"Exciting" new research suggests a supplement could potentially lower the risk of Alzheimer's disease. The study found that this naturally occurring amino acid can prevent the accumulation of harmful plaque in the brain.

Alzheimer's disease is the most prevalent type of dementia, causing issues with memory, language, and behaviour. It is believed to be triggered by an abnormal build-up of proteins in and around brain cells.

Amyloid is one such protein, which can form plaques around brain cells. A recent study has indicated that taking an oral supplement could reduce amyloid levels in the brain.

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The research, published in Neurochemistry International, discovered that arginine, a natural amino acid, can significantly decrease amyloid β (Aβ) aggregation and its toxic effects in animal models of Alzheimer's disease. Arginine, also known as l-arginine, is an amino acid that aids your body in producing proteins.

It can be found in many high-protein foods such as meat, fish, nuts and seeds, and dairy products. Arginine can also be obtained as a supplement from numerous health stores.

However, it's crucial to note that the doses used in the study were specifically designed for research purposes and do not correspond to commercial products. Professor Yoshitaka Nagai, one of the lead researchers of the study, said: "Our study demonstrates that arginine can suppress Aβ aggregation both in vitro and in vivo.

"What makes this finding exciting is that arginine is already known to be clinically safe and inexpensive, making it a highly promising candidate for repositioning as a therapeutic option for Alzheimer's disease."

As reported by Science Daily, researchers found that in mice, oral arginine administration reduced the formation of amyloid plaques and decreased insoluble Aβ42 levels within the brain. The mice given arginine also demonstrated improved performance in behavioural tests and exhibited lower expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine genes associated with neuroinflammation, which plays a significant role in Alzheimer's progression.

Prof Nagai suggested this discovery could offer fresh avenues for preventing Alzheimer's disease. "Our findings open up new possibilities for developing arginine-based strategies for neurodegenerative diseases caused by protein misfolding and aggregation," he said.

"Given its excellent safety profile and low cost, arginine could be rapidly translated to clinical trials for Alzheimer's and potentially other related disorders." The research team emphasised, however, that further preclinical and clinical investigations are necessary to establish whether these results can be replicated in humans and to identify suitable dosing protocols.

The NHS states that during the early stages, the primary symptom of Alzheimer's disease is lapses in memory. For instance, a person in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease may:

• Forget recent conversations or events


• Misplace items


• Forget the names of places and objects


• Struggle to think of the right word


• Ask questions repetitively


• Show poor judgement or finding it harder to make decisions


• Become less flexible and more hesitant to try new things

If you believe that you, or someone you know is exhibiting these symptoms, it's advisable to consult a GP.