The combination of these 2 supplements can slow down Alzheimer's disease, researchers find
In cell models, they helped eliminate harmful plates that lead to Alzheimer's disease.
Given this, in the world, One in 10 people More than 65 years of age, has Alzheimer's disease (the most common cause of dementia), it is not at all surprising that scientists are looking for all possible means of treatment and prevention. An area where they are looking for is the supplements.
For example, a recent study revealed that Take vitamin B-12 As we get older, could protect against dementia. And previous research has shown that magnesium Can reduce the risk of dementia and delay brain aging. Now experts say that taking two supplements can slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease.
In relation: Doctors say that this super food can lower your dementia and the risk of Alzheimer's .
Researchers have examined how GTP levels influence Alzheimer's disease.
A new study, published in the journal Geroscience , looked at how the levels of triphosphate guanosine (GTP) influence Alzheimer's disease.
GTP is an energy molecule that helps build RNA, allowing cells to develop and communicate with each other. Most importantly, with regard to the function of the brain, the GTP "plays a central role in the switching of essential neural processes, including the transport and clearance of damaged proteins", as article in Psypost explain.
As a person is aging, their GTP and ATP levels (adenosine triphosphate) decrease. Likewise, ATP is involved in "neurotransmission, the synthesis of DNA and RNA, intracellular signaling and muscle contraction," explains Health very well .
However, most previous Alzheimer's research has focused on ATP, which has been nicknamed the main "energy currency" of cells.
But the drop in GTP levels in the brain is known to slow down autophagy, a process in which neurons eliminate waste, including toxic amyloid plates that contribute to Alzheimer's disease.
Consequently, researchers from the University of California in Irvine analyzed the brain cells that have been raised to develop Alzheimer's disease.
In relation: Doctors warn that you don't get enough of this vitamin to protect against strokes and dementia .
They found that vitamin B3 and a green tea antioxidant can restore GTP levels.
"We saw in mouse neurons that GTP levels were lower in old age. Gregory J. Brewer , professor of biomedical engineering at UC Irvine, in a declaration to Psychost.
"At the same time, as our body ages, we accumulate DNA, lipids and damaged proteins of oxidation (like iron rust). This worsens in Alzheimer's disease," he continued. "So I was wondering if an extremely safe and known antioxidant compound found in green tea called EGCG would help with the oxidation problem."
To test the theory, Brewer and his team treated mouse neurons with vitamin B3 and EGCG. They found that:
- GTP levels have been restored
- Neurons have stayed alive longer
- Neurons had reduced oxidative stress damage
- Neurons were better able to eliminate harmful plates that lead to Alzheimer's disease
"I was surprised to see how the combination of Nicotinamide and EGCG worked to erase significant protein in Alzheimer's called amyloid and reduce oxidized proteins," Brewer told Psypost.
In relation: Scientists say that this “cheap” treatment could reverse Alzheimer's disease .
How do these supplements work?
Nicotinamide , a form of vitamin B3, "increases Nad +levels," says Psychost.
If it seems familiar to you, it is probably because Nad + has made the headlines in the past year as a miracle Anti-aging supplement .
A 2018 study Published in the journal Translational medicine of aging explained that "nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD +) is an important cofactor in all living cells which is involved in fundamental biological processes, namely metabolism, cell signaling, expression of genes, repair of DNA, among others."
"The eraction NAD + has been associated with the characteristics of aging and can underline a wide range of age-related diseases, such as metabolic disorders, cancer and neurodegenerative diseases," he continued.
EGCG is the main catechin found in green tea. Many research has linked Green tea consumption To reduce the risk of dementia, but the EGCG, in particular, "active NRF2, a transcription factor which regulates antioxidant defenses and helps maintain the redox balance in cells", explains the psypost.
"Together, these compounds aim to support both cellular energy production and oxidative stress control," adds Psypost.
In relation: Doctors say that it is diet n ° 1 to prevent Alzheimer's disease and dementia .
Should you take these supplements?
As is the case before starting a new supplement or a new medication, you need to talk to your doctor if you plan to take vitamin B3 or EGCG.
It is also very important to note that the recent study was carried out in vitro, which means that it was not carried out within a mouse, not to mention a human.
"These studies were carried out in mouse neurons in a dish," warned Brewer. "They must be confirmed in human neurons and in randomized and placebo -controlled blind trials. In addition, these drugs have been given orally in human trials from Alzheimer's and did not succeed because they were so quickly inactivated in the blood."
Therefore, he and his team plan to study these supplements more, including how to bring them more directly to the brain.
