From Global Fruselva we are immersed in both the field of cognition and the field of probiotics due to the strong relationship between both concepts, so we believe it should be important to focus our efforts on offering the best products as part of a healthy diet, since according to a study conducted by the European Union, every year almost 165 million people suffer some kind of cognitive impairment, representing “The greatest challenge of the Europe of the XXI Century”.
Aging is characterized by progressive decline in biological functions of the organism. Central nervous system functions during normal aging lead to age-related cognitive decline and mood disorders that are common and important health problems among older adults. Most industrialized countries are facing a rapid increase in the proportion of older adults considered to be in the danger zone of neurological diseases. The development of efficient preventative and therapeutical strategies targeting neurodegenerative disorders should be considered as a public health priority to promote healthy aging in the global population.
The gut microbiota, a collection of microorganisms found in the gastrointestinal tract, has pivotal roles in anatomical, physiological, and immunological host functions. During aging undergoes a significant transition in its composition and function which can affect health and age-related diseases.
In the present article, scores in frequency of gas passage and abdominal distention showed significant improvements in the probiotics group compared with the placebo. Mental flexibility showed a significant improvement at week 12 in the probiotics group compared with the placebo group. The 12-week consumption of probiotics did affect the stress score. While the stress score was increased in the placebo group, it was dramatically decreased in the probiotics group. It is of interest that Eubacterium and Clostridiales showed a significant negative correlation with the level of Blood Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), a pro-survival protein highly expressed in the hippocampus with essential functions in neurons during development and in adulthood, a only in the probiotics group suggesting that reduction in the relative abundances of Eubacterium and Clostridiales in the gut driven by probiotic supplementation closely related to the increase in the serum BDNF, thereby improving brain functions. Milk fermented by Lactobacillus helveticus improved cognitive functions in healthy order adults. In the probiotics group the most relevant change in the gut microbial composition was the reduction in the abundance of bacteria that causes inflammation including Eubacterium and Prevotellaceae.
The interaction between the gut microbiota and the central nervous system may underlie the improvements in cognitive and cerebral functioning upon probiotic supplementation and explain the concomitant changes in peripheral neuromodulators.
Shifts in microbial community mirrored changes in the cognitive and mental scores.
Kim CS, Cha L, Sim M, Jung S, Chun WY, Baik HW, Shin DM. Probiotic Supplementation Improves Cognitive Function and Mood with Changes in Gut Microbiota in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Multicenter Trial. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2021 Jan 1;76(1):32-40. doi: 10.1093/gerona/glaa090. PMID: 32300799; PMCID: PMC7861012.
Journal Impact Factor: 6.591 (Q1)
Objective of the study: determine the effects of probiotics on cognition and modo in community-dwelling older adults.
Population: participants from communities in Seoul and Seongnam in the Republic of Korea.
Sample selected: subjects over 65 years old and to consent to be randomly assigned and refrain from consuming any other dietary supplements. A total of 63 subjects were enrolled for the study.
Publication date: 17 April 2020