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The Independent
12 hours ago
- Health
- The Independent
Natural compound found in popular hot drink could protect brain against Alzheimer's, study finds
Scientists have identified two natural compounds that could help reverse ageing in brain cells and remove harmful protein buildup, raising hopes for a non-drug approach to treat Alzheimer's disease. The research, published in the journal GeroScience, identifies two natural compounds, nicotinamide – a form of vitamin B3 – and an antioxidant found in green tea called epigallocatechin gallate, which help restore a key molecule that fuels energy production in brain cells. Researchers found that nerve cells treated with these compounds not only experienced reversal of age -related decline but also an enhanced ability to clear away amyloid protein clusters, a hallmark feature of Alzheimer 's. 'As people age, their brains show a decline in neuronal energy levels, which limits the ability to remove unwanted proteins and damaged components,' said Gregory Brewer, lead author of the study. 'We found that restoring energy levels helps neurons regain this critical cleanup function,' Dr Brewer said. Researchers used a fluorescent molecule to track live guanosine triphosphate levels in neurons from aged mice showing signs of Alzheimer 's. Scientists found that the levels of energy-rich molecules GTP declined with age – particularly in the cells' mitochondria – leading to impaired elimination of cells with damaged components in a process called autophagy. While it is known that autophagy, the cell's natural clean-up process, plays a key role in maintaining the health of tissues and organs, what part of ageing causes impairment in this process remains elusive. When aged nerve cells were treated for just 24 hours with the study molecules nicotinamide and epigallocatechin gallate, the GTP levels were restored to levels typically seen in younger cells. 'Our results reveal age and AD-related neuronal GTP energy deficits that impair autophagy,' scientists wrote. The molecules also improved energy metabolism within these cells, as well as efficient clearance of amyloid beta clusters. '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,' Dr Brewer said. 'This study highlights GTP as a previously under-appreciated energy source driving vital brain functions,' he added. Researchers cautioned that more studies are required to find the best way to administer the compounds as treatment. A recent study also showed that nicotinamide was not very effective when taken orally due to its inactivation in the bloodstream. However, the findings point to promising strategies to rescue neurons in the brain's hippocampus from energy deficits related to ageing and Alzheimer's disease, researchers say.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
What people who live to 100 years old have in common, according to science
Living to see 100 is a major feat that has a common thread. Recent studies of centenarians – people who are in their 100s – have found that they suffer from fewer diseases overall, develop them more slowly and are less likely to experience fatal conditions compared to people who live shorter lives. One 2024 study from Sweden, published in the journal GeroScience, considered historical data from people over 60 years old born between 1912 and 1922. Study Reveals Why 'Super Agers' Maintain 'Outstanding Memory' Into Their 80S Researchers followed these individuals from 1972 to 2022, considering the age of their death and also medical complications like stroke, myocardial infarction, hip fracture and various cancers. Centenarians were found to have a lower age-specific lifetime risk for all conditions except hip fractures, which suggests that 100-year-olds are able to delay and avoid many major age-related diseases rather than surviving them. Read On The Fox News App The findings challenge the idea that a longer life span inevitably leads to higher disease rates, the researchers stated. Another study in August 2025, conducted by the same researchers and published in The Lancet, looked into how older individuals accumulate and manage health conditions over a lifespan, instead of avoiding them. Aging Hits A Dramatic Turning Point At One Specific Number, Scientists Discover The researchers tracked the health of participants born between 1920 and 1922, comparing the disease trajectories of centenarians to those who did not live as long. Those 100 and older were found to have fewer diagnosed conditions and also accumulated diseases at a slower rate. The researchers found that cardiovascular diseases were the most common diagnoses across all ages, but they contributed less to the overall disease burden among those who made it to 100. Malignancies, like cancer cells that typically spread, were more largely present in centenarians, while neuropsychiatric conditions, such as anxiety disorders and dementia, were less common. Your Heart May Be Older Than You Think — And The Number Could Predict Disease Risk People in their 100s were also found to have fewer diseases occurring at the same time and were more likely to have conditions confined to a single disease group. "Future research should aim to identify genetic, epigenetic and environmental factors underlying these patterns to inform early-life preventive strategies that promote longevity and resilience," the researchers noted. Dr. Macie P. Smith, a licensed social worker and gerontologist based in South Carolina, said it makes "complete sense" that people who avoid serious illnesses like stroke and heart disease live beyond 100 years old. People who have reached 100 are considered "traditionalists," who have typically avoided exposure to harmful elements such as radiation, additives, preservatives and artificial coloring in foods, Smith told Fox News Digital. Click Here To Sign Up For Our Health Newsletter "They also were not exposed to an abundance of modern medicine," she said. "They relied more on natural remedies and organic foods." Modern-day technology and global connections, which were not available to centenarians, could also contribute to stress and other mental health factors, according to Smith. "They had the ability to mind their own business while reducing their stress levels," she said. "That alone brings about longer life … When you mind other people's business, you take on other people's problems, thereby increasing stress levels. This is called vicarious trauma." Smith also believes the older generation is more "free-spirited." "They didn't take on the restrictions that we take on today to look a certain way or be a certain way in public," she said. "There was a lot less scrutiny back in those days." "Yes, they had their struggles that we don't see today; however, they just showed up in a different way, and they were handled in a different way." Choosing your path when you're younger will determine how you live when you're older, Smith noted, whether it's independently or dependently, or living on your own or in a community. Making healthy lifestyle decisions early on can also significantly reduce the risk of complications in the future, which can impact longevity. For more Health articles, visit Smith recommends eating a low-fat, low-salt, brain-healthy diet and eliminating processed foods, while managing stress, engaging with family and friends, staying active and getting adequate sleep. "This will prolong life and improve the quality of life," she article source: What people who live to 100 years old have in common, according to science Solve the daily Crossword
