Sao Paulo, Brazil — Certain nutrients may be a secret ingredient in new anti-aging therapies.Researchers at the University of Sao Paulo say that amino acids Taurine Can help fight the aging process.
When cells process oxygen and food, the human body produces potentially toxic by-products called “free radicals.” Some of these molecules perform essential functions in the body, but too many free radicals can damage the internal structure of the cell, causing it to malfunction and cause chronic disease. This cell problem is known as oxidative stress.
As we grow older, the efficiency of control mechanisms that help maintain the proper balance of reactive oxygen species decreases. This is where diet and taurine come into play.
What is taurine?
Taurine is a nutrient found in certain foods such as fish, crustaceans, chicken, turkey and beef. It is also a naturally occurring substance in some tissues of the human body, especially in the liver. According to researchers, taurine is also important for central nervous system health, immunity, vision and fertility.
In this study, the authors of the study divided 24 women between the ages of 55 and 70 into two groups. One group took three 500 milligrams of taurine capsules daily for 16 weeks and the other group took placebo.
Researchers analyzed oxidative stress markers in blood samples collected before and after the study.They found an almost 20 percent increase in antioxidant enzymes Superoxide dismutase (SOD) Taurine Group. On the other hand, there was a 3.5% decrease in the placebo group. Researchers explain that SOD protects cells from the harmful reactions of free radicals. Antioxidants generally suppress free radicals and reduce oxidative stress.
“By preventing the accumulation of naturally occurring free radicals with aging, we may be able to prevent chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and high blood pressure,” said a co-principal researcher at Ribeirampreto School of Physical Education. One professor, Elende Freitas, said. Sports and media releases.
Freitas says few studies have examined the effects of taurine in the context of aging.
“This study was the first step aimed at investigating the ideal dose and possible side effects, but it was not observed by any of the participants,” Freitas said.
Freitas’ group has been studying the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of taurine for over a decade. First high-performance athletes, then obese people.
“The results show that oxidative stress in these individuals can be controlled by supplementing the diet with this amino acid. Next, we decided to test the strategy in the context of aging. This is very novel. So we started with a very low safe dose, “Freitas explains.
Taurine could be an anti-aging treatment “cherry on a cake”
The study was initially aimed at investigating the effects of taurine supplementation in combination with exercise, but the COVID-19 pandemic discontinued that approach. As a result, researchers could monitor remotely and continued only the nutritional part of the study.
Researchers analyzed two oxidative stress markers other than SOD. Glutathione reductase, an antioxidant enzyme that was significantly reduced in both groups, and malondialdehyde, which was increased by 23% in the control group and decreased by 4% in the taurine group.
“These results were modest, but we believe that higher taurine doses provide stronger evidence of their benefits,” says Freitas.
Gabriella Abd, lead author of the study and PhD candidate at Ribey Lampreto Medical College, said that changes in the volunteer diet during the early months of the COVID-19 blockade affected biochemical analysis results. It states that it may have been.
“In addition to markers of oxidative stress, we analyzed the levels of minerals such as selenium, zinc, magnesium, and calcium that are important for the functioning of these enzymes,” says Abd. “For example, selenium is a cofactor for glutathione peroxidase. [which indirectly helps eliminate hydrogen peroxide from the organism] Decreased in both groups. “
Freitas called taurine supplements “cherries on cakes” to combat the aging process, but people still need a healthy diet and exercise.
“A healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet and regular exercise is the basis for anti-aging benefits,” says Freitas.