Views: 1000 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2025-09-12 Origin: Site
In August of this year, a study published in GeroScience found that the level of free GTP (guanosine triphosphate) in hippocampal neurons increases in middle age and decreases significantly in old age. However, just 24 hours after supplementing with "niacinamide + green tea polyphenols," the GTP level in aging neurons returned to that of young individuals.
The Anti-Aging Mechanism of "Niacinamide + Green Tea Polyphenols"
GTP, with a structure similar to ATP, is one of the key molecules in intracellular energy metabolism and signal transduction. In neurons, GTP is crucial for maintaining synaptic plasticity, vesicular transport, and autophagy.
Nevertheless, aging causes abnormalities in autophagy and endocytosis in the brain’s hippocampus, accelerating the decline of free GTP levels during middle age. This leads to the accumulation of extracellular amyloid-beta (Aβ) and reactive oxygen species (ROS).
As a precursor of NAD+, niacinamide can effectively promote GTP production. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a component of green tea polyphenols, acts as an Nrf2 redox gene inducer. The combined use of niacinamide and EGCG can significantly restore the reduced GTP levels in aging individuals within 24 hours, reinstate the autophagic clearance capacity of Aβ, and reverse the level of oxidized proteins to that of young individuals—thereby enhancing cognition and improving brain aging.
Green Tea Polyphenols: A Vital Active Ingredient in Tea
China has a tea-drinking culture spanning over a thousand years. The reason tea holds a prominent position among beverages lies in its abundant polyphenol content. Among the six major types of tea, green tea retains the highest amount of polyphenols. Numerous studies have confirmed that green tea polyphenols, as the most important nutritional and functional factors in green tea, exert positive functional effects on improving human physiological functions. Among them, EGCG has the highest content and the strongest physiological activity, making it a representative component of green tea polyphenols.
A study summarized recent research findings on green tea polyphenols in the health care field, revealing their beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system, brain damage, and "three highs" (hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and hyperglycemia).
1. Cardiovascular Protection
A large number of studies have found that drinking green tea can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as coronary heart disease. After 18 weeks of green tea polyphenol supplementation, the aortic fiber elasticity of rats fed a high-fat diet increased significantly; abnormalities such as aortic wall structural disorder, uneven intima, and increased media thickness were notably improved; and early vascular aging was alleviated.
Furthermore, studies have confirmed that EGCG improves atherosclerosis by inhibiting endothelial dysfunction induced by the inflammatory factor TNF-α.
2. Brain Damage Improvement
Green tea polyphenols possess multiple functions, including antioxidation, anti-apoptosis, reducing free radical damage to the body, and protecting nerve cells. They have shown protective effects in neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Research indicates that green tea polyphenols can significantly alleviate cognitive impairment in mice and improve neurological damage and nerve cell apoptosis caused by cerebral hemorrhage.
3. Alleviation of "Three Highs"
The effects of green tea polyphenols in lowering blood glucose, blood lipids, and blood pressure have been verified by numerous studies. Daily supplementation of 379 mg of green tea polyphenols (containing 208 mg of EGCG) significantly reduced fasting blood glucose, insulin levels, and insulin resistance in diabetic patients.
In addition, the serum inflammatory factors TNF-α and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein decreased significantly, suggesting that green tea polyphenols can significantly improve blood pressure, inflammation, and oxidative stress in patients with obesity-related hypertension.
Studies have also shown that adding 1.00% green tea powder or 0.25% green tea polyphenols to the diet effectively controlled the body weight, serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol of dogs, while significantly increasing the level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.
Niacinamide: Safeguarding Skin and Nervous System Health
Niacinamide, also known as nicotinamide, is an amide compound of niacin (vitamin B3) and exhibits good safety even at relatively high doses. As one of the precursors of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), niacinamide is essential for basic cellular activities.
The human body can obtain niacinamide through the conversion of tryptophan in the diet. Its main food sources include eggs, beef, fish, and mushrooms, while its content in vegetables is relatively low.
In the cosmetics field, niacinamide is hailed as an "all-purpose ingredient" and is commonly used in products for whitening, anti-wrinkling, oil control, and skin texture improvement—with its efficacy supported by clinical data. In terms of medicine and nutritional supplements, niacinamide is mostly used to improve skin diseases or as a vitamin B3 supplement.
