Taurine, a semi-essential amino acid, has shown potential for slowing aging, particularly in mice. However, the effectiveness in humans and the rigorous testing it will undergo remain to be seen. Speculatively, taurine may benefit by affecting glutathione levels, showing promise in a human trial with glutathione precursors. But a deeper understanding of the metabolic effects of taurine supplementation is needed, as research has shown varied impacts on organ and cellular function. Despite the potential benefits, further large-scale studies may be needed to fully grasp its effects on aging and metabolism.
Taurine is not used for protein synthesis and is found in higher concentrations in energy-demanding organs, but its levels decline with age. Research suggests that taurine may play a role in improving metabolic health by influencing gut microbiome and bile acid conjugation. Additionally, taurine has also been linked to improving bone, retinal, and brain health in animal studies, as well as enhancing exercise endurance and myocardial function in humans. It is believed that taurine’s long-term benefits are mediated through various mechanisms, including interactions with gut microbiome and bile acid conjugation, with potential implications for metabolic therapy for diabetes mellitus and overweight individuals. Taurine also acts biologically as a calorie restriction mimetic, indicating its potential for improving long-term metabolic health by optimizing blood glucose control and HbA1c levels. Furthermore, taurine has demonstrated benefits for cardiovascular health, including improving myocardial contractility, exercise capacity, and reducing blood pressure and LDL cholesterol levels. Based on epidemiological data, maintaining a high dietary taurine intake may play a critical role in preserving long-term cardiovascular and metabolic health.
