While I don’t enjoy cleaning my house, knowing that all the dust and grime have been removed is a great feeling.
But what would be even better is if we could do the same thing for our brains.
After all, the accumulation of damaging amyloid proteins in our brains is what leads to memory problems and puts us on the path to severe cognitive decline.
Now, researchers are discovering how to scrub our brains clean with the power of two natural compounds that, when combined, reverse age-related cellular deficits and improve the brain cells’ ability to clear away damaging buildup.
Here’s what you need to know…
«SPONSORED»
Energy decline equals protein buildup
According to the researchers, the problems with aging in our brains are due to a lack of energy. That’s probably not a surprise to any of us who have found it more challenging to concentrate and focus with every passing year.
Lead author Gregory Brewer explains that, “As people age, their brains show a decline in neuronal energy levels, which limits the ability to remove unwanted proteins and damaged components.”
A contributor to this buildup is declining levels of guanosine triphosphate, an essential energy molecule for mitochondria — your brain’s energy hubs.
Think of it this way…
Your brain has a natural system that acts like a vacuum cleaner, sucking up and getting rid of amyloid proteins. But it has to have the energy available to power that vacuum.
The solution? Reinstate youthful levels of guanosine triphosphate — and that’s what Brewer and his team are working on…
The supplements that provide the solution
They discovered that a combination of naturally occurring compounds — nicotinamide (a form of vitamin B3) and epigallocatechin gallate (a green tea antioxidant) — restored brain energy levels in aged neurons to those typically seen in younger cells in just 24 hours.
And this revival triggered a cascade of benefits, including improved energy metabolism and efficient clearance of amyloid beta aggregates — hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease.
According to Brewer, “We found that restoring energy levels helps neurons regain this critical cleanup function.”
«SPONSORED»
To top it off, restoring brain energy levels also reduced oxidative stress, which leads to neurodegeneration in the brain.
Past research has shown that limiting oxidative stress can reduce the damage typically caused by beta-amyloid.
As Brewer points out, “By supplementing the brain’s energy systems with compounds that are already available as dietary supplements, we may have a new path toward treating age-related cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease.”
It seems then that the one-two supplement punch of nicotinamide and epigallocatechin gallate could be the start to revving up mitochondrial energy in the brain and cleaning out cognitive decline for better brain health — no matter what your age.
However, we’re not there yet…
He cautioned, “More work is going to be required to find the best way to administer this treatment, since a recent clinical trial involving UC Irvine researchers showed that oral nicotinamide was not very effective because of inactivation in the bloodstream.”
Until then, you can read here about how to start supporting your power-generating mitochondria today.
Sources:
UC Irvine researchers find combination of natural compounds for brain cleaning — EurekAlert!
Read full article here