Episode # 9
The Alzheimer's Solution Revolution
#9—Modifiers of the Gut-Brain Axis in the Risk for Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease
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EPISODE 9
Summary and Audio
The Gut-Brain Axis—what does that connection represent?
Well, the gut-brain connection is often described as a bidirectional highway that is linked to many cause and effect health consequences, and many studies have explored the impact of the gut environment and microbiome on brain health in that gut-brain dynamic.
Indeed, the role of the gut-brain axis is a significant factor in the risk for numerous health disorders throughout life, and it can have substantial implications on your body-brain health as you age.
For example, numerous studies have examined the role of gut health and disorders such as small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and their consequences on brain health that includes mood and mental health disorders.
Additionally, significant research that links SIBO and pro-inflammatory disorders such IBD in the risk for cognitive decline and dementia has been accruing now for well over two decades—and, I have been following that science since the 1990s and to this very day.
In today’s podcast, I’ll be sharing about the findings of a few studies that investigated aspects of the gut-brain axis with regard to the risk for cognitive decline and dementia in aging.
One such study, a substudy of CARDIA titled Association of the Gut Microbiota With Cognitive Function in Midlife, it was determined that ” gut microbial community composition, was significantly associated with cognitive scores in an analysis of middle-age CARDIA participants,”
The parent CARDIA study (Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults), was initiated in 1985-86 for the purpose of “examining the development and determinants of clinical and subclinical cardiovascular disease and their risk factors.”, from young adulthood into middle age.
Since its inception, the parent CARDIA study has investigated the role of several risk factors that affect cognition and brain health in aging including cardiometabolic disease (diabetes, heart disease, obesity) which is highly associated with an increased risk for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease in aging.
There are two main findings that I focus on in this podcast with regard to the CARDIA substudy (Association of the Gut Microbiota With Cognitive Function in Midlife) that were significant modifiers of the gut-brain axis and cognitive performance:
• gut bacteria associated with SIBO and it’s association with the risk for cognitive decline, and the therapeutic role of probiotic strains and therapy for cognitive health, and
• short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) which are beneficial metabolites produced by healthy fermentation of resistant starches—a fiber that functions as a prebiotic.
I also briefly review the findings of a few studies on several probiotic strains and the neuroprotective benefit of probiotic therapy in modifying the risk for type 2 diabetes and late-onset Alzheimer’s disease.
Please listen in to hear the rest of the gut-brain axis story!
Top Takeaways
* The Gut–Brain Axis: A bidirectional communication system with profound effects on cognition, mood, and neurological health.
• Lifelong Observance: The assessment and therapy of a gut microbiome health program is not a one-time effort; it requires a lifelong vigilance and support that shapes healthy aging and brain resilience.
• Gut Disorders & Cognitive Heath: Chronic conditions like small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) drive systemic inflammation molecules, which contribute mightily to mood disorders, and the risk for cognitive decline, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease.
• Microbiome Diversity Matters: A diverse microbial community supports brain health, while reduced diversity correlates with cognitive decline.
• Key Gut Microbial interventions: Akkermansia and other probiotics strengthen gut and blood brain barrier integrity; harmful species like Sutterella and Klebsiella promote inflammation and neurodegeneration.
• Barrier Integrity: A “leaky gut” combined with a compromised blood brain barrier allows gut endotoxins to fuel neuroinflammation cascades.
• The Infectious Theory of Alzheimer’s Disease: numerous studies implicate unhealthy gut bacteria and fungal microbes (e.g., Candida), and viral pathogens in neurodegenerative processes.
• Short-Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs): Beneficial metabolites of resistant starches that enhance gut barrier function, brain energy metabolism, vascular health, and Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) expression.
• Diet as a Lever: Fiber-rich, whole-food diets rich in resistant starches foster a brain-protective microbiome, while refined carbohydrates and high-sugar diets fuel dysbiosis, and the risk for vascular dementia and late-onset Alzheimer’s disease (LOAD).
