Can Probiotics Help with Dementia or Alzheimer's Disease?

The gut is the second brain but may hold the key to maintaining the health of your first one. Our gut microbiome is teeming with bacteria that influence our memory recall, cognitive performance, sleep patterns, and many more factors that influence brain health. That's why using targeted probiotics for dementia prevention could be beneficial. Let's discuss how the gut microbiome impacts brain function and the potential effects of probiotic supplementation for Alzheimer's patients!

What are Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease?

Both dementia and Alzheimer's Disease are typically used interchangeably. However, dementia is a more generalized term to describe growing judgment impairment [1].

Alzheimer's is a degenerative brain disease. It's caused by the build-up of proteins in the brain, namely amyloid protein and tau protein.

These proteins block areas that involve learning, reasoning, and memory. Many Alzheimer's patients can become confused, agitated, regress to their childhood, or become lost.

How Does the Gut Influence Alzheimer's Disease?

Many clinical trials have shown that gut dysbiosis plays a significant role in Alzheimer's development [2]. Gut dysbiosis describes an imbalance of gut microbiota. Long-term dysbiosis can cause the immune system to promote chronic inflammation.

Inevitably, chronic inflammation may cross the blood-brain barrier. This transportation may result in the destruction of healthy brain cells. In turn, it leaves more room for amyloid and tau protein to clog up areas of the brain and disrupt communication.

Therefore, getting your gut tested can be an excellent way to support healthy cognitive function and metabolic status.

Determine which beneficial bacteria you might be low in, and discover how to replenish them so that you can curb inflammation and support healthy brain tissue.

Probiotics for Alzheimer's

Using dietary supplements for brain health is not a novel idea. However, probiotic supplementation for cognitive wellness is an emerging field that shows great promise for healthy aging and neuroscience.

Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG

One double-blind and controlled trial looked at the influence of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG for probiotic supplementation on the cognitive function of neurodegenerative adults [2]. Those who had cognitive impairment and supplemented with Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG performed better than those who took a placebo.

Scientists hypothesize these health benefits may be due to the anti-inflammatory benefits of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG. Also, studies showed that a probiotic with Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG may boost cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) and Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in rats.

CREB plays a key role in circadian rhythm (biological clock), which lends further support to using probiotics for sleep health. Meanwhile, BDNF helps with brain plasticity, which makes learning new concepts easier.

Lactobacillus plantarum DR7 

What makes probiotics for Alzheimer's Disease so unique is that each probiotic strain can contain unique health benefits. As we noted, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG helps protect the brain and assists with learning new ideas.

Different Lactobacilli strains exhibit different health benefits. For instance, studies involving Lactobacillus plantarum DR7 suggest this probiotic strain can support memory recall over 12 weeks[4].

Scientists noted that Lactobacillus plantarum DR7 enhanced serotonin pathways. Serotonin regulates our mood, focus, and sleep patterns, all of which can be negatively impacted by a poor metabolic status in Alzheimer's patients.

In fact, research shows that those with Alzheimer's Disease tend to have low serotonin levels [5]. Up to 90% of our serotonin is made in the gut. So, it's important to have a wide variety of bacteria, in your gut microbiome. You can achieve this through microbiome testing and targeted probiotics.

What's A Good Probiotic for Alzheimer's Disease?

Not all probiotics have the same effects. That's why a targeted probiotic is the best probiotic for Alzheimer's Disease. You should choose a probiotic supplement that is backed by clinical studies to provide specific brain health benefits.

Ombre's Mood Enhancer contains bacteria strains that are supported by studies to boost memory, energy, and cognitive performance. This proprietary blend contains brain-enhancing probiotic strains, including Lactobacillus plantarum DR7  and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG.

Support mental wellness all year long. Subscribe to  for preventative health and to target inflammations that could lead to cognitive decline.

Not sure if Mood Enhancer is the right probiotic for you? Determine where your gut microbiome could use some support. Get a Gut Health Test from Ombre. Discover which of our proprietary probiotic blends is best to help create diversity in your gut and peace of mind in your headspace!

Resources

[1] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alzheimers-disease/expert-answers/alzheimers-and-dementia-whats-the-difference/faq-20396861

[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6326209/

[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7671471/

[4] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30882244/

[5] https://www.alzheimers.net/could-low-serotonin-levels-drive-alzheimers-disease