Is Taurine the Amino Acid of Longevity?

Let’s continue considering whether some level of protein restriction, even occasional, might lead to better metabolism and longer life. Although it may seem obvious that restricting food intake should prolong life, in the previous post this was not the case . The longest lifespan was observed in mice that consumed the most essential amino acids as their protein source (20% cal in the diet). Overall, this was not a deficient diet at all. On the contrary, a very rich diet that excluded unnecessary amino acids—which the body can synthesize as needed—ensured the mice’s health. This could serve as a warning for us: restricting these indispensable nutrients might not be such a good idea, as it may not lead to better health or longer life. Still, in some cases, it might appear that way. Let’s try a different approach. We know of one amino acid that has a proven effect on cellular aging. It’s called taurine. We’ve already come across it once before when I discussed the effects of restricting s...