Put the brakes on aging? The latest science says…

It’s been there all along. Our bodies naturally make this amino acid, and it can be taken as a supplement. After decades of studies, researchers are adding scientific support to the anti-aging claims of taurine.

Here’s what we know.

Taurine is produced in the brain, heart and reproductive organs. It’s also found in meat, fish, and eggs. Findings suggest that as we age, taurine production drops. Years of testing have favorably shown that taurine supplements plus exercise can slow aging, extend lifespan and improve health quality.  

When scientists fed older mice taurine supplements, the mice lived on average 10% to 12% longer compared to control group. Other health metrics improved as well. Using pre-existing health data from a large study of 12,000 people, blood samples that included taurine data confirmed what had been discovered with animal testing—that people with higher taurine levels had lower levels of blood glucose, cholesterol, and inflammation. All of these factors can directly impact aging.

Researchers need to validate findings with human studies before ultimately singing taurine’s anti-aging praises. However, if you’re antsy about aging, try living in a 592 square-foot underwater research station for 100 days. Scientists were shocked to find that the researcher’s body tested 10 years younger. But that’s a story for another time.

ARTICLE: TIME MAGAZINE TALKS TAURINE