Aging does not have to mean losing brain power. UC Irvine scientists have found that a mix of nicotinamide (vitamin B3) and EGCG (a green tea antioxidant) can help restore the brain’s natural cleaning process.
In lab-grown neurons, the combo worked fast. Within 24 hours, it restored guanosine triphosphate (GTP)—a vital energy molecule—to youthful levels. This energy jump restarted autophagy and endocytosis, the brain’s built-in “garbage disposal” systems. As a result, neurons cleared amyloid-beta protein clumps, reduced oxidative stress, and reactivated GTPase proteins like Rab7 and Arl8b. Neuron survival rates also improved.
Why this matters:
- GTP loss with age blocks protein cleanup in neurons, which can speed Alzheimer’s progression.
- The vitamin B3–EGCG mix shows that keeping brain cells fueled is as important as removing plaques.
- Both compounds are available as supplements, raising hope for low-risk, non-drug brain health support.
A note of caution:
These results come from lab cell studies, not tests in live animals or humans. Earlier trials found that oral nicotinamide loses strength in the bloodstream. Better delivery methods are needed before this becomes a real-world treatment.
Lead author Gregory Brewer says, “By boosting the brain’s energy with safe, known compounds, we may open a new path to treating age-related cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s.”
The takeaway:
The vitamin B3 + green tea combo may help aging neurons recover their energy and cleaning ability. With more research, this approach could become a simple way to protect brain health.
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Article derived from: University of California. (2025, August 8). Researchers find combination of natural compounds for brain cleaning. University of California News. https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/researchers-find-combination-natural-compounds-brain-cleaning
