Alzheimer’s: Vitamin B supplementation may slow the aging of neurons. Because of changes in our brain cells, aging can lead to cognitive decline; However, it is unclear how much of this is inherent or the result of conditions like Alzheimer’s.
A group of researchers investigated the effects of giving adults a form of vitamin B3 as a supplement in order to enhance brain energy metabolism.
The supplement nicotinamide riboside was found to be transformed into a molecule in neurons that is involved in energy metabolism, according to the researchers.
Following supplementation, they also observed a modest but significant decrease in the levels of amyloid beta protein in neurons.
Age is more than just a number; aging mechanisms have cellular effects on us. Numerous recent studies have focused on the reason why some people age at a faster rate than others.
Dementia is one condition for which age is a risk factor. According to Trusted Source, dementia affects about one third of people over 85.
According to the World Health Organization’s Trusted Source, there are currently more than 55 million people worldwide living with dementia, with nearly 10 million new cases occurring annually. As humans live longer, the number of people with dementia in the population is also rising.
Dementia’s mechanisms and risk factors are poorly understood, despite the high prevalence.
Most people think that the presence of clusters of particular forms of a protein called beta-amyloid between brain neurons, or nerve cells, is what causes Alzheimer’s disease. It is thought that this affects their ability to communicate, resulting in cognitive decline in those with the condition.
But it’s important to note that this mechanism’s suitability as a potential treatment target and how much of an impact it has on Alzheimer’s disease development are still hotly debated.
One possibility is that the brain’s normal energy metabolism and production are disrupted, resulting in the cognitive decline seen in Alzheimer’s patients.
Vitamin B’s potential to mitigate this disruption is the subject of a recent study that appeared in the journal Aging Cellon.
Alzheimer’s disease and the brain’s energy metabolism The brain is very dependent on energy and uses up to 20% of the oxygen and calories used by the body, even though it only makes up 2% of its mass. It is known that Alzheimer’s patients’ brains have problems with this energy metabolism.
When nerve cells in the brain develop insulin resistance, this can be disrupted in one way. Insulin resistance means that the cells don’t get the energy they need from glucose. The functions of signaling and the immune response are all negatively impacted when this occurs in the brain’s energy metabolism.
This can happen to people who have type 2 diabetes, which is characterized by insulin resistance and has a connection to Alzheimer’s disease, though the reason for this connection is a mystery.
“The term “neurodegeneration” refers to the gradual loss of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that causes memory, cognition, movement, and other neurological functions to be affected. It very well may be brought about by hereditary or [underlying ailments including] maturing, diabetes, stroke, Parkinson’s infection, Alzheimer’s sickness, or awful mind injury.”
“It is known that various forms of neurodegeneration are linked to biochemical pathways, and research into these pathways is ongoing. For instance, studies have pointed to links between the onset of neurological diseases and imbalances in energy metabolism, oxidative stress, inflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction.
