Taurine — a nutrient present in meat, fish, and taken as a supplement — extends life and improves health in a variety of animal species, scientists say.

Taurine levels fall with aging in animals, including humans, reports BBC.

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Experiments on middle-aged animals revealed that increasing taurine levels increased life span by more than 10% and enhanced physical and mental health.

According to the researchers, taurine may be a "elixir of life," although supplementing amounts in humans has not been explored.

As a result, scientists at Columbia University in New York advised against purchasing taurine tablets or energy drinks containing taurine in an attempt to live longer.

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The animal study, on the other hand, is the most recent advance in the search for strategies to slow the aging process, said the report.

This study began by analyzing chemicals in the blood of various species.

"One of the most dramatically degraded [molecules] was taurine," researcher Dr Vijay Yadav said. The levels were 80% lower in the elderly than in the young.

Taurine is almost non-existent in plants. So the vitamin originates from either animal protein in the food or is produced by the body.

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And the study team has been attempting to figure out its involvement in aging for the past 11 years, added the report.

'Improved memory'

A daily dosage was given to 14-month-old mice, which is roughly the age of 45 in people.

Male mice lived 10% longer, females 12% longer, and both looked to be in better condition, according to the findings published in the journal Science.

"Whatever we checked, taurine-supplemented mice were healthier and appeared younger," Yadav said.

"They were leaner, had an increased energy expenditure, increased bone density, improved memory and a younger-looking immune system."

The researchers examined 12,000 participants and discovered that those with higher levels of taurine in their blood had better overall health.

They claim that if the data from mice were applied to humans, it would be the equivalent of an extra seven to eight years of life.

However, genuine clinical studies — in which some patients are given the nutrient and others a placebo pill — will be required to see whether any effect can be found.

Differences in human biology may prevent taurine from functioning, or there may be an evolutionary rationale for levels to decline with age. Current data demonstrates that taurine is safe, despite the fact that energy drinks have been on the market for decades.