Taurine – a nutrient present in meat, fish and offered as a complement – extends life and boosts well being in a spread of animal species, scientists say.

Levels of taurine decline with age in several species, together with folks.

Experiments on middle-aged animals confirmed boosting taurine to youthful ranges prolonged life by over 10% and improved bodily and mind well being.

The researchers say taurine could also be an “elixir of life” – however topping up ranges in folks has not been examined.

So the staff, at Columbia University, in New York, suggest towards folks shopping for taurine drugs or vitality drinks filled with taurine in an try to stay longer.

The animal analysis is, nonetheless, the newest growth within the hunt for tactics of slowing ageing.

This research began by analysing molecules within the blood of various species – to discover the variations between younger and previous.

“One of the most dramatically downgraded [molecules] was taurine,” researcher Dr Vijay Yadav stated. In aged folks, ranges have been 80% decrease than within the younger.

Taurine is just about non-existent in crops. So the nutrient both comes from animal protein in eating regimen or is manufactured by the physique.

And for the previous 11 years, the analysis staff have been making an attempt to flesh out its function in ageing.

A day by day dose was given to 14-month-old mice, which is equal to about age 45 for people.

“Whatever we checked, taurine-supplemented mice were healthier and appeared younger,” Dr Yadav stated.

“They were leaner, had an increased energy expenditure, increased bone density, improved memory and a younger-looking immune system.”

Increases in lifespan of 10-23% have been additionally recorded in worms.

Then, 15-year-old rhesus monkeys got a six-month course of taurine – too quick to note a distinction in life expectancy however, once more, the researchers discovered enhancements in physique weight, bone, blood-sugar ranges and the immune system.

“I thought this is almost too good to be true,” stated Prof Henning Wackerhage, who was concerned within the analysis on the Technical University of Munich. “Taurine somehow hits the engine room of ageing.”

But most of the large questions stay unanswered:

The researchers carried out an evaluation of 12,000 folks and confirmed these with extra taurine of their blood have been typically in higher well being.

If the information from mice utilized to folks, it could be the equal of an additional seven to eight years of life, they are saying.

But it’ll take correct scientific trials – the place some individuals are given the nutrient and others a placebo tablet – to see if any profit could be detected.

Differences in human biology could cease taurine from working or there could also be some evolutionary purpose why ranges are supposed to fall with age. Current proof – together with vitality drinks being in the marketplace for many years – suggests taurine is secure.

While taurine is in our eating regimen, it could be onerous to eat the portions used within the experiments. The equal dose from the animal experiments, scaled as much as folks could be 3-6g (0.2oz) per day.

Dr Yadav refused to say whether or not he selected to take taurine dietary supplements himself, for worry of unduly influencing folks.

He informed BBC News: “Let us wait for the clinical trials to be completed before recommending to the wider population that they go to the shelf in a grocery store and buy taurine.”

Prof Wackerhage stated fairly than speeding for dietary supplements, there have been already confirmed methods of dwelling longer.

“If you want to live a long, healthy and happy life, then you need a healthy diet – that’s one of the most important things – and of course, you should exercise,” he stated.

The scientific report suggests taurine performs a task in lowering mobile senescence – the place cells within the physique cease dividing – a trademark of ageing.

The nutrient additionally appeared to maintain mitochondria – the ability stations within the physique’s cells – functioning.

But the way it does any of this stays unexplored.

Commenting on the findings, Joseph McGaunn and Joseph Baur, each from the University of Pennsylvania, stated: “A singular focus on increasing dietary taurine risks driving poor nutritional choices, because plant-rich diets are associated with human health and longevity.

“Thus like every intervention, taurine supplementation with the purpose of enhancing human well being and longevity must be approached with warning.”