Tyrosine linked to shorter lifespan in men, study of 270,000 finds

September 7, 2026 at 02:18 AM2 min

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Higher blood levels of the amino acid tyrosine are associated with shorter life expectancy in men, according to a study of more than 270,000 UK Biobank participants. No significant effect was detected in women. The research, published in Aging-US, used both observational and genetic analyses.

Key Facts

The study analyzed data from more than 270,000 participants in the UK Biobank.
Higher tyrosine levels were associated with shorter life expectancy in men, while no significant effect was detected in women.
The research was published in Aging-US under the title "The role of phenylalanine and tyrosine in longevity: a cohort and Mendelian randomization study."
Researchers from the University of Hong Kong and the University of Georgia led the study.

Study Design

Researchers led by Jie V. Zhao, Yitang Sun, Junmeng Zhang, and Kaixiong Ye from the University of Hong Kong and the University of Georgia examined whether phenylalanine and tyrosine are connected to lifespan. The team analyzed information from more than 270,000 participants in the UK Biobank, a large research database containing health and genetic data from people in the United Kingdom. They used two complementary approaches: observational associations between blood concentrations of the amino acids and death-related outcomes, and Mendelian randomization to test for potential causal relationships. Mendelian randomization uses naturally occurring genetic differences to test whether a biological factor may contribute to an outcome, sometimes providing stronger clues about cause and effect than observational studies alone.

Key Findings

At first, higher levels of both phenylalanine and tyrosine appeared to be associated with an increased risk of death. When the researchers examined the relationships more closely, tyrosine was the one that consistently stood out. Higher tyrosine levels were associated with shorter life expectancy in men, while no significant effect was detected in women. The findings could eventually help scientists better understand why aging and longevity differ between the sexes, although much more research is needed before the results can be translated into health recommendations.

Biological Context

Phenylalanine and tyrosine are amino acids found in protein-containing foods and available in dietary supplements. Tyrosine is used by the body to produce neurotransmitters such as dopamine, which helps regulate mood, motivation, and thinking. Despite these important roles, scientists still do not fully understand how long-term differences in phenylalanine and tyrosine levels might influence aging.