Time of India
6 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
People who live past 100 have one thing in common, finds study
What makes some people live to see a full century while others don't? According to a Swedish published in GeroScience by researchers from the Karolinska Institute, a surprisingly simple clue may lie within the body, distinguishing future centenarians from the rest of the population. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Researchers tracked tens of thousands of older adults over several decades, observing patterns that hinted at exceptional longevity long before participants reached 100. While genetics, diet, exercise, and lifestyle factors continue to influence lifespan, the study found a consistent pattern in certain blood markers that strongly correlated with living past a century. These findings offer an intriguing glimpse into the biological secrets behind extraordinary longevity and could help guide future research on healthy aging. Key biomarkers linked to living past 100 The study analysed twelve blood markers connected to metabolism, inflammation, kidney and liver function, malnutrition, and anaemia. Researchers found that people who eventually reached 100 tended to have healthier, more balanced readings even in their 60s, suggesting that these biomarkers can provide early signals of exceptional longevity. Lower levels observed in future centenarians included: Glucose (blood sugar) Creatinine (kidney function) Uric acid (inflammation) AST/ALT (liver enzymes) Alkaline phosphatase (liver and bone health) Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH, tissue damage) Total iron-binding capacity (TIBC, nutrition status) Higher levels observed included: Iron Total cholesterol Researchers noted that the readings of future centenarians were rarely extreme. Instead, most had moderate, stable values, highlighting that a balance in these biomarkers, rather than unusually high or low figures, may be key to longevity. Interestingly, these patterns were remarkably consistent across individuals, suggesting a common physiological profile among those who achieve exceptional age. The findings also suggest that maintaining these markers within healthy ranges may reflect both genetic advantages and lifestyle factors, such as a balanced diet, regular physical activity, and effective management of chronic health conditions. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now This early physiological advantage, evident even decades before reaching 100, underscores the importance of midlife health as a foundation for long-term survival. How these markers can predict longevity All but two of the twelve biomarkers were found to have predictive power for reaching 100. Low iron or very low cholesterol appeared to reduce the likelihood, while stable kidney and liver markers, low uric acid, and low-normal blood glucose were strong indicators of longevity. Subtle differences in these measurements were often evident decades before the 100th birthday, highlighting the value of routine blood tests as a tool for assessing long-term survival prospects. Health and lifestyle in the journey to 100 Many future centenarians already displayed fewer chronic conditions and healthier overall profiles by their 60s. This suggests that both genetics and lifestyle factors—such as diet, exercise, and preventive healthcare—play important roles. Women represented roughly 85% of those who reached 100, reflecting broader global longevity trends. The combination of healthy blood markers and fewer health issues in midlife appears to set the stage for exceptional longevity. What it means for the rest of us The study's findings hint at a practical takeaway: monitoring and managing key physiological markers can offer insight into long-term survival prospects. Paying attention to glucose, cholesterol, iron, inflammation, and kidney and liver health—even later in life—may improve the odds of reaching a century. While genetics still matters, lifestyle and regular health monitoring appear to provide a real opportunity to influence how long and how well we live.
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Eating this snack daily could lower your dementia risk by 12%, finds study of over 50,000 people
According to research published in the journal GeroScience, the dementia risk was lowered by 12% in more than 50,000 adults who consumed unsalted nuts compared with those who didn't. The researchers analysed data from the UK Biobank – a large-scale health database – selecting 50,386 participants aged between 40 to 70, who provided information about their nut consumption, lifestyle habits, health status and dementia diagnoses. Importantly, to ensure accuracy, anyone diagnosed with dementia at the start of the study was excluded. Participants were divided into two main groups – those who ate nuts daily and those who didn't consume nuts at all. The researchers broke the nut consumption down into three further groups, based on intake levels: no nuts, up to one handful per day, and more than one handful. The study then tracked dementia diagnoses over time to identify any links. By the end of the study, 1,422 participants (2.8%) were diagnosed with dementia. Researchers found that individuals who regularly consumed nuts had a 12% lower risk of developing dementia compared to those who didn't. The effect was particularly strong in those who ate up to one handful of unsalted nuts daily, such as almonds or cashews. But, interestingly, eating more than one handful per day didn't provide any additional benefits. The study also found that the protective effect was particularly strong in some subgroups – including; women, older adults, nonsmokers, and those with healthy lifestyle habits (moderate alcohol intake, regular exercise, and good sleep patterns). Dementia is a growing global health challenge – a 2024 report, commissioned by Alzheimer's Society, shows that around a million people in the UK have a form of dementia. While current stats suggest that there are 55 million people living with dementia around the globe – a number estimated to rise to 139 million by 2050. This is why prevention, and in particular – diet, is so key. This study adds to the growing body of evidence that suggests diet tweaks, including adding nuts to our daily routine, may help reduce the risk of cognitive decline. While this particular research relied on self-reported dietary data (so there is obviously a chance of inaccuracies) and more research is needed, these findings offer an easy step toward promoting long-term brain health. Just eat a handful of nuts. 7 top-rated iron supplements to boost your energy Most probiotics do not work, says Dr Megan Rossi – but this supplement range is a gut health game-changer M&S is about to drop the dreamiest pistachio-flavoured treat Cut through the noise and get practical, expert advice, home workouts, easy nutrition and more direct to your inbox. Sign up to the You Might Also Like 13 Buys To Help You Feel Great From £5 16 Speedo Swimsuits that Won't Flash Your Bum When Getting Swim-fit 11 Best Gym Trainers for Different Types of Workouts
