Eating probiotics ‘boosts’ brain power in Alzheimer’s patients
After 12 weeks of taking probiotics found in yoghurt, the study claims patients showed a huge improvement in memory tests
YOGHURT could boost brain power in dementia patients, a study claims.
Alzheimer’s sufferers given doses of healthy bugs showed improvement in memory tests.
Probiotics, which are live bacteria and yeasts found in some yoghurts and supplements, are good for the tum — and experts say the brain can also benefit.
The study involved 52 women and men with Alzheimer’s aged 60 to 95. Half got a dose of milk with four types of healthy bacteria, while the rest had plain milk.
After 12 weeks, patients taking probiotics showed a huge improvement in brain tests compared to the other half. They were better at recalling dates, counting back from 100 in sevens, naming objects, repeating a phrase and copying a picture.
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Past studies in mice found probiotics aid memory. But Prof Mahmoud Salami, who led the Iranian study, said: “This is the first time probiotic supplementation has been shown to benefit cognition in humans with Alzheimer’s.”
Dr Rosa Sancho, of Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “It raises interesting questions about the link between gut and brain.”
Around 850,000 Brits suffer from dementia and this is expected to rise to 1 million within the next decade.
There is currently no effective treatment against the brain-wasting disease.
The study is published in the journal Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience.