Daily 15p supplement ‘boosts brain function in 12 weeks and could ward off Alzheimer’s’

TAKING a cheap daily supplement could boost your brain function in just 12 weeks, scientists say.

Researchers from Kings College London (KCL) found that popping a cheap fibre supplement every day improved performance in memory tests used for spotting early signs of Alzheimer’s disease.

The study, published in Nature Communications , was carried out on pairs of twins in their 60s – one in each pair had a fibre supplement daily, while the other received placebo pills.

The structure allowed researchers to compare the health effects of taking the cheap supplement.

Over just 12 weeks, fibre-takers had higher amounts of beneficial bacteria in their guts and also performed better in tests assessing brain function, often used to spot early signs of brain-robbing Alzheimer’s.

The study’s first author Dr Mary Ni Lochlainn said: “We are excited to see these changes in just 12 weeks.

“This holds huge promise for enhancing brain health and memory
in our ageing population.

“Unlocking the secrets of the gut-brain axis could offer new approaches for living more healthily for longer.”

Foods that could also benefit

In the UK, over 900,000 people live with dementia, most of which is Alzheimer’s disease or vascular dementia.

A number of studies have sought to investigate the links between Alzheimer’s risk and diet, with two studies from 2023 suggesting that people eating more fibre had a lower risk of developing the brain robbing disease and other forms of dementia.

While those studies looked at edible fibre – in the form of foods like oat bran, beans, nuts, and some fruits and vegetables – the KCL study asked participants to up their fibre intake from taking a cheap supplement.

Researchers at TwinsUK – the UK’s largest adult twin registry
based at King’s College London – sought to understand how targeting the microbiota, the diverse community of microorganisms residing in our intestines, using two cheap plant fibre supplements inulin and FOS could impact brain function.

They also looked how the tablets might impact muscle function, as muscle loss is another condition people grapple with as they age.

Researchers gave 36 pairs of twins – 72 people in total – who were over 60 years old a placebo or the supplement every day for 12 weeks.

Neither the participants or scientists who had received what pill until the end of the experiment.

Study participants also did resistance exercises and ate a protein supplement, which was aimed at improving muscle function.

They were monitored by researchers through online questionnaires and cognitive tests.

While there was no significant difference in muscle strength between the groups, the group receiving the fibre supplement performed better in tests assessing brain function, reaction time and processing speed.

The 15p a day capsules

This included their performance in the Paired Associates Learning test, which is used to spot early markers for Alzheimer’s disease.

Reaction times and speed are important for daily living, researcher noted, as they can help people react to traffic or stop a simple trip-up turning into a fall.

Senior author Professor Claire Steves, Professor of ageing and Health at King’s College London said: “These plant fibres, which are cheap and available over-the counter, could benefit a wide group of people in these cash-strapped times.

“They are safe and acceptable too. Our next task is to see whether these effects are sustained over longer periods and in larger groups of people.” 

You can grab bottle of 90 High Fibre Blend capsules for £13.99 at Holland & Barrett- that’ll work out to about 15p a day.

You can also buy inulin powder at Holland & Barrett for £11.99, or Lamberts FOS (Fructo-oligosaccharides) supplements for £14.36 at Landys Chemist.