• FODMAP (Fermentable, Oligo-saccharides, Di-saccharides, Mono-saccharides And Polyols) sensitivities: Not all fibers are tolerated equally; individual responses highlight the need for personalized dietary strategies.
• GV-971, a seaweed-derived prebiotic drug approved in China, showcases the significance of targeting gut-driven inflammation and gut derived amyloid in the risk for LOAD.
• Probiotics & Prebiotics: Both demonstrate neuroprotective benefits; resistant starches and probiotic strains such as Akkermansia and Lactobacillus plantarum are promising interventions for cognitive and metabolic health.
• Gut Health Signals: Symptoms like bloating, chronic digestive upset and bowel movement issues, fatigue, and brain fog may indicate a brewing dysbiosis and should not be ignored.
• Mind–Gut Connection: The microbiome influences not only cognition and memory, but also mood regulation, anxiety, and emotional health.
• Functional Health Testing: Advanced gut and metabolic tests can identify gut health and microbiome imbalances early, allowing for targeted interventions for gut and brain health.
• Actionable Steps: Prioritize a diverse, fiber-rich diet, consider targeted prebiotic and probiotic support, monitor gut health regularly, and seek professional guidance for individualized care.
Epidsode 9
Timestamp Highlights
In this Episode
[01:12] – Introduction to the Gut–Brain Axis topic of this show.
[01:53] – Personal Story: My early gut health struggles and how they shaped my path in functional medicine.
[03:03] – Clinical Lessons: Insights from patient care and the importance of functional lab testing for gut-related bacterial and yeast overgrowth patterns.
[04:23] – Gut Disorders & your Body-Brain Health: How Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO), Intestinal Bowel Disease (IBD), and leaky gut intestinal permeability) contribute to chronic inflammation, mood disorders, cognitive decline, and dementia risk.
[05:43] – Intro to The CARDIA substudy (Association of the Gut Microbiota With Cognitive Function in Midlife), that investigated the role of gut bacteria and short chain fatty acids derived from gut fermentation of resistant starches to cognitive health.
[07:33] Main takeaways from the CARDIA substudy linking gut microbial community composition with cognitive scores in midlife adults.
[09:06] – Beneficial vs. Harmful Bacteria: Akkermansia as a protective species versus proinflammatory strains such as Sutterella, Klebsiella and Methanobrevibacter which have several adverse gut health issues associated with them.
[10:51] – Gut endotoxins (e.g., lipopolysaccharides) and the linkages between a leaky gut & a leaky blood brain barrier
[13:57] – The Infectious Theory of Alzheimer’s—toxic gut bacteria, yeast, and systemic viral infections and their role in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease
[14:26] – Short-Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs), Prebiotics, and Resistant Starches: Butyrate and other SCFAs from resistant starches are significantly factors in metabolic health, and function as neuroprotective metabolites.
[19:45] – Caveat!—FODMAP (Fermentable, Oligo-saccharides, Di-saccharides, Mono-saccharides And Polyols) sensitivities: The role of FODMAP-related foods and supplements in individuals with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
[21:40] – Prebiotic Therapy for Alzheimer’s Disease? China’s approval of GV-971, a seaweed-derived prebiotic drug trial showed a protective benefit from neuroinflammation, and toxic tau and beta-amyloid protein accumulation.
[22:45} – The role of gut microbiota-derived amyloid protein that cross the blood brain barrier and contribute to toxic beta-amyloid aggregations.
[24:17] – Probiotic Studies and Evidence: Akkermansia muciniphila, Lactobacillus plantarum, and multi-strain probiotic supplements shown to improve cognitive and metabolic health.
26:58 – The importance of gut microbiome health assessments dysbiosis, assess microbiome balance, and maintain long-term gut health.
28:35 – Closing & Next Episode: Wrap-up and preview of Episode #10: Why women have a two-fold higher risk for Alzheimer’s disease, and the role of hormones such as estrogen in that potential risk.
Please listen in!
Ralph Sanchez, MTCM, CNS, D.Hom
BrainDefend®
www.facebook.com/TheAlzheimersSolution
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