1. Skin Care
Owing to its anti-inflammatory properties, niacinamide provides photoprotection for the skin, reducing hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, UV-induced immunosuppression, and sebum synthesis. It can improve skin conditions such as acne and dermatitis.
2. Neuroprotection
Neurons are crucial in the central nervous system but decline with age. Niacinamide has antioxidant capacity, preventing the development of cell damage and phagocytosis. It has shown protective properties in research models of various neurodegenerative diseases.
More Ingredients for Improving Brain Aging
Brain aging refers to the natural degenerative process of the human brain with increasing age, typically characterized by decreased synaptic plasticity, weakened neural network conduction efficiency, and reduced neurotransmitter secretion. Clinically, it mainly manifests as cognitive decline, such as memory loss, slower information processing speed, and impaired attention control.
Food is rich in a variety of natural ingredients that can improve brain health, and these ingredients have potential positive effects on delaying brain aging.
1. Magnesium L-Threonate: "Brain Magnesium" That Crosses the Blood-Brain Barrier
Magnesium L-Threonate is a magnesium source capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier, also known as "brain magnesium." It is an endogenous compound in cerebrospinal fluid and a new type of magnesium salt with excellent brain bioavailability.
Animal and human studies have shown that Magnesium L-Threonate can effectively transport magnesium across the blood-brain barrier to neuronal cells, thereby enhancing neural plasticity, improving memory and cognitive ability, reducing anxiety and stress, and promoting sleep.
In 2016, Magnesium L-Threonate was approved as a new variety of nutritional fortifier by the former National Health and Family Planning Commission (Announcement No. 4 of 2025 revised the quality specification requirements for Magnesium L-Threonate). Since then, it has been classified as a raw material for health food (nutrient supplements). In 2024, the European Commission authorized AIDP’s Magnesium L-Threonate to be placed on the market as a novel food. In addition, Magnesium L-Threonate hydrate has obtained GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) certification from the U.S. FDA.
2. Codonopsis Pilosula Polysaccharides: An Anti-Aging Ingredient from "Food-Medicine Homology" Sources
Codonopsis Pilosula, belonging to the Campanulaceae family, is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine and one of the "food-medicine homology" substances in China. It has a sweet taste and warm nature, with effects of replenishing qi, invigorating the spleen, moistening the lungs, nourishing blood, and promoting fluid production.
Modern studies have shown that Codonopsis Pilosula Polysaccharides may enhance the learning and memory abilities of lead-poisoned mice by enhancing lipid peroxidation and neutralizing free radicals in the brain. They also improve brain function in model rats by affecting the Nrf2 pathway.
3. Phosphatidylserine (PS): An Acidic Phospholipid in the Brain
PS is an important membrane phospholipid present in bacteria, yeast, plants, and mammalian cells, and is also the main acidic phospholipid in the brain.
Regarded as one of the most important brain nutrients, PS regulates various neurotransmitter systems, including acetylcholine, dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine. Studies have shown that PS helps improve nerve cell function and enhance nerve conduction efficiency, thereby demonstrating positive effects in delaying age-related cognitive decline.
4. Citicoline: A Vital Brain Nutrient
Citicoline, also known as CDP-Choline, is a key brain nutrient naturally present in the human body. Composed of choline and cytidine, it is a precursor of phosphatidylcholine—an important component of cell membranes.
Kyowa Hakko Bio (a subsidiary of Kirin Holdings) has developed a patented form of citicoline called Cognizin®. Supplementation with Cognizin® can effectively increase the brain’s energy supply to enhance focus and promote the synthesis of acetylcholine and phosphatidylcholine. These two compounds, as important neuroprotective substances, help regulate memory, cognitive function, and brain health.
Special Declaration
All the contents in this account are for general reference only, and are provided as information reference services for practitioners in the nutrition and health industry. Descriptions related to efficacy all have corresponding data support, but they do not represent claims or guidance for consumers. The health foods and functional foods mentioned herein are not drugs and cannot replace medication. Readers should not take actions on their own without specific professional advice.
