Healthy Microbiota Reduces the Risk of Alzheimer's

Giving information regarding Alzheimer's disease on the occasion of September 21: World Alzheimer's Day, Neurology Specialist Dr. Yüksel Dede pointed out that the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease increases twice every decade after 60 years of age. Spec. Dr. Dede pointed to studies showing that a healthy gut microbiota reduces this risk.

To reduce the devastating effects of Alzheimer's disease in the world and Türkiye and to detect the disease at the initial stage, September 21 has been designated as World Alzheimer's Day. Reminding that the number of dementia patients worldwide has now passed 47 million, Yeditepe University Koşuyolu Hospital Neurology Specialist Dr. Yüksel Dede said that this figure was foreseen to exceed 130 million in 2050. Indicating that different researches on the subject are ongoing, Spec. Dr. Yüksel Dede gave important information about the relationship between Alzheimer's and microbiota, which is one of the topics studied recently.

Underlining that Alzheimer's is a problem that affects the entire society regardless of gender, Spec. Dr. Yüksel Dede said, “Since women's life expectancy is higher than men's, the gender gap manifests itself, especially over 85 years of age. As a result, the rate of women in the Alzheimer's patient population over 85 years of age is higher than that of men. The prevalence of Alzheimer's adjusted to age is observed to be approximately 5 to 7 percent."

Research on Microbiota and Alzheimer's Continues

Stating that the entire ecosystem formed by many beneficial and harmful organisms such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi in our digestive system is defined as microbiota, Dr. Yüksel Dede remarked, "Studies are showing that if a person has a better microbiota, the course of their Alzheimer's disease will change or the possibility of developing the disease will decrease. In fact, It has been shown that for people with diabetes and high blood pressure who are at risk of dementia, such a risk will reduce if they pay attention to a healthy diet and their diseases are effectively treated. In this regard, it is observed that improvement in the course of the disease increases with people's educational level.”

Beneficial Bacteria Have an Antibiotic Effect

Indicating that both animal experiments and studies based on groups covering people, including Alzheimer's patients, show that having a good microbiota reduces the likelihood of developing Alzheimer's disease, Dr. Yüksel Dede gave the following information on how the microbiota affects Alzheimer's: “The abundance of beneficial bacteria has an antibiotic effect for the harmful ones. Intestinal permeability increases due to toxins produced by harmful bacteria or cell damage caused by them. Due to this permeability, the passage of harmful substances produced by bacteria in the digestive tract, taken from the outside or formed inside the canal, to other organs, especially the brain, through the intestine increases. These harmful substances that have passed into the brain trigger inflammation and cause cell damage along with cell death in the brain. Alzheimer's disease also occurs with the increase of amyloid plaques in the brain. The resulting inflammation can cause an increase and budding in these plaques. Hence, good microbiota is a positive factor as it will reduce intestinal permeability and the presence of such harmful substances in the environment. At the same time, beneficial bacteria also ensure the synthesis of certain amino acids and vitamins in our intestines. Of course, these also show a protective effect.”

Reminding that no scientific studies are showing that bad microbiota is a factor that directly triggers Alzheimer's disease, Spec. Dr. Yüksel Dede remarked, “Alzheimer's patients who have received an early diagnosis, especially before 60 years of age, usually have a genetic cause. No study directly discusses the relationship between microbiota and early-onset Alzheimer's disease or genetically transmitted Alzheimer's disease. However, if an individual with a genetic predisposition, on top of that, has a bad microbiota will negatively contribute to the course of the disease."

Have a Mediterranean Type of Diet

Recommending especially the Mediterranean-type diet, which is a fiber-rich diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables, for a healthy microbiota, Yeditepe University Hospitals Neurology Specialist Dr. Yüksel Dede said, "There are studies conducted in this field. Products rich in probiotic bacteria, such as yogurt and kefir, and plenty of fruits and vegetables can be consumed. Vitamin deficiencies should also be avoided. Vitamins B, C, and D are important for the brain. In addition, to be protected from Alzheimer's disease, it is necessary to exercise regularly and never abandon mental activities. The higher a person's educational level and the longer they continue their mental activities, the lower the likelihood of getting Alzheimer's. Even at an advanced age, it is necessary to keep the mind always fresh, for example, by learning a new language."