Probiotics may protect from early cognitive decline signs
A rigorous clinical trial in South Korea found that daily probiotic mixes may protect older adults from early signs of cognitive decline.
A trial involving eighty-seven participants in the Gwangju cohort showed improved scores after taking the supplement for twenty-four weeks compared to those receiving a placebo. This study examined cognitive function changes among elderly individuals over the specific duration of the research intervention period.
The probiotic mixture contained three specific bacterial strains including Bifidobacterium animalis and Limosilactobacillus fermentum. These were given to half of the study participants who completed the full intervention period successfully without dropping out of the trial.
Researchers observed a significant reduction in blood levels of pTau181. This biomarker measures Alzheimer's disease changes occurring within the human brain tissue structure over time during the study phase of the trial.
Participants also showed better performance on tasks requiring visual interpretation and spatial organization skills. This indicates potential benefits for brain health linked to gut microbial balance and immune system interactions in older adults.
“maintaining or restoring the gut microbial balance through probiotic supplementation may represent a promising strategy to mitigate early Alzheimer's disease-related pathological processes”