A recent study whose results were published in Science Magazine found that "[t]he median life span of taurine-treated mice increased by 10 to 12%, and life expectancy at 28 months increased by about 18 to 25%. A meaningful antiaging therapy should not only improve life span but also health span, the period of healthy living."

 

https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abn9257

 

Taurine is a naturally occurring compound found in the body, particularly in the brain, heart, and muscles. Although it is commonly known as an amino acid, it technically lacks a carboxyl group and therefore is not an amino acid. It serves several important functions and is involved in neurotransmission, cardiovascular regulation, and antioxidant activity.

 

Benefits

 

Cardiovascular health: Taurine has been found to have positive effects on various aspects of cardiovascular health. It may help regulate blood pressure, improve lipid profiles by reducing levels of cholesterol and triglycerides, and enhance arterial function. Taurine's antioxidant properties may also contribute to protecting the heart from oxidative stress.

 

Exercise performance and muscle function: Taurine has been linked to improved exercise performance and muscle function. It may help reduce exercise-induced oxidative stress, improve endurance, and delay fatigue. Taurine's role in regulating calcium levels in muscle cells may also support muscle contractility and overall performance.

 

Eye health: Taurine is found in high concentrations in the retina, where it plays a crucial role in visual function. It has been associated with the protection of retinal cells against oxidative damage and may contribute to maintaining optimal vision.

 

Brain function and neurological health: Taurine acts as a neurotransmitter and neuromodulator in the brain, and research suggests it may have neuroprotective properties. Some studies indicate that taurine supplementation may support cognitive function, memory, and learning, as well as potentially have a positive impact on neurological disorders such as epilepsy.

 

Antioxidant effects: Taurine exhibits antioxidant properties, which help neutralize harmful free radicals in the body. This antioxidant activity may contribute to various health benefits, including protection against oxidative stress-related diseases and the aging process.

 

 

Taurine effects on 12 Hallmarks of Aging:

 

 

Telomere Attrition:

 

Taurine's antioxidant properties reduce oxidative stress, indirectly supporting telomere integrity and slowing down telomere shortening, which is associated with accelerated aging.

 

 

Epigenetic Alterations:

 

Taurine influences DNA methylation and histone modifications, key epigenetic modifications involved in epigenetics. It can potentially impact gene expression by promoting global DNA hypomethylation and altering histone modifications.

 

 

Cellular Scenescence:

 

Taurine's antioxidant properties neutralize free radicals, reducing oxidative stress and potentially mitigating cellular senescence. Its anti-inflammatory effects modulate inflammatory signaling pathways, reducing pro-inflammatory molecules, and influencing cellular senescence by attenuating inflammation.

 

Inflammation:

 

Taurine helps to mitigate inflammation by suppressing pro-inflammatory molecules, reducing oxidative stress, and inhibiting immune cell activation.

 

Dysregulated Autophagy:

 

Taurine helps activate autophagy by increasing the expression of important genes involved in this process, and it also enhances the formation of structures called autophagosomes, which play a critical role in removing cellular waste and maintaining cellular health.

 

Genomic instability:

 

Taurine exhibits antioxidant activity, safeguarding DNA from damage, and supports DNA repair mechanisms, which helps maintain genomic stability. Moreover, it shields against genotoxic agents, such as heavy metals and environmental toxins, reducing DNA damage and genomic instability through scavenging reactive species and promoting DNA repair pathways.

 

Mitochondrial Dysfunction:

 

Taurine supports mitochondrial function, crucial for cellular energy production, preventing metabolic disorders associated with mitochondrial dysfunction. Additionally, taurine plays a role in energy metabolism, contributing to energy production and utilization in various cellular pathways.

 

Stem Cell Exhaustion:

 

Taurine influences stem cell differentiation, promoting differentiation into neuronal or muscle cell lineages through gene expression and signaling pathway modulation. It supports stem cell survival and proliferation by enhancing viability and protecting them from stress, aided by its antioxidant properties and ability to reduce oxidative stress.

 

Loss of Proteostasis:

 

Taurine aids in proteostasis, acting as a chemical chaperone to maintain proper protein structure. It prevents protein misfolding and aggregation. Taurine's antioxidant activity also reduces oxidative stress, protecting proteins from further damage and ensuring their proper function and structure.

 

Deregulated Nutrient Sensing:

 

Taurine preserves metabolic health and prevents complications improving insulin sensitivity, regulating lipid metabolism, and acting as an antioxidant.

 

Intercelluar Communication:

 

Taurine influences cellular communication and neuronal activity by acting as a neurotransmitter and neuromodulator, enhancing inhibitory neurotransmission and modulating ion channels and calcium signaling.

 

Microbiome Dysbiosis:

 

Taurine prevents dysbiosis by modulating gut microbiota composition, promoting a favorable profile, and influencing the production of beneficial short-chain fatty acids.

 

 

 

Sources:

 

The effects of taurine supplementation on diabetes mellitus in humans: A systematic review and meta-analysis

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9235038/

 

Taurine deficiency as a driver of aging

https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abn9257

 

Review: taurine: a "very essential" amino acid

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23170060/

 

Effects of Taurine on Gut Microbiota Homeostasis: An Evaluation Based on Two Models of Gut Dysbiosis

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10135931/

 

The role of taurine in improving neural stem cells proliferation and differentiation

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26906683/

 

 

"The median life span of taurine-treated mice increased by 10 to 12%, and life expectancy at 28 months increased by about 18 to 25%. A meaningful antiaging therapy should not only improve life span but also health span, the period of healthy living."

https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abn9257

 

 

"A dietary supplement taken by fitness buffs could hold the key to a longer and healthier life, suggests a new study of mice, monkeys and worms."

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/08/health/taurine-supplements-aging.html