A new study suggests that amino acid taurine could be employed in anti-ageing therapies.
Researchers from the University of Sao Paulo analysed data from 24 female volunteers aged 55 to 70 who were randomly separated in two groups.
One group consumed three 500 mg capsules of taurine per day for 16 weeks while the other group received pills that simply contained placebo.
Researches examined oxidative stress markers in blood samples before and after the administration of the substance finding a 20 per cent rise in levels of the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the taurine group, against a 3.5 per cent drop in the control group.
Scientists explained that SOD protect cells from the harmful reactions of the superoxide radical.
Ellen de Freitas, professor at the Ribeirao Preto School of Physical Education and Sports, said: “Preventing the buildup of free radicals that naturally occurs with ageing probably prevents cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure, among other chronic conditions.
“This study was a first step, aimed at investigating the ideal dose and possible side effects, none of which was observed in any of the participants.”
What is amino acid taurine?
Taurine is a nutrient that can both be found in food and in the human body.
The nutrient can be found in certain foods such as fish, chicken, shellfish, beef and turkey. In the body, it is found in some tissues part of the brain, eyes, heart and muscles.
This nutrient plays an important role in the human body as it is necessary for the functioning of the central nervous system, immunity, eyesight and fertility.
Although amino acids are often referred to as the building blocks of protein, taurine isn’t used to build proteins in the body. Instead, it’s considered a conditionally essential amino acid, meaning that it becomes essential only in times of illness and stress.
