Perhaps it’s no surprise, then, that the microorganisms in probiotics are being investigated as a potential treatment for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). A recently published systematic review2 of 22 studies gives us a bird’s-eye view of the progress researchers have made in this area so far. While it’s exciting to see probiotics being used and tested against severe conditions like AD, science still has a ways to go when it comes to validating these early findings. There’s an interesting path ahead, as research has yet to meaningfully examine related factors like the effect of prebiotics on AD. Plus, it’s always encouraging to have studies reconfirm the idea that supporting a healthy gut promotes our body’s ability to prevent and fight disease, which functional and integrative medicine doctors have been asserting for decades. “An interdisciplinary approach to investigate the interactions between host and microbiota could potentially lead to a strategic advance in treatment and prevention of AD in future,” writes Witteman. The research on the benefits of probiotics for diseases like AD is still emerging, but there are plenty of reasons to consider probiotics as a key part of your health tool kit right now. Not all probiotic supplements are created equal. Choosing a high-quality probiotic vetted by experts will ensure you’re getting the most bang for your gut (and spending your hard-earned money on something that actually works). Here are nine clean, effective probiotics to look into.
