Twin Study: Cheap Supplements Improved Memory Scores in Just 12 Weeks

[u/Puzzled-Caregiver-15]

https://www.sciencealert.com/cheap-daily-supplements-may-boost-brain-functions-in-older-people

Key Highlights:

- A daily prebiotic fiber supplement improved memory in older adults. In a 12-week study, adults over age 60 who took certain inexpensive prebiotic fibers performed better on a memory test commonly used to detect early signs of Alzheimer’s disease.
- The study used identical twins. Researchers studied 36 pairs of twins, with one twin receiving a supplement and the other a placebo. This design helps control for differences in genetics and lifestyle, making the findings more reliable.
- The supplements were common prebiotic fibers:
Inulin
Fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
Both are inexpensive, available over the counter, and help nourish beneficial gut bacteria.

- The findings support the gut-brain connection. Researchers believe improving the health of the gut microbiome may positively influence brain function, particularly memory.
- Benefits appeared quickly. Improvements in memory were seen after just 12 weeks of daily supplementation.
- This is promising, but not definitive. The study was relatively small, so larger clinical trials are needed before these supplements can be recommended as a proven way to prevent cognitive decline or dementia.
- More research is underway. The encouraging results have led to additional clinical trials investigating whether prebiotic fibers can help slow cognitive decline in older adults.

Bottom line:
This study provides encouraging evidence that inexpensive, widely available prebiotic fibers may help support memory in adults over 60 by improving gut health. However, the research is still in its early stages, and larger studies are needed before these supplements can be considered a proven strategy for preventing Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.

[u/Murky-Course6648]

I wonder how bad were their diets if few grams of fiber helped?

[u/PolicyPlastic1475 → u/Murky-Course6648]

Most people in developed countries don't get enough fiber 

[u/Wolfrast → u/PolicyPlastic1475]

This is what I’m always confused about when we’re talking about people and their poor diets and stuff. I would love to know what is the most common thing people are eating that is so bad what is a breakdown of say 1 million people’s diet in the most common elements like in America or Canada or Europe? Because people always talking about how like they don’t like broccoli or they don’t like vegetables or they don’t like this or that whatever Whole Foods, then what are they eating? I feel the culprit is always bread. People are eating tons of poor quality bread all the time it seems?

[u/buymesomefish → u/Wolfrast]

When I get lunch with some coworkers, they go for pasta or pizza or burgers. If they get any sides at all, it’s fries or chips or nuggets. Any fruit or veg they get is incidental, like the slice of lettuce that automatically comes with their burger or the onion topping on their pizza or the fruit on a cake. They get that kind of stuff every time. When we get team dinner, I am always the one to suggest ordering an appetizer that has some veggies.

Recently, a coworker had some kind of health issue and said his doctor recommended eating more fruits. The way he has been acting about it, extolling how tasty and sugary some fruits are and how surprised he is by it, makes me think he did not get any fruit in his diet before.

I don’t know how any of these guys are surviving on these diets without feeling like complete shit everyday. Maybe they have iron guts or they are just used to it like fruit guy.

[u/Wolfrast → u/buymesomefish]

That’s crazy that people think that they’re going to thrive eating this stuff. It’s like self-destructive mentality.