Supplement Shows Promise in Reducing Alzheimer’s Risk by Targeting Brain Plaques

Recent research has identified arginine, a naturally occurring amino acid, as a potential supplement to lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease by reducing harmful plaque in the brain. Alzheimer’s, the most common form of dementia, disrupts memory, language, and behavior and is often linked to abnormal protein accumulations around brain cells.

A key protein involved is amyloid beta (Aβ), which forms plaques detrimental to brain function. According to a study published in Neurochemistry International, oral supplementation with arginine significantly reduced Aβ aggregation and its toxic effects in animal models.

Arginine, also known as L-arginine, is essential for protein production and naturally present in protein-rich foods like meat, fish, nuts, seeds, and dairy. It is also available as a dietary supplement. However, the study doses were specifically formulated for experimental use and do not match commercial supplement strengths.

Lead researcher Professor Yoshitaka Nagai highlighted, “Our study demonstrates that arginine can suppress Aβ aggregation both in vitro and in vivo. Given its clinical safety and affordability, arginine shows great promise as a therapeutic candidate for Alzheimer’s disease.”

In experiments with mice, oral arginine intake not only decreased amyloid plaque formation and insoluble Aβ42 levels but also improved behavioral outcomes. These mice exhibited reduced expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine genes linked to neuroinflammation, a critical factor in Alzheimer’s progression.

Prof. Nagai emphasized the impact of these findings: “This breakthrough opens new avenues for developing arginine-based treatments for neurodegenerative diseases arising from protein misfolding and aggregation.”

While the results are encouraging, the research team stresses the need for further preclinical and clinical trials to verify efficacy in humans and establish safe dosing protocols for potential therapeutic use.