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A daily fiber supplement can improve brain function in people over 60 in just 12 weeks, according to a study.
Researchers at King’s College London found that the pills, sold cheaply in health food stores, can improve performance on memory tests associated with early signs of Alzheimer’s disease.
Dr Mary Ni Lochlainn said: “We are excited to see these changes in just 12 weeks.
“This holds great promise for improving brain health and memory in our aging population.
“Unlocking the secrets of the gut-brain axis could offer new approaches to living healthier, longer.”
The study, published in Nature Communications, tested two plant fiber supplements, inulin and FOS, to see if they affected muscle health and brain function.
Researchers at King’s College London found that the pills, sold cheaply in health food stores, can improve performance on memory tests associated with early signs of Alzheimer’s disease. The study, published in Nature Communications, tested two plant fiber supplements, inulin and FOS, to see if they affected muscle health and brain function. Pictured is a brand of inulin supplements, Bioglan, sold on the high street.
Mood swings and swearing are signs of Alzheimer’s and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a type of dementia that causes behavioral and language problems. According to experts, bad parking and sloppy dressing are also signs of this memory-robbing disease. Graphic shows: Six signs of Alzheimer’s disease
The pills, which contain plant fibers that help healthy bacteria grow in the gut, were given to half of 36 pairs of twins. The others were given placebo tablets.
All study participants also performed resistance exercises and consumed a protein supplement aimed at improving muscle function.
While there were no significant changes in muscle strength, subjects who took fiber supplements performed better on tests evaluating brain function.
They showed improvement on the Paired Associates Learning Test, which is an early marker of Alzheimer’s disease, and on tests of reaction time and processing speed.
These are important for everyday tasks like reacting to traffic or preventing a simple trip from turning into a fall.
Professor Claire Steves said: “These plant fibres, which are cheap and available over the counter, could benefit a wide range of people in these cash-strapped times.” They are safe and acceptable too.
“Our next task is to see if these effects hold over longer periods and in larger groups of people.”
The prevalence of conditions such as cognitive decline and muscle loss is increasing as the world’s population ages.