Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are disorders characterized by the progressive loss of structure or function of neurons, leading to their eventual death. This decline disrupts essential brain functions, resulting in symptoms that significantly impair daily living and overall quality of life.
Common neurodegenerative diseases include Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).1 Individuals affected by these conditions often experience memory loss, impaired movement, and difficulties with speech and coordination. As the diseases advance, patients may face severe cognitive and physical challenges, necessitating extensive care and support.
Neurodegenerative diseases now affect millions worldwide, with Alzheimer’s alone responsible for approximately 60% to 70% of dementia cases.2 On the other hand, the prevalence of Parkinson’s disease is expected to double by 2040, underscoring a growing public health concern.3 Additionally, ALS affects about 2 per 100,000 people in Europe and the U.S., with no known cure currently available.4
Risk Factors Associated with Neurodegenerative Diseases
Understanding the underlying causes of NDs is complex, as they often involve a combination of factors. For example, genetic mutations can predispose individuals to conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. According to a review published in the NPJ Parkinson’s Disease journal, genetic factors are linked to 56% to 79% of the risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease.5
• Environmental toxins — Exposure to heavy metals and pesticides, may contribute to neuronal damage. According to the aforementioned study:
“Several studies have suggested that lead (Pb), arsenic (As), and methyl mercury (MeHg) are also neurotoxins and can disrupt brain function, cause cognitive dysfunction, and increase the risk of AD and PD by disrupting mRNA splicing, the ubiquitin-proteasome system, the electron transport chain, and oxidative stress.”6
• Lifestyle factors — Poor diet, lack of exercise and chronic stress exacerbate NDs by affecting overall brain health and function. The progression from these underlying causes to full-blown NDs involves a cascade of biological events. Neurons, the brain’s communication cells, begin to lose their structure and function due to factors like oxidative stress and inflammation.
This deterioration disrupts the brain’s ability to process information, leading to symptoms such as memory loss and impaired motor skills. Over time, the cumulative effect of these disruptions results in the characteristic decline associated with NDs.
• Diagnosing NDs can be challenging — Often, symptoms overlap with other conditions, making it difficult to pinpoint the exact disease. For instance, memory loss could be attributed to normal aging, stress, or other medical issues, leading to potential misdiagnosis. Additionally, the lack of definitive biomarkers for many NDs means that diagnosis often relies on clinical assessments and patient history, which can be subjective and vary between practitioners.
• Limitations in diagnostic tools complicate the process — Imaging techniques like MRI and CT scans show brain changes, but these are not always specific to NDs. Blood tests and genetic screenings may offer clues but are not conclusive.
As a result, patients may undergo a lengthy diagnostic journey, experiencing uncertainty and anxiety while seeking answers. This underscores the need for more precise and reliable diagnostic methods to improve early detection and treatment outcomes.
Beyond the immediate symptoms, neurodegenerative diseases lead to profound emotional and financial burden for patients and their families. The progressive nature of these disorders often results in loss of independence, increased healthcare costs and emotional stress. Addressing these multifaceted challenges is crucial in improving patient outcomes and enhancing the quality of life for those affected.
Breakthrough Research Shows Probiotics’ Role in Alzheimer’s Disease Management
A recent study published in the journal Nutrients7 investigated the impact of probiotics on individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. The research, conducted by Taiwanese researchers, aimed to determine whether introducing specific beneficial bacteria could influence cognitive function and reduce disease markers.
• Investigating the effects of probiotics — The study involved 60 elderly participants who were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. They were assigned to either a probiotic treatment group or a placebo group over a 12-week period.
The probiotic group consumed a milk product containing strains such as Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Bifidobacterium bifidum, and Lactobacillus fermentum. The primary goal was to assess any changes in cognitive function and Alzheimer’s disease markers as a result of the probiotic intervention.
• Probiotics improve cognitive function — Significant improvements were seen in the group that received probiotics compared to the placebo group. The probiotic group showed a notable increase in their Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores, indicating enhanced cognitive function. In contrast, those who took the placebo experienced a decline in their MMSE scores over the same period.
• Probiotics’ positive effects against inflammation — The probiotic group demonstrated a reduction in inflammation markers, which are often elevated in Alzheimer’s patients. “Considering these findings, specific probiotics demonstrate robust and effective antioxidant capabilities,” the study authors report.8
Probiotics Reduce Inflammation and Oxidative Stress
The mechanism behind these improvements is believed to involve the gut-brain axis, a communication network between the gastrointestinal tract and the brain.
• Probiotics balance your gut health — Probiotics help maintain a healthy balance of gut microbiota, which in turn influence brain function. By promoting a diverse and balanced microbiome, probiotics may reduce systemic inflammation and oxidative stress, both of which are implicated in the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. For more information on how gut health affects your mental health, read “Gut Health’s Impact on Mental Well-Being.”
• Benefits of SCFAs — Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are metabolites produced by beneficial bacteria in the gut. SCFAs have been shown to support brain health by providing energy to neurons and reducing inflammation. The increased abundance of Lactobacillus species in the probiotic group likely contributed to higher SCFA levels, fostering an environment conducive to cognitive stability and improvement.
• Benefits are observed in a short amount of time — Cognitive improvements were observed after just 12 weeks of probiotic supplementation, suggesting that the benefits of probiotics can manifest relatively quickly. This rapid response underscores the potential of probiotics as a viable intervention for slowing or even reversing aspects of cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s patients.
Comparing the effects of probiotics to other variables in the study, probiotics consistently outperformed the placebo in all measured outcomes. While both groups participated in the same environment and received similar care apart from the probiotic intervention, only the probiotic group showed meaningful improvements in physiological markers related to brain health. This stark contrast emphasizes the specific role that probiotics play in enhancing brain health.
Probiotics’ Mechanisms of Action Against Neurodegenerative Disorders
Biologically, the action of probiotics involves several interconnected pathways. By restoring a healthy balance of gut bacteria, probiotics reduce the production of harmful substances like lipopolysaccharides (LPS) that trigger inflammation in the brain.9
• Enhancing the integrity of the gut barrier — They prevent the leakage of proinflammatory agents into the bloodstream, which could otherwise reach the brain and exacerbate neuroinflammation.10
• Affecting neurotransmitter production — Probiotics influence the production of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).11 These chemicals are crucial for mood regulation and cognitive function. By increasing the levels of these neurotransmitters, probiotics contribute to improved mental health and cognitive resilience against the degenerative processes of Alzheimer’s disease.
Four Ways to Support Your Brain Through Gut Health
Your gut microbiome acts as a second brain, directly influencing your cognitive function and neurological health, and how you nourish it plays a significant role in your risk for neurodegenerative conditions. For example, a study published in Scientific Reports showed that certain bacterial strains in the gut, such as Collinsella, Lachnospira, and Veillonella, increased the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.12
However, they also identified strains that provide protective benefits against Alzheimer’s disease, such as Eubacterium nodatum and Eisenbergiella. These produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), particularly butyrate, from dietary carbohydrates.
Butyrate nourishes your colonic epithelial cells, reinforcing the intestinal barrier. SCFAs also stimulate mucin production, creating a protective shield against harmful bacteria. Akkermansia muciniphila also produces SCFAs, and research has shown that Alzheimer’s patients tend to have very low levels of this important keystone species.13 Here are four proven strategies geared toward optimizing the Akkermansia in your gut to enhance your brain health:
1. Increase Akkermansia through targeted diet and supplementation — Prioritize foods and supplements that promote the growth of Akkermansia. Include well-cooked, prebiotic-rich vegetables and fiber sources that nourish this crucial bacterium.
Consider high-quality supplements specifically designed to enhance Akkermansia levels, supporting gut barrier integrity and reducing brain inflammation. Avoid processed foods and high-fat diets that can hinder Akkermansia growth.
2. Enhance beneficial short-chain fatty acids — Focus on increasing butyrate-producing bacteria alongside Akkermansia to protect against amyloid buildup in the brain. Incorporate fermented foods and resistant starches that feed these beneficial microbes.
Tailor your carbohydrate intake to support your unique microbiome, aiming for at least 250 grams of targeted carbs daily, and adjust based on your activity level to optimize Akkermansia and short-chain fatty acid production.
3. Support your gut-brain connection — Optimize your gut barrier integrity to prevent inflammatory compounds from reaching your brain. This includes removing inflammatory processed foods and supporting the growth of protective bacteria like Akkermansia, which strengthens your intestinal lining.
Maintain a balanced diet with sufficient carbohydrates tailored to your microbiome, and use pharmaceutical-grade supplements as needed to sustain Akkermansia levels.
4. Address systemic inflammation by promoting Akkermansia diversity — Lower inflammation throughout your body by enhancing microbiome diversity, with a specific emphasis on increasing Akkermansia.
Eliminate vegetable oils and other proinflammatory fats that damage gut bacteria, and incorporate foods that reduce inflammatory markers while supporting Akkermansia growth. Regularly monitor biomarkers such as C-reactive protein levels to track your progress in reducing systemic inflammation and maintaining a healthy gut microbiome.
Additional Strategies to Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease
Aside from optimizing your gut health and Akkermansia levels, there’s a plethora of helpful Alzheimer’s prevention strategies, several of which are outlined below:
• Avoid gluten and casein (primarily wheat and pasteurized dairy, but not dairy fat, such as butter) — As noted in a 2022 study,14 your blood-brain barrier is negatively affected by gluten. When bacteria enter your bloodstream, the risk of Alzheimer’s disease increases. Other cognitive disorders are linked to a weakened blood-brain barrier as well, such as Parkinson’s disease, anxiety and depression.
