That's according to a study published in the journal Nutrition.
A key mechanism involved in ageing is accumulated damage to our cells and organs by oxidative stress. This in turn is the result of an assault on those cells and organs by the toxic by-products of cellular reactions, called reactive oxygen species or oxygen free radicals.
Lifestyle habits such as smoking, drinking, sunbathing, lack of exercise and pollution as well as natural processes such as eating and breathing can all result in the production of reactive oxygen species, which our bodies keep in balance either by the production of their own inbuilt antioxidants or by us consuming antioxidants in food.
As we get older, however, these natural defences become less efficient, leaving us prey to a host of chronic diseases including cardiovascular diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer.
The study
Researchers from the University of São Paulo (USP) in Brazil wanted to find out if the amino acid taurine, found in fish, shellfish, chicken, turkey, and beef, could help combat oxidative damage and so act as an anti-ageing therapy.
Need to know
Taurine is a so-called semi-essential amino acid, which has been used as an effective antioxidant due to its ability to neutralise a toxic oxidant produced by white blood cells, that is triggered by inflammation.
Long-term, low-grade inflammation – inflammageing – is thought to contribute to ageing and the chronic diseases that accompany it.
As well as being found in food, taurine is also naturally produced in certain tissues, especially the liver, and is important for the function of the central nervous system, immunity, eyesight and fertility.
To this end the researchers randomly assigned 24 healthy but sedentary women aged between 55 and 70 to take either three 500mg capsules of taurine a day for 16 weeks (1.5g per day) or to take dummy capsules containing corn starch as a placebo.
The researchers analysed markers of oxidative stress in blood samples taken before and at the end of the intervention.
The results
In the group that took the taurine supplement, the researchers observed an almost 20% increase in levels of a naturally produced antioxidant enzyme: superoxide dismutase (SOD), one of the body's major inbuilt antioxidants. This was in comparison to a decrease of 3.5% in the control group. As the researchers explain, SOD protects cells against harmful reactions of the superoxide radical.
Says Professor Ellen de Freitas, of the Ribeirão Preto School of Physical Education and Sports (EEFERP-USP), co-principal investigator: "Preventing the build-up 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 [of taurine], none of which was observed in any of the participants."
Other oxidative stress markers
The researchers also analysed other markers of oxidative stress, including the antioxidant enzyme glutathione reductase (GR), which decreased significantly in both groups, and malondialdehyde (MDA), which increased 23% in the control group and decreased 4% in the taurine supplementation group.
"These results were modest, but we believe a higher dose of taurine could produce stronger evidence for its benefits," adds Freitas.
First author of the study, Gabriela Abud, a PhD candidate at the Ribeirão Preto Medical School (FMRP-USP), surmises that changes in the volunteers' diet in the early months of the pandemic owing to lockdown may have affected the results of the biochemical analysis.
"In addition to markers of oxidative stress, we analysed levels of minerals such as selenium, zinc, magnesium and calcium, which are important to the functioning of these enzymes. Selenium, for example, is a co-factor for glutathione peroxidase [which indirectly helps eliminate hydrogen peroxide from the organism] and was reduced in both groups."
What it means to you
The study adds to a growing body of research suggesting that taurine could help in the treatment of some of the chronic diseases that become more common as we age.
This was only a small study, and more research is needed to disentangle the potential risks and benefits of taurine supplementation. What's more, as Freitas observes, taurine supplementation is only the cherry on the cake and cannot work miracles on its own.
"A healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet and regular exercise is fundamental for the anti-ageing effect to occur," she says.
Nonetheless, the study is an intriguing one that offers potential promise of a way to help slow the ageing process. Watch this space.