[Reading Science] Octopus Lifting Fallen Hwangso... Found the Reason

Columbia University Research Team
Confirms 'Taurine' Effects
Clear Health Improvement and Longevity Benefits in Animals
Application to Humans Remains Uncertain

In the past, farmers fed an octopus to oxen that lost their strength for farming work. It was also a 'regular' food for bulls going into bullfighting arenas. There is even a saying that it "makes a fallen ox stand up instantly." Taurine, an amino acid found abundantly in squid and octopus, became widely known for its 'fatigue recovery and tonic effects.'

Seasonal delicacy Milguk with knife-cut noodle added to spicy octopus soup with perilla seeds.

However, scientists have recently published research results showing that taurine actually helps improve animal health and extend lifespan. The exact mechanism is not yet clear, and it is uncertain whether this applies to humans. Taurine has already been widely consumed by humans as a main ingredient in fatigue recovery and tonic supplements.

A research team from Columbia University in the United States published a paper on this topic in the international journal Science on the 8th. Taurine is a type of amino acid naturally produced in the body, but its levels decrease with age. Animal experiments confirmed that consistently supplementing taurine prevented health deterioration caused by aging, allowing for a longer lifespan.

Regarding this, the international journal Nature reported that the research team focused on taurine amino acid while studying how the concentrations of chemical substances related to aging?such as metabolic products, hormones, and trace nutrients?in the blood affect aging. Taurine has long been known to provide various benefits to the immune system, bone health, and brain nervous system in both animals and humans.

First, they measured taurine levels in the blood of mice, monkeys, and humans. For example, a 15-year-old monkey had 85% less taurine in its blood than a 5-year-old monkey. Notably, a group of mice given taurine daily showed a lifespan increase of 12% in females and 10% in males compared to control groups. The taurine-fed mice exhibited improved muscular endurance and strength, better health overall, and females showed a significant reduction in behaviors related to depression and anxiety, along with enhanced immune systems.

The research team also confirmed similar effects in Caenorhabditis elegans (a nematode worm) and middle-aged rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta). The taurine-fed nematodes lived healthier and longer than the control group, and the monkeys showed positive effects such as weight loss, improved bone density, and reduced signs of liver damage.

The scientific community has shown both interest and pointed out limitations regarding these results. While the study provides an opportunity to deepen research on taurine's efficacy and the aging process in humans, there are limitations in directly applying the findings to humans. Herminia Pasantes, a professor at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, stated, "This shows that taurine protects cells and promotes survival. It is a study that helps explore the operating principles of living organisms. However, aging is a complex phenomenon, and taurine deficiency does not induce or accelerate aging." The research team administered 15?30 mg of taurine daily to mice, which corresponds to a human weighing 80 kg taking 3?6 g. Considering that energy drinks typically contain about 1 g of taurine, this is an enormous amount.

Steven Kaplowitz, a professor at Eastern New Mexico University, also commented, "This study suggests that taurine is related to aging, but it does not clarify the direct causes and effects. There are likely one or more metabolic products related to or derived from taurine involved in the molecular mechanisms of aging."

The research team acknowledges that much work remains. Vijay Yadav, a professor at Columbia University, said, "We do not recommend taking taurine supplements available without a prescription to maintain health or slow aging. We are conducting research to identify how taurine acts in cells and other organs."