We know probiotics, whether you get them from fermented foods or a supplement, do wonders for gut health, which can, in turn, drive positive changes throughout your body, especially in your brain. New research published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease found that brain benefits might be more significant than once thought, as probiotics could protect from early cognitive decline.
In a double-blind, 24-week clinical trial conducted in South Korea, older adults with early cognitive impairment took a daily multistrain probiotic called KL-P301 (a fancy blend of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus strains) or a placebo. Participants who took the probiotic powder saw large drops in plasma levels of a blood biomarker for Alzheimer’s disease associated with protein tangles that clog brain cells.
Those who didn’t take the probiotics did not see a drop in this biomarker, which goes by the catchy name of pTau181.
A Daily Probiotic Could Help Slow Early Cognitive Decline, New Study Suggests
The probiotic group saw that number drop and improved in visual memory, spatial awareness, and drawing complex shapes compared to the placebo group. The researchers also noticed a drop in an inflammatory marker called IL-1β, suggesting that these good bacteria might help cool down systemic inflammation before it can breach the blood-brain barrier to rack your neurons.
Taking a daily supplement won’t instantly melt away brain tangles. It’s not a wonder supplement. Researchers want larger, longer trials with advanced imaging to see how long these neuroprotective effects last. But if it ultimately turns out that you can fend off a debilitating neurodegenerative disease like Alzheimer’s by just keeping your gut bacteria happy, that would be an enormous victory for the human race.
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