Scientists from Hong Kong and the United States have found that elevated levels of the amino acid tyrosine may shorten men's lifespan by nearly a year, without having a similar effect on women, according to infohub.kz.
A large study involving over 270,000 people revealed an unexpected link between blood tyrosine levels and longevity. The research team, led by Jie V. Zhao, Ethan Sun, Junmeng Zhang, and Kaixiong Ye from the University of Hong Kong and the University of Georgia, analyzed metabolic data from participants in the UK Biobank. The findings were published in the journal "Aging."
Tyrosine is found in protein-rich foods and is widely sold as a dietary supplement to boost concentration and improve brain function. In the body, it is involved in the synthesis of dopamine, a neurotransmitter responsible for motivation, mood, and thinking. However, using genetic analysis and Mendelian randomization, the study showed that higher tyrosine concentrations are associated with a reduction in lifespan of about one year in men. No such association was found in women. The other compound studied, phenylalanine, showed no independent effect on longevity after adjusting for tyrosine.
The authors suggest that the negative effect of tyrosine may be related to its impact on insulin resistance and the body's stress response. However, they emphasize that the effects of supplements were not directly tested, so the results are not direct evidence of harm from taking supplements. Further research is needed to develop clinical recommendations and confirm the mechanisms.