A large international study involving over 270,000 participants shows that elevated levels of tyrosine in the blood may be associated with a shorter lifespan in men. Tyrosine is an amino acid that occurs naturally in protein-rich foods such as meat, fish and dairy. In addition, it is often taken as a supplement to improve concentration and mental performance.
The researchers combined observations from the study with genetic analyses and discovered that men with higher tyrosine levels live almost a year less on average. They found no comparable relationship in women. This difference between men and women makes the findings worthy of extra attention, as many people use tyrosine without knowing this effect.
Tyrosine plays a role in the production of important substances such as dopamine and thyroid hormones. The supplement is mainly used to temporarily enhance memory and focus. Yet, this research shows that chronically elevated levels of tyrosine may have unwanted consequences, although more research is needed to understand precisely why.
For those who are consciously working on healthy ageing, this discovery is certainly relevant. It emphasises the importance of caution when using food supplements, especially if the long-term effects are not yet fully known. A healthy diet with natural sources therefore remains the safest choice.
Source: Original article
