As We See It: Dietary Supplement of Year 2023

William Faloon

In most years, no single nutrient demonstrates so much healthy longevity potential that it deserves a special award.

Our trophy criteria extend beyond the science to include:

• Affordability (not cost prohibitive)
• Practicality (easy to take)
• Availability (broad consumer access)

The last time we bestowed a prize was in 2020 when describing how low-dose lithium might enable people to live longer in better health.

This year, a major study published in the journal Science described taurine as a possible "antiaging intervention."¹ This study garnered worldwide news attention and revealed the following data:

• Blood levels of taurine in elderly humans are 80% lower than when they were younger.
• Lower taurine concentrations in humans were associated with age-related problems.
• Taurine-supplemented monkeys gained less weight and had more bone density.
• The median lifespan of taurine-treated mice was 10%-12% longer than unsupplemented mice, and life expectancy at 28 months increased by about 18%-25%.
• Middle-aged mice receiving taurine appeared healthier. They had less body fat and more bone mass than mice not getting taurine.
• Middle-aged mice also performed better in measures of muscle strength, endurance, coordination, and insulin sensitivity.
• The lifespans of worms fed taurine were lengthened 10%-23% compared to those not receiving it.
• Taurine concentrations in mice, monkeys, and worms plummeted as they grew older.
• Taurine levels in middle-aged monkeys (human equivalent about 45-50 years) were 85% lower than in younger monkeys (human equivalent about 12-14 years).

These new data sets, plus decades of experience with taurine, motivate me to nominate this consumer-friendly amino acid (taurine) as the best documented dietary supplement for the year 2023.

I am open to suggestions, but taurine fits the award criteria including consistent prior research, new findings that exceed expectations, affordability, and wide availability.

Overall, studies show that taurine is safe and can even improve kidney function^2-5

Those with end-stage renal failure, however, should avoid high-dose taurine because impaired kidney function can cause excess taurine accumulation in the blood.⁶

Vegetarians and vegans, on the other hand, should consider taurine supplements since meat is the main dietary source.⁷

What startled me was the sharp decline in taurine levels that occur in older people (80% lower in the elderly) and how this can adversely impact healthy longevity.

The "experts" urge caution regarding taurine supplements until randomized human trials are conducted.

We at Life Extension agree, but we are aging to death today. My question is who is going to pay for controlled human trials and how long will it take to obtain data?

As you'll read in this month's issue, taurine has been around for a long time, and the 2023 study published in Science reveals multiple ways that it might stave off degenerative processes.

Media Coverage of Taurine Study Published in the Journal Science.

"Taurine supplements extend lifespan and health in old age"⁸
Source: New Scientist- June 8, 2023

"Is taurine the key to longer life? It made monkeys healthier"⁹
Source: Wall Street Journal- June 9, 2023

"Taurine may extend life and health, scientists find"¹⁰
Source: BBC- June 8, 2023

"Nutrient Taurine Might Help Extend Life, Animal Studies Show"¹¹
Source: NBC News, June 9, 2023

"Can taurine slow aging? Here's what the latest science says…"¹²
Source: Time Magazine, June 8, 2023

"Taurine slows aging in mice. Will it ever work for people?"¹³
Source: Science News, June 8, 2023

"Taurine may be a key to longer and healthier life"¹⁴
Source: Columbia University, June 8, 2023

"A molecule already produced in our bodies, taurine, may be the key to a longer and healthier life"¹⁵
Source: Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute- June 13, 2024

"Is taurine the ‘elixir of life'? Maybe, if you're a worm, mouse, or monkey"¹⁶
Source: CNN- June 9, 2023

"Can Taurine, Found in Energy Drinks, Slow Down Aging?"¹⁷
Source: The New York Times- June 8, 2023

"Taurine may be key to a longer and healthier life"¹⁸
Source: Medical News Today- June 13, 2023

"Does taurine deficiency speed up aging?"¹⁹
Source: News Medical Life Sciences- June 16, 2023

