Latest news with #glycogen
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Surprise Discovery Could Rewrite What We Know About Alzheimer's
A new study just uncovered a surprising link between how brain cells manage sugar and the progression of Alzheimer's disease—and the implications could reshape future treatments. Researchers at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging have discovered that stored glucose, in the form of glycogen, may not be the passive energy reserve scientists once assumed. Instead, it may actively contribute to the buildup of tau proteins, a hallmark of Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases. Tauopathies like Alzheimer's are characterized by toxic tangles of tau inside neurons. But this study, published in Nature Metabolism, found that those tangles may form, at least in part, because of disruptions in how glycogen is processed in the brain. 'Stored glycogen doesn't just sit there in the brain,' said Buck Institute biologist Pankaj Kapahi. 'It is involved in pathology.' Using fruit fly models and postmortem brain cells from people with Alzheimer's, scientists found elevated levels of both tau and glycogen. The buildup appeared to be driven by a breakdown in how glycogen is metabolized, specifically through the enzyme glycogen phosphorylase (GlyP), which normally helps convert glycogen into usable fuel. When researchers increased GlyP activity in the flies, they saw significant benefits. Brain cells reduced oxidative stress, protected themselves better, and even lived longer. The team also tested whether a low-protein diet, already linked to improved brain health, might produce similar effects. It did. Fruit flies fed this restricted diet showed fewer signs of damage and extended lifespans, suggesting that dietary changes could naturally shift brain metabolism in a protective direction. Even more intriguing, the researchers developed a drug that mimicked the effect of dietary restriction. It worked. And they noted potential crossover with medications like Ozempic, which may also support brain health by targeting glycogen-related pathways. 'By discovering how neurons manage sugar,' said lead researcher Sudipta Bar, 'we may have unearthed a novel therapeutic strategy—one that targets the cell's inner chemistry to fight age-related decline.' If future studies replicate these results in humans, this could mark a turning point in our understanding and treatment of Alzheimer' Discovery Could Rewrite What We Know About Alzheimer's first appeared on Men's Journal on Jul 7, 2025
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Surprise Discovery About Sugar in The Brain Could Help Fight Alzheimer's
Stores of glucose in the brain could play a much more significant role in the pathological degeneration of neurons than scientists realized, opening the way to new treatments for conditions like Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's is a tauopathy; a condition characterized by harmful build-ups of tau proteins inside neurons. It's not clear, however, if these build-ups are a cause or a consequence of the disease. A new study now adds important detail by revealing significant interactions between tau and glucose in its stored form of glycogen. Led by a team from the Buck Institute for Research on Aging in the US, the research sheds new light on the functions of glycogen in the brain. Before now, it's only been regarded as an energy backup for the liver and the muscles. "This new study challenges that view, and it does so with striking implications," says molecular biologist Pankaj Kapahi, from the Buck Institute. "Stored glycogen doesn't just sit there in the brain, it is involved in pathology." Related: Building on links previously found between glycogen and neurodegeneration, the researchers spotted evidence of excessive glycogen levels both in tauopathy models created in fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) and in the brain cells of people with Alzheimer's. Further analysis revealed a key mechanism at play: tau proteins interrupt the normal breakdown and use of glycogen in the brain, adding to the dangerous build-up of both tau and glycogen, as well as lowering protective neuron defense barriers. Crucial to this interaction is the activity of glycogen phosphorylase or GlyP, the main enzyme tasked with turning glycogen into a fuel the body can use. When the researchers boosted GlyP production in fruit flies, glycogen stores were utilized once more, helping to fight back against cell damage. "By increasing GlyP activity, the brain cells could better detoxify harmful reactive oxygen species, thereby reducing damage and even extending the lifespan of tauopathy model flies," says Buck Institute biologist Sudipta Bar. The team wondered if a restricted diet – already associated with better brain health – would help. When fruit flies affected by tauopathy were put on a low-protein diet, they lived longer and showed reduced brain damage, suggesting that the metabolic shift prompted by dieting can help boost GlyP. It's a notable set of findings, not least because it suggests a way that glycogen and tau aggregation could be tackled in the brain. The researchers also developed a drug based around the 8-Br-cAMP molecule