psychosis?

Our results showed people given taurine had significantly improved overall mental health symptoms, including those of psychosis, compared to those given placebo. People given taurine also showed improvement in depression symptoms and overall social and occupational functioning.

Resources

14+ Health Benefits of Taurine

Taurine is a semi-essential amino acid also called 2-aminoethanesulfonic acid. Although scientists have known about it for more than two centuries, its health benefits have only recently become clear.