'Cheap' daily supplement could improve memory and brain function, experts say

An affordable daily supplement could help boost brain function in people over 60, according to experts.

A new study has found that adding a daily dose of a fibre supplement to your diet could improve memory test performances associated with early signs of Alzheimer's disease. Prebiotics are plant fibres that promote healthy gut bacteria and they are readily available over the counter.

The study found that while the supplements - inulin and Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) - may have improved brain function they did not affect muscle strength over the three-month period.

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Dr Mary Ni Lochlainn, the study's first author from King's College London, said: "We are excited to see these changes in just 12 weeks. This holds huge promise for enhancing brain health and memory in our ageing population. Unlocking the secrets of the gut-brain axis could offer new approaches for living more healthily for longer."

TwinsUK researchers at King's College London looked to find out how targeting gut microorganisms could impact muscle health and brain function. For the study, 36 twin pairs - a total of 72 individuals all aged over 60 - received either a placebo supplement or the actual supplement every day for three months.

As part of the study, participants also performed resistance exercises and consumed a protein supplement aimed at improving muscle function.

After monitoring the group remotely via video, online questionnaires and cognitive tests, researchers found the fibre supplement led to significant changes in the make up of a person’s gut microbiome (bacteria).

The study, published in Nature Communications, said there was a particular increase in the numbers of beneficial bacteria such as Bifidobacterium. People who took the fibre did better on brain tests, which can show if someone might get Alzheimer's disease. They also did better on tests that check reaction time.

Researchers suggest these measures are important for everyday activities like reacting to traffic or stopping a simple trip-up turning into a fall.

Claire Steves, a professor at King's College London, said: "These plant fibres, which are cheap and available over-the counter, could benefit a wide group of people in these cash-strapped times. They are safe and acceptable too. Our next task is to see whether these effects are sustained over longer periods and in larger groups of people."