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Amino Acid Tyrosine Linked to Shorter Lifespan in Men
27 Feb
Summary
- Higher tyrosine levels may be linked to a shorter lifespan in men.
- Study examined over 270,000 people in the U.K. Biobank.
- Men with higher tyrosine might live nearly one year less on average.
New research indicates that higher concentrations of the amino acid tyrosine may be associated with a reduced lifespan in men. The study, which analyzed health and genetic data from more than 270,000 participants in the U.K. Biobank, was recently published in the journal Aging-US.
While both phenylalanine and tyrosine were initially examined, only tyrosine demonstrated a consistent and significant link to mortality risk, exclusively in males. Genetic modeling suggested that men with higher tyrosine levels could have an average lifespan that is almost a year shorter.
Researchers are exploring potential reasons for this association, including insulin resistance and the role of tyrosine in stress-related brain chemicals, which might impact men and women differently. It was also observed that men typically have higher tyrosine levels than women, potentially contributing to general lifespan disparities.
Although the study did not directly investigate tyrosine supplements, the findings raise questions about the long-term effects of very high tyrosine levels. Experts emphasize that further research is necessary before any dietary recommendations can be made.
