Recent Studies have shown Taurine may help specific body systems function better.
Ageing is a natural and biological process that can’t be stopped or reversed. Some age gracefully and some can’t accept the fact that youth diminishes bringing in wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging skin. Who doesn’t want to stay young? If ageing can’t be stopped, can it be delayed? Yes, it might be possible. Also, the great news is that you don’t have to go for any unnatural processes and surgeries for the same. All you have to do is eat better and healthy. Because remember, you are what you eat. And what you eat shows on your face first. Make these anti-ageing foods your staple for lifelong glow, radiance, and skin health.
Recent studies have shed new light on the benefits of taurine, an amino acid naturally found in the human body. Consultant Gastroenterologist Dr. Sarathchandra Gorantla, Hepatologist, and advanced Therapeutic Endoscopist, shares how supplementing with taurine could help slow down aging processes in the body and support better functioning of specific organ systems as we age. Taurine plays a crucial role in many critical cellular functions. It helps stabilize cell membranes, regulates calcium levels inside cells, and acts as an antioxidant to reduce oxidative stress in tissues. As we age, taurine levels in the body gradually decline. This contributes to age-related degeneration and increased vulnerability to diseases over time.
Several studies on animals have found that maintaining optimal taurine levels through supplementation can help counteract regular age-related changes. Rats supplemented with taurine demonstrated better memory and learning abilities than non-supplemented rats as they age. Taurine also supported heart health – supplemented rats had lower blood pressure and better cardiac function than others.
More recent human studies have validated these anti-aging effects of taurine. In one study, 300 mg of daily taurine supplementation improved metabolic function in middle-aged and older adults. It enhanced insulin sensitivity and helped lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels over six months. These factors are critical for maintaining overall health and reducing disease risk as we age.
Another study gave taurine supplements to men and women aged 60-75 years for 12 weeks. Researchers evaluated multiple markers of aging and found notable differences in the supplemented group. Taurine helped reduce oxidative stress levels, improved fatty acid profiles in blood, and supported better muscle strength and motor function compared to placebo. These effects suggest it may delay certain biological aspects of aging.
Taurine exerts these anti-aging properties through its antioxidant and membrane-stabilizing activities. It can scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated during cellular metabolism. As we age, ROS levels increase, leading to chronic, low-level oxidative damage in tissues over time. Taurine counteracts this damage and protects against age-related decline in the structure and function of cells and organs. Specifically for the cardiovascular and nervous systems, taurine shows promise in supporting better functioning with age. Studies also link taurine to cognitive benefits like enhancing memory and concentration – which are critical for the aging brain. Maintaining optimal levels through diet or supplements can help these vital systems stay healthy into advanced age.
While more research is still needed, preliminary evidence suggests taurine is essential in slowing down aging processes at cellular and systemic levels in the body. As taurine levels deplete with advancing age, supplementation may help offset this and support healthier aging by combating oxidative stress, improving metabolic markers, and aiding brain and heart functions. More clinical trials are underway to further establish taurine as an effective anti-aging nutrient that everyone should consider as part of their diet, especially as they age.