Researchers from the Republic of Korea recently evaluated the effects of MH-Pro, a probiotic product by containing Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus CBT LR5 and skim milk, on cognitive function in older adults with suspected mild cognitive impairment (MCI).
Results suggested that the combination could act as a natural treatment for cognitive decline and that both high and low doses of skimmed milk offered different improvements in cognitive response and microbiome markers.
“The findings support MH-Pro’s potential as a natural, safe intervention for cognitive health, emphasizing the gut-brain axis’s role in cognitive improvement,” the researchers employed by the probiotic manufacturer Company Cell Biotech Co., Ltd, wrote in the journal Nutrients.
Probiotics may slow cognitive decline
MCI is an early stage of cognitive decline that could progress to dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the most common cause of dementia.
In the United States, close to seven million older adults are affected by dementia, with caregiving costs expected to reach US$ 360 billion by 2024.
Probiotics, known for their gut health benefits, have shown promise in improving brain health, as imbalances in gut microbiota have been linked to neurodegenerative diseases.
Additionally, previous research indicates that milk components, such as fats, proteins, casein and whey protein, can serve as substrates for beneficial gut bacteria, which produce bioactive peptides with diverse physiological effects.
“Developing a probiotic formulation enriched with milk components is essential to harness their synergistic effects on gut health,” the researchers wrote.
“This combination may enhance the gut-brain axis pathway, ultimately improving cognitive function.”
Probiotic and milk combination boosts concentration in seniors
The researchers conducted the study between September 2023 and February 2024 to assess the efficacy and safety of MH-Pro at low and high doses in adults over the age of 60 with MCI.
They enrolled 20 participants who were then randomly assigned to either the low-dose or high-dose MH-Pro group. Each MH-Pro packet contained 5 billion CFU of LR5 with either 811 mg (low dose) or 2027.5 mg (high dose) of skim milk.
All participants were instructed to maintain their usual lifestyle, diet and physical activity while avoiding additional functional foods, probiotics or dietary supplements.
Participants completed cognitive assessments at baseline and after 12 weeks, and the researchers measured changes in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), amyloid-beta, acetylcholinesterase (AChE), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), tau protein, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in serum samples.
Participants also provided fecal samples at baseline and after the intervention, and the researchers used next-generation sequencing (NGS) and metagenomic analysis to examine gut microbiota composition.
Results showed that the MH-Pro high-dose group experienced a significant improvement in concentration and orientation, while the low-dose group demonstrated significant improvements in naming and delayed recall.
In the low-dose group, significant total cognitive improvement was observed, and amyloid β-1 40/42 levels significantly decreased in the low-dose group, suggesting positive cognitive-related biomarker changes.
Fecal sample analysis showed that Lacticaseibacillus levels increased in the low-dose group, and correlation analysis linked higher Lacticaseibacillus abundance to improved cognitive scores.
The mechanistic action of MH-Pro’s positive influence on the gut microbiome remains unclear, the authors reported, however previous research has found that Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus enhances bioactive compound production, including SCFAs and neurotransmitters, while skim milk peptides influence gut permeability, immune responses and brain signaling pathways.
The researchers hypothesized that the combined effects of the probiotic and milk components likely improve cognitive function by optimizing gut health and reducing neuroinflammation.
They noted that future research should explore younger age groups for preventive strategies.
Journal: Nutrients. "Augmenting Cognitive Function in the Elderly with Mild Cognitive Impairment Using Probiotic Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus CBT-LR5: A 12-Week Randomized, Double-Blind, Parallel-Group Non-Comparative Study". doi: 10.3390/nu17040691. Authors: Jung, S. et al.