Scientists find unique amino acid that could help slow aging

Semi-essential amino acid taurine can slow ageing, claims a new study. While the element is present in human beings, the study was done on animals and it is associated with physiological changes.

Semi-essential amino acid taurine can slow ageing, claims a new study. While the element is present in human beings, the study was done on animals and it is associated with physiological changes.

Taurine is produced in the human body and in certain foods such as meat, dairy and fish.

Published in the journal Science, lead researcher Vijay Yadav, assistant professor of genetics & development at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, US, said that administering taurine externally slowed down ageing in mice and monkeys and also enhanced their health.

The authors suggested that supplementation of taurin slowed key markers of ageing such as increased DNA damage, growth of DNA damage, telomerase deficiency, impaired mitochondrial function and cellular senescence.

After a year of conducting experiments on mice who received taurine supplements, the researchers found that this amino acid increased the average lifespan in female mice by 12 per cent, and in male mice by 10 per cent (seven to eight human years).