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A closer look at the gut’s connection to Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer’s is characterized by alterations in the brain that include chronic inflammation, synaptic loss (loss of communication between brain cells) and death of neurons (cells that communicate actions from walking to talking, eating and thinking).
For decades, researchers have associated these changes with two markers in the brain: beta-amyloid and tau.
However, in recent years, scientists have explored a new wrinkle in Alzheimer’s research: Discovering that the gut and the brain communicate through neurons in both organs. They’ve found evidence that dysfunction in this gut-brain axis is linked to brain disorders, including Alzheimer’s.
Now scientists led by the Institute of Nanotechnology in Italy have unveiled more clues that link gut and brain neurons — and how these processes may trigger Alzheimer’s…
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Zooming in on gut dysbiosis
“There are already many studies that support that changes in the gut composition can contribute to Alzheimer’s onset and progression,” says Alessia Cedola, a researcher from the Institute of Nanotechnology in Italy and corresponding author of the published study.
Where things go wrong is when dysbiosis, an imbalance in microbial diversity, sets in. Dysbiosis allows for the prevalence of dangerous bacteria that promote inflammation, which can then result in the breakdown of the gut-brain barriers.
How is gut dysbiosis linked with Alzheimer’s? “The main hypothesis is that changes trigger the escape of bad bacteria from the gut [a condition known as leaky gut], entering the circulation, reaching the brain and triggering Alzheimer’s, but evidence is still poor,” Cedola says.
To better look at this gut-brain connection, the researchers used nano- and micro X-ray phase-contrast tomography (XPCT) to study structural and morphological alterations in the gut. This powerful tool eliminates the need for tissue manipulation.
The data found changes in cell abundance, tissue structure and organization in mice affected with Alzheimer’s. Specifically, there were relevant alterations in the gut structure and cells within the gut that, when working correctly, maintain gut health, support digestion and protect the intestinal lining from damage.
“This technique represents a real breakthrough for the thorough analysis of the gut, and it could be pivotal in early detection and prognosis of the disease,” Cedola says.
The researchers will next use XPCT to study how the gut communicates with the central nervous system and investigate the enteric nervous system and its role in Alzheimer’s.
“By gaining a deeper understanding of these processes, we hope to identify new therapeutic targets and develop innovative treatments for this devastating disease,” Cedola says.
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Support your gut’s integrity and diversity
While there is still research to be done to confirm the gut’s link to Alzheimer’s, there are already documented reasons to support the integrity of your gut lining and the diversity of your microbiome.
Both leaky gut and dysbiosis are linked to causing or worsening Celiac disease and chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, irritable bowel (the disease and the syndrome) and metabolic disorders.
Previous research has also linked leaky gut to inflammation along the brain’s right hemisphere.
Some steps you can take include:
- Following a gut-friendly diet, such as the Mediterranean diet
- Avoiding sugar and processed foods, which can negatively alter gut bacteria
- Getting plenty of prebiotics and probiotics, which you can do through diet or supplementation
- Exercise more, as it has been shown to boost gut health
If you want to get probiotics from diet, you’ll want to consume cultured dairy foods like yogurt or kefir and/or fermented foods like sauerkraut and kimchi. Prebiotic foods include chicory root, Jerusalem artichoke, dandelion greens, garlic, leeks, onions, asparagus and green bananas.
Probiotic supplements are also readily available. Look for one with multiple bacteria strains, which are more diverse and effective than single-strain varieties. Also, make sure the supplement contains 1 million to 1 billion CFUs (colony-forming units), which research shows are the minimum amount necessary to reach your intestines.
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Sources:
The gut-brain connection in Alzheimer’s unveiled with X-rays — EurekAlert!
Investigating gut alterations in Alzheimer’s disease: In-depth analysis with micro- and nano-3D X-ray phase contrast tomography — Science Advances
By Carolyn Gretton
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