What Does the Future Hold?
So far, studies on mice have suggested that bacteria such as Bifidobacterium improve brain function by regulating the gut-brain connection. According to a King’s College London researcher, Mary Ni Lochlainn, they are “excited to see these changes in just 12 weeks. This holds huge promise for enhancing brain health and memory in our aging population. Unlocking the secrets of the gut-brain axis could offer new approaches for living more healthily for longer.” The researchers work for the largest adult twin registry in the United Kingdom. Twin studies are very valuable as they provide information that helps differentiate between the environmental and genetic factors that impact human health.
Evidence of a strong connection between the brain and gut continues to grow year after year. Some specialists are now so assured by the results that they actually refer to the stomach as the body’s ‘second brain.’ So far, the studies have revealed that these plant-fiber-based supplements are effective and affordable and could potentially benefit many individuals who are strapped for cash. Their next step is to conduct studies to determine whether these effects can be sustained in larger numbers and for longer periods of time. The participants of this particular study, for example, were mostly female, which may result in some bias in the data. However, it is still relevant as females are more susceptible to Alzheimer’s. Additionally, this research bolsters the theory that cognitive decline is driven by external factors too.