Probiotics not only aid gut health, but may also protect against dementia. This was reported by daily mail.
Some research suggests that probiotic supplements help with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and may also restore the balance of beneficial bacteria in the gut after taking antibiotics. The study, presented at the American Society of Nutrition meeting in July by scientists at the University of Reading in England, found that older adults who took probiotic supplements had better cognitive function than those who took a placebo.
Probiotics are preparations of intestinal bacteria that are also found in yogurt, cottage cheese, kimchi, soybeans and other foods. The study’s authors don’t know exactly how probiotics work, but it is known that the brain and gut are closely connected through the brain-gut axis. Gut bacteria play a role in the immune system, appetite control, weight control and mood control. It’s also unknown which types of probiotics are better for the brain than others, so it’s best to take probiotics that contain a mix of the most studied: lactobacilli, bifidobacteria, and lactococci.
Daily Mail notes that dementia is a problem for older people, but young people can also benefit from probiotics. In a 2019 study, women ages 18 to 40 who took probiotics for 28 days performed better on stressful tasks compared to those who took a placebo.
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