A study of over 270,000 participants from the UK Biobank, conducted by researchers from the University of Hong Kong and the University of Georgia, indicates that higher blood levels of the amino acid tyrosine may be associated with a shorter lifespan in men, while no significant effect was observed in women. The researchers employed both observational analysis of blood concentrations and Mendelian randomization to explore potential causal relationships, finding that elevated tyrosine levels could reduce male lifespan by nearly one year. Phenylalanine, another amino acid examined, showed no association with lifespan after controlling for tyrosine levels.
The study’s findings suggest a sex-specific relationship between tyrosine and longevity, with men generally exhibiting higher tyrosine levels than women. Potential mechanisms underlying this association include insulin resistance and tyrosine’s role in synthesizing neurotransmitters involved in the stress response, though these remain speculative and require further investigation. Importantly, the research did not directly assess the effects of tyrosine supplements; instead, it examined naturally occurring tyrosine levels. The authors caution that while the results raise questions about the long-term consequences of chronically high tyrosine, more research is needed to confirm the findings, elucidate the biological mechanisms, and determine whether dietary or lifestyle interventions targeting tyrosine levels could promote healthier aging. Source