By modifying the intestinal microbiota, taking fiber-based dietary supplements improves brain health and memory in the aging population within 12 weeks.
- Daily fiber supplementation for 12 weeks positively changed the composition of the intestinal microbiota of people aged over 60.
- It also improved their performance (reaction time, processing speed) in memory tests associated with early signs of Alzheimer’s disease.
- On the other hand, food supplements based on plant fibers had no effect on the muscle strength of seniors.
Research suggests that introducing changes to the gut microbiota can alter both muscle physiology and cognitive behavior in seniors. In a new study, researchers from King’s College London (England) sought to understand how targeting the microbiota, namely all the microorganisms residing in our intestines, using two food supplements based on of commercially available plant fibers, inulin and fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS), could have an impact on muscle health and brain function.
Fiber supplementation increases the number of beneficial gut bacteria
For the purposes of the work, published in the journal Nature Communications, they recruited 36 twins, for a total of 72 people aged over 60 years. Participants were randomly divided into two groups. Some had to take dietary supplements based on plant fibers every day for 12 weeks. The other adults received a placebo.
At the same time, all volunteers performed muscle strengthening exercises and received protein supplementation aimed at improving muscle function. “The trial is carried out remotely through videos, questionnaires and online cognitive tests, as well as sending equipment and biological samples.”
According to the results, fiber supplementation led to significant changes in the composition of participants’ gut microbiota, particularly an increase in the number of beneficial bacteria, such as Bifidobacterium.
Better brain results with plant fiber supplements
Although there was no significant difference between the groups in terms of muscle strength, the group that took the fiber supplements performed better on brain function tests. This was notably observed for the associated pairs learning test, which is an early marker of Alzheimer’s disease, as well as tests of reaction time and processing speed. “These measures are important for everyday life, for example when reacting to traffic or preventing a simple trip from turning into a fall.”
“These plant fibers, which are inexpensive and over-the-counter, could benefit a wide group of people in these times of budget constraints. They are also safe and effective. Our next goal is to see if these effects persist over longer periods of time. long and in larger samples”, concluded Claire Stevesco-author of the research.
