Less valine in food extends lifespan in male mice
Eating less of one specific amino acid can extend lifespan. At least in male mice. The finding raises new questions about how diet influences aging.
Valine is one of the branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs): protein building blocks that the body cannot produce itself and must obtain through food. They are found in meat, dairy, nuts, and legumes. BCAAs are popular as sports nutrition supplements. New research published in Nature Aging now shows a different side of the story.
The researchers restricted valine intake in mice throughout their entire lives. In male mice, this led to a longer lifespan. In both male and female mice, overall health improved. The effects were not equal between sexes: female mice did not live longer, but remained healthier.
How can less of one amino acid matter so much?
Valine plays a role in activating the mTOR signaling pathway, a cellular system that regulates growth and metabolism. Chronic overactivation of mTOR is associated with accelerated aging. By restricting valine, mTOR activity decreases, potentially giving cells space to carry out repair processes rather than continually growing. That is the hypothesis; the study shows an association, but evidence for the exact mechanism in humans is lacking.
The study connects to earlier work on calorie-restricting diets and amino acid restriction in rodents. It is the first study to test valine specifically on a lifelong basis while measuring both lifespan and health markers.
What does this mean for people?
Translation to humans is premature. Mice are not people, and lifelong valine restriction is practically difficult without risk of deficiency. At the same time, the study points future research toward how the protein composition of the diet influences aging. The sex difference in effect is a separate area of attention for future research.
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