"Taurine supplement: It can slow aging in animals. But …"²⁰
Source: USA Today- June 8, 2023

"Taurine's Astounding Anti-Aging Powers Raise New Questions"²¹
Source: Washington Post- June 8, 2023

"Study: Taurine May Lead to a Longer, Healthier Life"²²
Source: Prevention- June 17, 2023

For longer life,

William Faloon, Co-Founder, Life Extension®

References

1. Singh P, Gollapalli K, Mangiola S, et al. Taurine deficiency as a driver of aging. Science.2023Jun 9;380(6649):eabn9257.
2. Baliou S, Adamaki M, Ioannou P, et al. Ameliorative effect of taurine against diabetes and renal-associated disorders (Review). Med Int (Lond). 2021May-Jun;1(2):3.
3. Heidari R, Behnamrad S, Khodami Z, et al. The nephroprotective properties of taurine in colistin-treated mice is mediated through the regulation of mitochondrial function and mitigation of oxidative stress. Biomed Pharmacother.2019Jan;109:103-11.
4. Chesney RW, Han X, Patters AB. Taurine and the renal system. J Biomed Sci.2010Aug 24;17 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):S4.
5. Premanath M, Mahesh M, Babu M, et al. Can N acetyl cysteine - Taurine provide additional reduction in microalbuminuria in type 2 diabetic patients already on optimum doses of Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors&#x003F. International Journal of Health & Allied Sciences. 20192019 October-December
6. //;8:236.
7. Suliman ME, Barany P, Filho JC, et al. Accumulation of taurine in patients with renal failure. Nephrol Dial Transplant.2002Mar;17(3):528-9.
8. Schaffer S, Kim HW. Effects and Mechanisms of Taurine as a Therapeutic Agent. Biomol Ther (Seoul).2018May 1;26(3):225-41.
9. Available at: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2377645-taurine-supplements-extend-lifespan-and-health-in-old-age-in-mammals/ . Accessed August 11, 2023.
10. Available at: https://www.wsj.com/articles/is-taurine-the-key-to-longer-life-it-made-monkeys-healthier-d26a4cb4?st=mccjs5wn8isx31r&reflink=article_gmail_share . Accessed August 11, 2023.
11. Available at: https://www.bbc.com/news/health-65810138 . Accessed August 11, 2023.
12. Available at: https://www.nbcrightnow.com/lifestyles/health/nutrient-taurine-might-help-extend-life-animal-studies-show/article_53e7815f-0808-56ad-bdae-cfd0d79c6948.html . Accessed August 11, 2023.
13. Available at: https://time.com/6285686/taurine-anti-aging-supplement-science/ . Accessed August 11, 2023.
14. Available at: https://www.sciencenews.org/article/taurine-slows-aging-mice-energy-drinks . Accessed August 11, 2023.
15. Available at: https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/news/taurine-may-be-key-longer-and-healthier-life . Accessed August 11, 2023.
16. Available at: https://www.onjcri.org.au/latest-news/molecule-produced-in-bodies-taurine-may-be-key-to-longer-and-healthier-life/ . Accessed August 11, 2023.
17. Available at: https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/08/health/taurine-longevity-wellness/index.html . Accessed August 11, 2023.
18. Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/08/health/taurine-supplements-aging.html . Accessed August 11, 2023.
19. Available at: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/taurine-may-be-key-to-a-longer-and-healthier-life . Accessed August 11, 2023.
20. Available at: https://www.news-medical.net/news/20230616/Does-taurine-deficiency-speed-up-aging.aspx . Accessed August 11, 2023.
21. Available at: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2023/06/08/taurine-supplement-slows-animal-aging/70293740007/ . Accessed August 11, 2023.
22. Available at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2023/06/08/can-taurine-help-you-live-longer-and-healthier/51885dde-062b-11ee-b74a-5bdd335d4fa2_story.html . Accessed August 11, 2023.
23. Available at: https://www.prevention.com/health/a44199292/taurine-dietary-supplement-live-longer/ . Accessed August 11, 2023.