Adding this to the diet improves brain function in seniors in just 12 weeks

Researchers from King's College London have recently discovered that daily fiber supplementation can improve brain function in people aged over 60 in just 12 weeks, offering a potentially effective and economical way to combat early signs of Alzheimer's disease.


In a study recently published in Nature Communications, researchers from the School of Life and Population Sciences at King's College London showed that this simple and affordable addition to the diet could improve performance in memory tests associated with early signs of Alzheimer's disease. Dietary fiber supplements were able to enhance the brain functions of seniors, thus offering a simple dietary solution to counter early signs of Alzheimer's disease.

The study involved 72 individuals (36 pairs of twins) aged over 60, who were randomly divided into two groups. Some received a placebo, while others took dietary fiber supplements daily for 12 weeks. In parallel, all participants engaged in muscle-strengthening exercises and received protein supplementation with the goal of improving their muscle function.

The results showed that fiber supplementation led to significant changes in the gut microbiota composition of the participants, notably an increase in the number of beneficial bacteria such as Bifidobacterium. These changes were associated with improvements in memory, reaction, and processing speed tests, all linked to the early signs of Alzheimer's disease.

These findings are all the more important as the global population ages, leading to an increasing prevalence of age-related conditions such as cognitive decline and muscle loss. The researchers hope that this approach, by targeting the gut microbiome, could offer new perspectives for improving brain health and quality of life for aging populations worldwide.

"We're excited about these results obtained in just 12 weeks. It provides immense hope for improving the brain health and memory of our aging population. Understanding the secrets of the gut-brain axis could open new pathways for living healthier and longer," explains the lead author, Dr. Mary Ni Lochlainn, from the Department of Twin Research.

These results pave the way for future research aiming to determine whether these effects are sustainable in the long term and in a larger number of people, with the ultimate goal of improving the quality of life for aging populations globally.