London: A study found that taking a daily fiber supplement could improve the brain performance of people over the age of 60 in just 12 weeks.
A cheap over-the-counter pill can improve performance on memory tests related to early signs of Alzheimer’s disease, researchers at King’s College London have found in a study.
One of the scientists involved in the study, Dr. Mary Nee Lochlin, said that the researchers were surprised to see these changes in just 12 weeks. This supplement has the potential to improve mental health and memory in the aging population.
The emerging connection between the gut and the brain may offer new insights into long-term health, he said.
The study, published in the journal Nature Communications, tested two plant fiber supplements (inulin and FOS) to see their effects on brain performance and muscle health.
In the study, 36 pairs of twins were divided into two groups. One group was given a pill containing plant fiber (which supports the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut) while the other group was given a placebo (dummy drug).
Each participant in the study was also given resistance exercise and a protein supplement to improve muscle performance.
Meanwhile, while there was no significant change in muscle strength, the group that took the fiber supplement performed better on a test of mental performance.
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