Most fitness enthusiasts around the world believe that food alone isn't sufficient for a healthy body and mind. This belief has been fueling the pharma industry and the market for nutrient-based supplements and protein powders. But are these supplements actually healthy? A recent study suggests that men may be reducing their lifespan by increased intake of these supplements.
Filling the Nutrient Void
There is a common narrative that extra amino acids from supplements provide a healthy boost of energy and strength, and may even enhance brain health. However, a study published in ScienceDaily and the journal Aging-US found a surprising link between these supplements and longevity. Scientists examined whether two amino acids, phenylalanine and tyrosine, could influence how long people live. Their findings indicate that higher levels of tyrosine in the blood are associated with a shorter life expectancy in men, raising new questions about the role of this nutrient in aging.
Understanding Phenylalanine and Tyrosine
The study was conducted by Jie V. Zhao, Yitang Sun, Junmeng Zhang, and Kaixiong Ye from the University of Hong Kong and the University of Georgia. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, which the body uses to build tissue and create enzymes. Phenylalanine and tyrosine help regulate metabolism and brain activity. They are found in meat, fish, eggs, and dairy, as well as in supplements taken for energy, focus, and brain performance. Tyrosine is particularly important for producing brain chemicals like dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine, which control mood, attention, memory, and stress responses.
Study Findings
To determine if these amino acids affect lifespan, the research team analyzed health and genetic data from over 270,000 people in the UK Biobank. They looked at direct relationships between amino acid levels and death rates, using a genetic method called Mendelian randomization to identify cause-and-effect relationships. Initially, both phenylalanine and tyrosine seemed linked to higher death risk, but after adjusting for other variables, only tyrosine consistently showed a negative relationship with lifespan. High tyrosine levels were tied to reduced life expectancy in men, with genetic data suggesting elevated tyrosine could shorten a man's life by nearly a year. Women did not show this pattern, and phenylalanine had no impact on lifespan for either gender once tyrosine was accounted for.
Why Does Tyrosine Affect Aging?
Scientists are not sure why this happens. One idea involves insulin resistance, where cells do not respond well to insulin—a problem that worsens with age and is linked to type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Tyrosine might also affect hormone production and stress systems. Because men and women have different hormone systems, this might explain why only men in the study had a shorter lifespan.
What This Means
Tyrosine is a supplement taken for alertness, focus, and stress management. These findings suggest it might have long-term health effects. However, the study did not look at tyrosine supplements directly and did not prove that taking them will shorten life. It only looked at blood tyrosine levels. The study suggests caution about having too much tyrosine in the body. Researchers think that dietary changes, like eating protein, might help lower tyrosine levels, but more studies are needed.
Moving Forward
This study provides some of the first evidence linking tyrosine to lifespan, but leaves many questions. Scientists need to replicate the results in different populations and understand the biological mechanisms. They want to know if diet or lifestyle changes can manage tyrosine levels for healthier aging. For now, the study shows that a nutrient beneficial for brain health may also influence how long we live. The research on tyrosine and its effects is ongoing, and we can expect to learn more about its role in our bodies.