• Make sure you’re getting enough animal-based omega-3 fats — Omega-3 fats, namely EPA and DHA, help by preventing cell damage caused by Alzheimer’s disease, thereby slowing down its progression and lowering your risk of developing the disorder. That said, omega-3s are PUFAs, so don’t overdo it.
• Optimize your vitamin D level with safe sun exposure — Strong links between low levels of vitamin D in Alzheimer’s patients and poor outcomes on cognitive tests have been revealed. In a 2023 study,15 increasing vitamin D reduced dementia risk by 40%.
The best way to get vitamin D is through sensible sun exposure, aiming for a blood level between 60 and 80 ng/mL. However, you need to purge vegetable oils from your body before going into the sun at solar noon. The LA in your skin oxidizes when exposed to sunlight, causing inflammation and skin damage.
To protect your skin, avoid sun exposure during solar noon for four to six months as you work on removing LA from your body. Stick to sunlight during early morning and late afternoon in the meantime. For additional skin defense, you can take astaxanthin, a low-dose aspirin or molecular hydrogen. Niacinamide cream will also lower your risk of skin damage.
• Keep your fasting insulin levels below 3 — Insulin resistance is linked to accelerated brain aging, as well as neurodegeneration.16
• Eat a nutritious diet, rich in folate — Vegetables, without question, are your best form of folate. Avoid supplements like folic acid, which is the inferior synthetic version of folate. Research shows that folate is a protective factor against Alzheimer’s disease.17
• Avoid and eliminate mercury and aluminum from your body — Dental amalgam fillings, which are 50% mercury by weight, are one of the major sources of heavy metal toxicity. Make sure you use a biological dentist to have your amalgams removed. Sources of aluminum include antiperspirants, nonstick cookware and vaccine adjuvants.
• Make sure your iron isn’t elevated and donate blood if it is — A study18 published in Aging Medicine shows that excess iron increases your risk of Alzheimer’s disease by initiating the Fenton reaction, leading to increased oxidative stress.
• Exercise regularly — Exercise triggers beneficial changes that support cognitive function. Particularly, it’s been shown to improve blood flow to the brain, leading to an increase in biomarkers related to improved neuronal plasticity and better cell survival.19
• Eat blueberries and other antioxidant-rich foods — Wild blueberries, which have high anthocyanin and antioxidant content, are known to guard against neurological diseases.
• Challenge your mind daily — Mental stimulation, such as learning to play a musical instrument, is associated with a decreased risk of Alzheimer’s.20
• Avoid anticholinergics and statin drugs — Drugs that block acetylcholine, a nervous system neurotransmitter, have been shown to increase your risk of dementia. These drugs include certain nighttime pain relievers, antihistamines, sleep aids, certain antidepressants, medications to control incontinence, and certain narcotic pain relievers.
Statin drugs are particularly problematic because they suppress the synthesis of cholesterol, deplete your brain of CoQ10 and neurotransmitter precursors, and prevent adequate delivery of essential fatty acids and fat-soluble antioxidants to your brain by inhibiting the production of the indispensable carrier biomolecule known as low-density lipoprotein.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Probiotics and Neurodegenerative Diseases
Q: How do probiotics impact neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s?
A: Probiotics influence brain function through the gut-brain axis by restoring gut microbiome balance, reducing inflammation, and improving cognitive function. Studies suggest that beneficial bacteria can slow or even reverse aspects of cognitive decline in conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Q: What research supports the benefits of probiotics for Alzheimer’s patients?
A: A study published in Nutrients found that Alzheimer’s patients who took probiotics for 12 weeks showed improved cognitive function and reduced inflammation compared to a placebo group. These improvements were measured using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and inflammatory markers.
Q: What mechanisms make probiotics beneficial for brain health?
A: Probiotics help reduce inflammation by lowering harmful substances like lipopolysaccharides (LPS), enhancing gut barrier integrity, and influencing neurotransmitter production (e.g., dopamine and GABA). They also promote the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which support brain health.
Q: Can improving gut health help prevent neurodegenerative diseases?
A: Yes. A diverse gut microbiome, particularly the presence of beneficial bacteria like Akkermansia muciniphila, plays a crucial role in reducing inflammation and protecting against neurodegeneration. Consuming prebiotic-rich foods, fermented foods, and maintaining a fiber-rich diet can support gut health.
Q: What other lifestyle changes can support brain health and reduce Alzheimer’s risk?
A: In addition to probiotics, strategies like avoiding processed foods, eliminating heavy metal exposure (e.g., mercury and aluminum), maintaining optimal vitamin D and omega-3 levels, exercising regularly, and engaging in mental stimulation activities can help prevent cognitive decline and support brain health.
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