What’s good for the aging gut might also be good for the aging brain: The first study in twins has found that taking a daily protein and prebiotic supplement improved memory test scores in people over 60.
The findings are thought-provoking, especially since the same visual memory and learning tests are used to detect early signs of Alzheimer’s disease.
The double-blind study used two inexpensive prebiotic plant fibres available commercially in many countries around the world. Prebiotics are non-digestible foods that help stimulate gut bacteria.
one Inulinwhich is a fructan class dietary fiber. The other is Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) are plant-based carbohydrates commonly used as natural, low-calorie sweeteners.
To test the effects of these supplements on the aging brain, researchers at King’s College London enrolled 36 pairs of twins over the age of 60. Each pair was randomly assigned so that one twin received a daily dose of a prebiotic with protein powder, and the other received a daily placebo with protein powder.
The twins who unknowingly received inulin or FOS generally scored higher on cognitive tests three months later.
Furthermore, daily fiber supplements were associated with subtle changes in the twins’ gut microbiota. BifidobacteriaFor example, it was more abundant in twins who received inulin or FOS.
In mouse studies, Bifidobacteria Reduces cognitive impairment By regulating the gut-brain connection.
“It’s exciting to see such changes in just 12 weeks. This has great potential to improve brain health and memory in an ageing population.” Said “This is a major problem for many people,” geriatrics researcher Mary Ni Loughranne of King’s College London said when the study’s findings were published in March.
“Unlocking the secrets of the gut-brain axis may lead to new approaches to living longer, healthier lives.”
King’s College is the UK’s largest adult twin registry and twin studies are invaluable in distinguishing between genetic and environmental influences on human health.
Previous studies on rodents It has been suggested that high-fiber supplements such as inulin and FOS can “feed” the colonic microbiome, allowing good bacteria to thrive.
Some of these bacterial players Links too Mouse and human.
More and more evidence points to a strong connection between the gut and the brain. Some experts are so convinced of the results that Refer to the gut As the body’s “second brain.”
However, how these two nervous systems work together remains a mystery.
A recent twin study at KCL suggests that consuming certain “brain foods” may be a promising way to treat cognitive decline, but while prebiotics may improve some cognitive functions in the aging brain, such as memory and processing time, they do not appear to have significant physical benefits.
Despite inulin and FOS being important components of musculoskeletal maintenance, muscle loss was not reversed in older twins receiving a high-fiber supplement.
“These plant fibres are cheap and available over the counter, which means they could benefit a wide range of people in cash-strapped times. They are also safe and well-accepted.” Said Claire Steeves, geriatrician at KCL;
“Our next step is to see whether these effects persist over a longer period and in larger populations.”
Most of the twins in the current trial were female, and although the researchers controlled for sex in their findings, they acknowledge that there may be selection bias in the KCL twin cohort.
Still, women are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s, and studies like this one support the emerging idea that cognitive decline isn’t necessarily a brain disorder, but may also be linked to external factors.
The intestine is involved in many parts of the body, including the immune system and the central nervous system. By providing specific nutrients to the intestinal microflora, Prebiotics and probiotics It could open the door to treating many illnesses and diseases.
This study Nature Communications.
An earlier version of this article was published in March 2024.