to mimic the effects of dietary restriction, which had similar effects on flies in experiments. The work might even tie into research involving GLP-1 receptor agonists such as Ozempic, designed to manage diabetes and reduce weight loss, but also now showing promise for protecting against dementia. That might be because these drugs interact with one of glycogen's pathways, the researchers suggest. "By discovering how neurons manage sugar, we may have unearthed a novel therapeutic strategy: one that targets the cell's inner chemistry to fight age-related decline," says Kapahi. "As we continue to age as a society, findings like these offer hope that better understanding – and perhaps rebalancing – our brain's hidden sugar code could unlock powerful tools for combating dementia." The research has been published in Nature Metabolism. Air Pollution 'Strongly Associated' With DNA Mutations Tied to Lung Cancer FDA Issues Warning Over Dangerous 'Gas Station Heroin' Substance Mysterious Leprosy Pathogen Has Lurked in The Americas For 4,000 Years
Health Line
16-06-2025
- Health
- Health Line
Correct Way to Carb Load and Common Mistakes
Carb loading involves adjusting your diet and exercise levels for 1 to 3 days to boost the amount of carbs stored in your body. It may improve exercise performance, but it's not necessary for all types of activities. Carbohydrates are one of your body's primary fuel sources. In the body, carbs are stored as glycogen, which is mostly found in the liver and muscles. During moderate to high intensity workouts, your body uses these glycogen stores as its primary energy source. However, your body can only store so much glycogen at once, and the stores become depleted throughout exercise as the energy is used to fuel it. Carb loading is a nutritional strategy for increasing your body's glycogen stores above the normal amount. It involves eating more carbs than usual and decreasing exercise for several days. It may be beneficial for periods of high intensity exercise that last longer than 60 minutes, but for shorter bouts of exercise or less intense activities, carb loading may not be beneficial. Keep reading to learn more about how carb loading works, different strategies, common mistakes, and the types of foods you should eat. How does carb loading work? Carb loading involves increasing the ratio of carbs and glycogen stores in your body for 1 to 3 days prior to a long or high intensity event that's likely to deplete your glycogen stores. This may involve increasing the number of carbs you consume and lowering the amount of exercise you perform. In general, experts recommend consuming around 10 grams (g) per kilogram (kg) of body weight (4.5 g per pound) of carbohydrates per day. So, if you weigh 70 kg (154 pounds), that equals 700 g of carbs per day. Some experts previously used a percentage ratio, where 60% to 70% of the total calories were from carbohydrates. But this is no longer used, as caloric strategies range widely from person to person. It's important to note that while you may increase the amount of carbs in your diet, you're not increasing the total amount of calories. When you increase the number of carbs, you will decrease proteins and fats, too. Who can benefit from carb loading? Experts suggest that carb loading may primarily improve performance for certain types and durations of exercise. Specifically, it may be appropriate for exercise that leads to large decreases in the amount of glycogen in your muscles. This may include high intensity endurance activities like cycling, running, or sports like soccer. In these types of exercise, fatigue can occur when glycogen levels get too low. But research suggests that carb loading may help prolong energy stores, which means you can have energy for longer periods and delay fatigue. An older 1997 study found that carb loading improved performance by 2% to 3% for exercise lasting more than 90 minutes. Carb loading may be beneficial for longer periods of high intensity exercise. But it's unlikely to be effective for shorter durations of exercise or lower intensity exercises, such as weight training. This is because fat is the primary fuel source for these types of workouts. Carb loading strategies There are several different types of carb loading, but all strategies involve increasing the number of carbs you eat and temporarily decreasing the amount you exercise. Here are the two most common protocols: Classic 6-day The classic 6-day carb load strategy was first developed in the 1960s. It's designed to completely deplete glycogen stores during the first 3 days, then eat high amounts of carbs over the next 3 days to saturate the stores. Days 1 to 3: A low carb diet, where 5% to 15% or 100 g of your calories come from carbs, is combined with high intensity exercise. Days 4 to 6: A high carb diet, where more than 70% or 500 g of daily calories come from carbs, is combined with low intensity exercise. Although experts once believed the initial 'depletion' phase helped the body produce more glycogen once carbs were eaten again, research from 2017 shows it may not be necessary. Classic 2- to 3-day Healthcare professionals now recommend a carb loading phase of 36 to 48 hours before the high intensity event. The number of