Cutting Back on One Amino Acid Increases Lifespan in Middle-Aged Mice Up to 33%

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Last edited Wed Jan 8, 2025, 09:51 AM - Edit history (2)

Health
07 December 2024
By Jess Cockerill

Research in mice shows limited intakes of one particular essential amino acid can slow the impacts of aging and even lengthen their lifespan.

Scientists are now wondering if these findings could help people improve their longevity and quality of life.

Isoleucine is one of three branched-chain amino acids we use to build proteins in our bodies. It is essential for our survival, but since our cells can't produce it from scratch, we have to get it from sources like eggs, dairy, soy protein, and meats.

But there can always be too much of a good thing. Earlier research using data from a 2016-2017 survey of Wisconsin residents had found dietary isoleucine levels were linked with metabolic health and that people with higher BMIs were generally consuming much greater quantities of the amino acid.
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more: https://www.sciencealert.com/cutting-back-on-one-amino-acid-increases-lifespan-in-middle-aged-mice-up-to-33


An earlier version of this article was published in November 2023.


ETA: Isoleucine is not just a building block for proteins; it plays some surprisingly significant roles in regulation of the pancreas, and consequently control of blood sugar levels. There are several diseases associated with improper metabolism of isoleucine, and some similar amino acids as well. Check out the wikipedia entry for isoleucine, especially these sections:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isoleucine#Metabolic_diseases
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isoleucine#Insulin_resistance
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isoleucine#Functions_and_requirement

A further search for foods either rich or poor in isoleucine shows the situation is complicated. It would be very hard, apparently, to avoid isoleucine without extensive dietary planning.