The research is clear: Concussions early in life can cause dementia years later. The problem is so serious in the NFL that the league is spending over $700 million in court-ordered payments to retired football players suffering brain impairment.

Some players have prematurely quit because of worries about dementia. And recently, even an announcer quit over the issue. ESPN analyst Ed Cunningham said he no longer wanted to promote a sport that causes brain damage. Some experts believe football cannot survive as a sport if a solution isn’t found.

A new study by Penn State researchers shows that a little-known supplement might be at least part of the answer.