carbs this typically involves consuming is 10 to 12 g per kg (4.5 to 5.5 g per pound) of body weight. Some people also consume a low residue diet for 3 days before the high intensity event to help limit possible gastrointestinal symptoms. This diet limits high fiber foods that may be hard to digest and leave 'residue' in your digestive tract after early digestion stages. The most common mistakes and how to prevent them Before you start a carb loading program, there are several common mistakes you should be aware of. Carb loading when you don't need to Research suggests that carb loading may be beneficial for people getting ready to perform a high intensity activity that lasts longer than 60 minutes, such as a running or cycling race. When it comes to shorter durations and intensities of exercise, carb loading may not provide any benefits. For instance, a 2022 review found that carb loading is most likely not beneficial for weight lifting, unless lifting at high volumes. This means performing more than 10 sets per muscle group in one session. Carb loading when you don't need to may also lead to consuming more calories than your body needs. Consider the type of activity you're doing and whether carb loading may be beneficial. If you're unsure, speak with a registered dietitian, athletic coach, or healthcare professional. They can help you decide the pros and cons of carb loading for you. Eating the wrong amount of carbs Not getting enough carbs during an intended carb loading phase may affect your performance on the event day, while eating too many carbs may lead to eating too many calories, unintended weight gain, or a change in your diet. To determine how many carbs to eat during a carb loading phase, start by calculating your daily carb intake by recording all the food you eat for several days using a food-tracking app or the nutrition labels on your food. Then you can divide the grams of carbs you eat each day by your weight to compare your current intake to carb loading recommendations. For example, if you weigh 70 kg (154 pounds) and you normally eat 300 g of carbs per day, then you're consuming 4.2 g per kg (1.9 g per pound) of carbs per day. Experts recommend eating around 10 g of carbs per kg (4.5 g per pound) of body weight per day during a carb loading phase. Based on these recommendations, you would need to eat more than double the amount of carbs you would normally. Eating too much fat Fat is an important macronutrient in a balanced diet. While more research is needed to understand the role of fat in carb loading, it may be beneficial to limit the amount you eat to avoid eating too many calories and feeling sluggish. That said, a 2022 study found that eating a high fat meal after a carb loading phase 3.5 hours before the planned event may actually help improve glycogen stores during the event. A registered dietitian could help you determine how much fat you should eat during your carb loading phase. Eating too much fiber Some people report that eating high fiber foods during a carb loading phase may increase the risk of experiencing gastrointestinal symptoms like stomach discomfort, bloating, and water retention during the sporting event. Carb loading is a unique time when it may be better to choose refined grains like white bread or pasta over whole wheat. Exercising too much Lastly, failing to decrease or 'taper' the amount of exercise you perform during carb loading could limit the extent to which your glycogen stores increase during your high carb diet. A personal trainer or registered dietitian could help you determine the best type, duration, and intensity of exercise to perform during a carb loading phase. To get the recommended amount of carbs, you should focus on foods that are high in carbs, low in fat, and don't have too much fiber. The table below highlights some foods to consider eating and limiting during your carb loading phase: Foods to eat Foods to limit • low fiber cereals • 100% fruit juice • white noodles with marinara sauce • white bread • fruit jelly • white rice • fruit smoothies • skinned white potatoes • applesauce • pretzels • bananas • oranges • watermelon • white flour, used in cooking • sherbet or popsicles • sports drinks • low fat energy bars • creamy sauces • muffins • chips • cookies • pizza • brownies • ice cream • pastries • french fries • donuts • high fiber energy bars • beans • lentils • split peas • whole wheat products • bran flakes • oatmeal • raspberries • artichoke • green peas • chickpeas • chia seeds • broccoli It's important to continue eating protein and healthy fats to help support your muscles. Try to focus on lean protein sources, such as fish, lean cuts of meat or poultry, and low fat dairy. What's more, eat foods you enjoy and that are familiar to you. The bottom line Carb loading is a nutrition strategy to help increase the glycogen stores in your body, which can lead to increased athletic performance during high intensity exercise that lasts longer than 60 minutes. A carb loading phase usually lasts 1 to 3 days and involves eating around 10 g of carbs per kg (4.5 g per pound) of body weight daily. This strategy may not be useful for you if you are recreationally active but not an athlete or competitor in long-duration events.
