A team of researchers from the University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine, USA) has discovered that a natural compound found in green tea, combined with a common vitamin, inhibits the accumulation of waste in the brain associated with various diseases, particularly .
Let’s unveil the mystery: the study focused on the antioxidant epigallocatechin gallate, present in green tea, and nicotinamide—a form of vitamin B3 that our bodies naturally produce from foods like grains, fish, nuts, legumes, and eggs.
This finding is particularly intriguing because these beneficial compounds can be obtained through , making them quite accessible.
What Did the Scientists Discover?
Experiments on neurons from lab-grown mice showed that epigallocatechin gallate and nicotinamide stimulate the production of the energy molecule guanosine triphosphate (GTP), found in brain cells. GTP provides the necessary energy for removing dead cells.
Researchers observed that neurons enhanced by GTP help the brain eliminate harmful accumulations of beta-amyloid proteins, which have long been linked to the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, as noted by Science Alert.
It’s important to note that GTP has previously been associated with neurodegeneration. The new study demonstrated that its levels can decrease over time, especially in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Scientists suggested that the combination of epigallocatechin gallate and nicotinamide could restore GTP levels to those typical of younger cells.
“This research has shown that GTP was previously underestimated as an energy source that supports vital brain functions,” said biomedical engineer Gregory Brewer, a co-author of the study.
Interestingly, a previous study this year linked the consumption of to a reduction in white matter lesions in the brain, which consequently lowers the risk of developing dementia, although a direct cause-and-effect relationship has not been established.
“As people age, the level of neuronal energy in the brain decreases, limiting its ability to remove unwanted proteins and damaged components. We found that restoring energy levels helps neurons return to this crucial cleaning function,” Brewer stated.
The results of the study were published in the journal GeroScience.
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