Metabolic Syndrome and Brain Function – The Role of Prebiotics

Metabolic syndrome is very common. It consists of hypertension, overweight, abnormal cholesterol and/or triglycerides, prediabetes or actual diabetes, and, often, heart disease with atherosclerosis. A recent study published in Neurology (the peer-review journal published by the American Academy of Neurology) reported some remarkable findings on this condition:

1. The bacteria mix in the colon, called the microflora, is abnormal. This, in turn, leads to damage to the wall of the gut whereby the gut becomes leaky or permeable and certain toxins and even bacteria leach into the bowel wall. Some of these move into the blood stream and cause further problems.
2. It is known that certain plant fibers, called prebiotics, stimulate the good bacteria already in the gut to grow and displace the bad ones. It seems that this then improves and even corrects the leaky gut problem.
3. A recent large study of people aged 65 and older showed that those with the metabolic syndrome had a significant decline in their mental function as measured by standard cognitive function tests (link below). Wow!

So, the metabolic syndrome not only leads to atherosclerosis and heart disease, but also to a decline in the way our brain works.

The Solution

Correct the metabolic syndrome with the standard means of weight and blood sugar control. And, correct the bacterial imbalance in the gut with prebiotics. Our Prebiotin is the premier prebiotic. Since cholesterol and/or triglyceride are always part of the metabolic syndrome, our Prebiotin Heart Health preparation is recommended.

Metabolic syndrome and cognitive decline in French elders

http://www.neurology.org/gca?allch=&submit=Go&gca=neurology%3B76%2F6%2F518#top-1

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