Discovering the important effects of green tea, especially for the elderly

As people age, energy levels in nerve cells decline, making the brain less able to clear itself of damaged proteins or damaged components, said study author Dr. Gregory Brewer, professor of biomedical engineering at the University of California Irvine.

New research led by Dr. Gregory Brewer, just published in the scientific journal GeroScience , has found a way to help neurons regain this important self-cleaning function.

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Accordingly, the authors have found a promising non-drug treatment that helps rejuvenate aging brain cells and eliminate the accumulation of harmful proteins associated with Alzheimer's disease.

The study, funded by the US National Institutes of Health , identified two natural compounds - nicotinamide (a form of vitamin B3) and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) (the main antioxidant in green tea) - that have the ability to restore the function of aging nerve cells, while also eliminating the amyloid beta protein, which is a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease, according to the University of California Irvine - UC Irvine News.

This means that green tea can restore cellular energy and clear the brain.

Specifically, when aging neurons were treated for 24 hours with two compounds in green tea - nicotinamide and EGCG - the energy levels in the cells - specifically guanosine triphosphate (GTP) - were restored to normal levels like in young cells. This is an important factor that helps cells clean up damaged components, including amyloid beta plaques that accumulate in the brain.

In addition, the two substances also activated important GTPase proteins that support intracellular transport and the process of removing "cellular garbage" more effectively. The study also noted a significant reduction in oxidative stress, a common cause of nerve cell damage and brain aging.

Dr Brewer stressed: This study shows that GTP is an important, previously little-known energy source that regulates vital brain cell functions. By supplementing the brain's energy system through compounds available in dietary supplements, we may open up a new avenue for treating age-related cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease.

However, Dr. Brewer also said that more research is needed to find a more effective way to deliver the compound into the body, because oral nicotinamide is not very effective because it is inactivated in the blood.

Researchers concluded that EGCG in green tea is not only a powerful antioxidant, but also helps trigger energy recovery and cell cleanup in the brain. When combined with nicotinamide, the brain recovery effect is significantly enhanced, according to UC Irvine News.