Hariom Yadav’s probiotic blend shows potential in preventing cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease.
An Indian-origin researcher in the US, Hariom Yadav from the University of South Florida, has developed a groundbreaking probiotic cocktail aimed at preventing dementia, a condition that currently affects over 57 million people globally. This unique blend of probiotics targets the gut microbiome, the community of microorganisms residing in the gut, which plays a crucial role in health and disease, reported gujaratsamachar.com.
In healthy individuals, the gut microbiome consists of beneficial bacteria that contribute to overall well-being. However, when harmful bacteria and viruses disrupt this balance, it can lead to conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, the most common cause of dementia. The cocktail developed by Yadav shows promise in reversing this process.
The findings, published in Scientific Reports, are based on a study where mice were given the probiotic cocktail for 16 weeks. The mice were tested using a “water maze,” which required them to find a hidden underwater platform with the help of visual cues. The results revealed that the mice who consumed the probiotic cocktail were able to find the platform faster, suggesting improved cognitive function.
Yadav’s probiotic cocktail could become a novel therapy for reducing dementia risk and cognitive decline.
Additionally, the cocktail reduced levels of proteins that contribute to the formation of plaques in the brain, a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. It also helped lower brain inflammation and protected the blood-brain barrier, preventing harmful microorganisms from leaking into the brain.
“This probiotic cocktail could decrease the progression of Alzheimer’s and cognitive decline,” said Yadav. “We discovered that combining probiotics as a consortia gives them more power to manipulate the microbiome, shifting it from harmful to beneficial.”
Currently, Yadav and his team are working on commercializing the cocktail, with discussions underway with companies to potentially bring the product to market.
