Aug 02, 2023 20:00:00

Possibility of stopping the progression of Alzheimer's disease by taking muscle-building supplements

The ingredient '

beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyric acid (HMB)' made from the essential amino acid ' leucine ' has effects such as promoting muscle protein synthesis and suppressing decomposition, and is sometimes taken as a muscle building supplement. . It has been reported that taking such HMB supplements may suppress the decline in cognitive function due to the progression of Alzheimer's disease.

Muscle-building supplement β-hydroxy β-methylbutyrate binds to PPARα to improve hippocampal functions in mice: Cell Reports
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112717

Bodybuilding Supplement May Help Stave off Alzheimer's

https://www.rush.edu/news/bodybuilding-supplement-may-help-stave-alzheimers

Bodybuilding Supplement Shown to Stave Off Dementia in Mice : ScienceAlert

https://www.sciencealert.com/bodybuilding-supplement-shown-to-stave-off-dementia-in-mice

The cause of Alzheimer's disease, in which memory and thinking skills gradually decline, has not been clarified, but in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease, a cluster called 'plaque' formed by gathering amyloid β protein and tau protein accumulates. It is clear that Therefore, it is now believed that plaques cause neuronal dysfunction in the brain, leading to Alzheimer's disease.

Various researchers have so far conducted research on the causes of Alzheimer's disease and its treatment, but no cure for Alzheimer's disease has been found so far. ``Understanding how Alzheimer's disease works is critical to developing effective drugs to protect the brain and halt the progression of Alzheimer's disease,'' said Kalipada Pahan, a neuroscientist at Rush University. says.

Therefore, Pahan et al.'s research team orally administered HMB to mice with plaques in the brain and symptoms like Alzheimer's disease. Then, it is reported that not only the number of proteins increased in the mouse body, but also the plaques in the brain decreased and the growth factors of neurons were strengthened to stop the decline in learning ability and memory ability.

According to the research team, the administered HMB stimulates a nuclear hormone receptor called ``

PPAR-α '' in the brain of the mouse and helps the metabolism of fatty acids. Fatty acids play a protective role in neurons and nerves in the brain. In other words, taking a muscle-building HMB supplement can halt the cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer's disease, while slowing the progression of Alzheimer's-related physical symptoms such as difficulty walking and stiffness. It is believed that it can be suppressed.

HMB is not a prescription from a professional doctor or a dangerous steroid, but an over-the-counter supplement available at general drugstores and sports specialty stores. Bodybuilders regularly consume HMB to improve athletic performance and promote growth in muscle size.

In addition, previous studies have shown that long-term use of HMB does not have side effects that adversely affect the body.

``This mouse experiment may be one of the safest and simplest approaches to halt the progression of Alzheimer's disease and protect the patient's memory,'' Pahan said, ``administering HMB. 'If we can reproduce the results in mice with Alzheimer's disease, it will pave the way for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.'