A study of over 270,000 people has found a correlation between higher blood levels of the amino acid tyrosine and reduced life expectancy in men. Researchers at the University of Hong Kong and the University of Georgia led the investigation, which utilized both observational data and genetic analysis. While tyrosine plays a role in brain function and neurotransmitter production, the study revealed a significant difference between the sexes, with no such association found in women.
The research team, led by Jie V. Zhao, Yitang Sun, Junmeng Zhang, and Kaixiong Ye, analyzed data from the UK Biobank. They investigated the connection between phenylalanine and tyrosine – both amino acids found in protein-rich foods and supplements – and lifespan. Their findings indicate that elevated tyrosine levels could potentially reduce male life expectancy by nearly a year.
Amino acids are essential building blocks for proteins. Phenylalanine and tyrosine are involved in various biological processes, including the creation of neurotransmitters like dopamine, which regulates mood, motivation, and thinking. Scientists are still working to fully understand how long-term differences in these amino acid levels might affect aging.
The study employed two approaches: examining associations between blood concentrations of the amino acids and mortality outcomes, and using genetic methods to explore potential causal relationships. The findings, published in *Aging-US* under the title “The role of phenylalanine and tyrosine in longevity: a cohort and Mendelian randomization study,” suggest a need for further research to understand the differing effects of tyrosine on men and women.
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