Taurine, found in body, foods, found to drive aging

New Delhi, Jun 10 (PTI) Deficiency of taurine, nutrient produced in the body and found in foods such as meat, dairy, fish, could be a driver of aging, according to a new study published in the journal Science.

Lead researcher, Vijay Yadav, assistant professor of genetics & development at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, US, and his colleagues found that administering taurine externally slowed down aging in mice and monkeys, in addition to enhancing their health.

After conducting experiments in mice, who received taurine supplements for a year, Yadav and his team including other aging researchers studying effects of taurine supplementation in several species found taurine to have increased the average lifespan in female mice by 12 per cent, in male mice by 10 per cent.