Posted October 13, 2010
A genuine “elixir of life” that can hold death at bay has been discovered by scientists.
The cocktail of amino acids – building blocks of proteins – was found to increase the lifespan of mice by 12%.
It may also benefit humans, especially the elderly or sick, researchers believe.
In laboratory experiments, middle-aged male healthy mice were given drinking water laced with three specific amino acids.
The animals lived significantly longer than other mice fed a normal diet. Their lifespan range had a midpoint of 869 days compared with 774 days for untreated mice, a difference of 12%.
Longer survival was accompanied by biological changes that boosted the energy supply to cells and reduced oxidative damage caused by destructive molecules called free radicals.
The treated mice had more stamina and improved muscle co- ordination.
“This is the first demonstration that an amino acid mixture can increase survival in mice,” said study leader Dr Enzo Nisoli, from the University of Milan in Italy.
Last year scientists showed that the same amino acids – leucine, isoleucine and valine – could extend the lifespan of single-celled yeast.
The new findings, reported in the journal Cell Metabolism, raise the possibility of amino acid supplements benefiting humans.
The scientists pointed out that the mice studied were aged but otherwise healthy. They believe that taking the amino acids might be especially helpful for the elderly or ill, particularly people with heart failure, chronic lung disease, or other conditions characterised by flagging energy levels.
Dr Nisoli said a large patient trial was needed to provide evidence convincing enough for doctors. Leucine, isoleucine and valine, known as branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), account for a fraction of the 20 amino acids from which proteins are made, but appear to have special anti-ageing properties. BCAA nutritional supplements are readily available in health food stores and online.
