It has been discovered that taking inexpensive supplements can improve brain function in the elderly. What supplements are also effective in improving your intestinal health?



Taking

inulin and fructooligosaccharides (FOS), inexpensive supplements available over the counter in many countries around the world, has been shown to improve memory test scores in people over the age of 60.

Effect of gut microbiome modulation on muscle function and cognition: the PROMOTe randomized controlled trial | Nature Communications
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-46116-y



Cheap Daily Supplement Seems to Boost Brain Function in Older People : ScienceAlert

https://www.sciencealert.com/cheap-daily-supplement-seems-to-boost-brain-function-in-older-people

Inulin, a dietary fiber classified as a fructan , and FOS, plant-based carbohydrates often used as natural, low-calorie sweeteners, are inexpensive supplements available in many countries around the world.

A research team from King's College London studied 36 pairs of twins aged 60 or older, with one twin receiving a daily protein powder mixed with inulin or FOS, and the other receiving a placebo (protein only).



Three months after the start of treatment, the group given inulin or FOS received higher scores in cognitive tests than the other group. Changes in the intestinal flora were also evident. Specifically, the group taking inulin or FOS had more beneficial

bifidobacteria in their intestines.

Previous studies in mice have shown that high-fiber supplements such as inulin and FOS can nourish the colon microbiome, encouraging good bacteria to thrive, and have suggested that bifidobacteria may regulate gut-brain connections, reducing cognitive impairment.

'We're thrilled to have achieved these results in just 12 weeks,' said Mary Lochlane, a researcher at the University of California, San Diego. 'These findings hold great promise for improving brain health and memory in an ageing society.' 'Unlocking the secrets of the gut- brain connection may provide new approaches to helping people live longer, healthier lives.'



But while the high-fiber supplement may improve some aspects of cognitive function in the aging brain, such as memory and processing time, it did not produce any physical changes, and it did not reverse age-related muscle loss in either group.

However, research team member Claire Steeves said: 'These supplements are cheaply available over the counter so could benefit a wide range of people, even in these cash-strapped times. Our next challenge is to see whether these effects can be seen over the longer term and in larger groups of people.'

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in Science, Posted by log1r_ut