Scientists uncover how fat-clogged brain cells could fuel Alzheimer’s

(NaturalHealth365)  For decades, scientists believed Alzheimer’s was driven primarily by sticky protein plaques and tangles that clog the brain.  But new research from Purdue University, published in Immunity, has uncovered another major culprit: an overload of fat.

Researchers have found that the brain’s immune cells, known as microglia, can become clogged with fat, rendering them too weak to effectively defend the brain against disease.  When these cells are overloaded, they stop clearing out toxic proteins, such as amyloid beta, which accelerates the very damage they are meant to prevent.

This discovery represents a dramatic shift in how scientists view Alzheimer’s.  It suggests that instead of focusing solely on removing plaques, treatment should also target how the brain processes and stores fat.

A “lipid model” of neurodegeneration

The study, led by Dr. Gaurav Chopra, Professor of Chemistry at Purdue, found that in Alzheimer’s brains, microglia near plaques contain twice as many fat droplets as those farther away.  These “fat-choked” immune cells cleared 40% less amyloid beta – a key step in disease progression.

Chopra’s team traced the cause to an enzyme called DGAT2, which converts fatty acids into stored fat.  In Alzheimer’s brains, this enzyme was found to accumulate instead of degrading, leading to an overload of stored fat within microglia.

When researchers blocked or degraded DGAT2 in lab models, microglia regained their strength – clearing plaques and restoring brain balance.  “It’s not enough to target plaques,” said Dr. Chopra.  “We need to restore the brain’s immune defenses by clearing out excess fat.”

This “lipid model of neurodegeneration” also aligns with earlier work showing that astrocytes, another type of brain cell, release toxic fats under stress.  Together, the findings paint a picture of metabolic breakdown in the brain, where immune cells and support cells both lose their ability to manage fats properly, fueling inflammation and damage.

What this means for Alzheimer’s prevention

These insights suggest an entirely new approach: protecting brain health by promoting healthy fat metabolism and immune function.

In practical terms, this means helping the brain’s cells handle fats efficiently, reduce inflammation, and maintain energy balance, long before disease sets in.

Natural solutions to support brain fat balance and immunity

Several natural strategies may help the brain maintain healthy fat metabolism and immune balance:

• Support mitochondrial energy: Nutrients like CoQ10, PQQ, and alpha-lipoic acid improve cellular energy and fat burning.

• Balance inflammation: Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA/DHA), curcumin, and resveratrol support the health of microglia and neurons.

• Enhance detoxification and fat metabolism: Phosphatidylcholine, choline-rich foods (such as eggs and sunflower lecithin), and intermittent fasting help cells clear excess fat.

• Promote restorative sleep: Deep sleep triggers a brain “clean-up” process via the glymphatic system, helping to remove toxins and metabolic waste.

• Avoid toxic fats: Limit processed oils (canola, soybean, corn) that disrupt lipid balance in the brain and cell membranes.

What should be done now

If you’re concerned about Alzheimer’s prevention, inflammation, or brain aging, explore natural, science-backed ways to protect your cognitive health.

Get expert guidance and breakthrough strategies inside Jonathan Landsman’s Alzheimer’s and Dementia Summit, where top researchers and healthcare providers share how to reduce brain inflammation, restore immune balance, and protect memory for life.

Sources for this article include:

Wiley.com
Sciencedaily.com
Cell.com

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