Effect of combined bifidobacteria supplementation and resistance training on cognitive function, body composition and bowel habits of healthy elderly subjects

Abstract

Physical exercise exerts favourable effects on brain health and quality of life of the elderly; some of these positive health effects are induced by the modulation of microbiota composition. We therefore conducted a randomised, double blind, placebo-controlled trial that assessed whether a combination of Bifidobacterium spp. supplementation and moderate resistance training improved the cognitive function and other health-related parameters in healthy elderly subjects. Over a 12-week period, 38 participants (66-78 years) underwent resistance training and were assigned to the probiotic Bifidobacterium supplementation (n=20; 1.25×10 cfu each of Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum BB536, B. longum subsp. infantis M-63, Bifidobacterium breve M-16V and B. breve B-3) or the placebo (n=18) group. At baseline and at 12 weeks, we assessed the cognitive function, using the Japanese version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment instrument (MoCA-J); modified flanker task scores; depression-anxiety scores; body composition; and bowel habits. At 12 weeks, the MoCA-J scores showed a significant increase in both the groups, while the flanker task scores of the probiotic group increased more significantly than those of the placebo group (0.35±0.9 vs -0.29±1.1, P=0.056). Only the probiotic group showed a significant decrease in the depression-anxiety scores (5.2±6.3 to 3.4±5.5, P=0.012) and body mass index (24.0±2.8 to 23.5±2.8 kg/m, P<0.001), with a significant increase in the defecation frequency (5.3±2.3 to 6.4±2.3 times/5 days, P=0.023) at 12 weeks. Thus, in healthy elderly subjects, combined probiotic bifidobacteria supplementation and moderate resistance training may improve the mental condition, body weight and bowel movement frequency.

Maslinic acid derived from olive fruit in combination with resistance training improves muscle mass and mobility functions in the elderly

“…Anthropometric and blood pressure measurements were conducted at the beginning and at the end of the intervention period, as described previously. (18) To evaluate the body composition, a bioelectrical impedance analyzer (InBody S10, BioSpace, Seoul, Korea) was used.…”

Gut Microbiota, Probiotics and Physical Performance in Athletes and Physically Active Individuals

“…Results from preclinical and clinical studies suggest that probiotic administration may have positive effects in mental responses [ 117 , 118 ]. Few studies have investigated the effects of probiotic supplementation on the cognitive outcomes of athletes or physically active subjects [ 84 , 93 , 112 ] ( Table 2 ). In a group of highly trained, elite athletes, the self-rated sense of vigor (Profile of Mood States, POMS questionnaire) was significantly increased among the probiotic group, who ingested L. helveticus Lafti for 14 weeks, compared with the placebo group, with no difference in the total mood disturbance scores between groups detected [ 84 ].…”

“…At the end of the intensive training period, significant differences in the scores related to sport recovery categories (the Recovery-Stress Questionnaire for Athletes) were detected between groups, showing that the scores of the probiotic group were more favorable compared with those in the placebo group. A training intervention performed in healthy, elderly, Japanese individuals demonstrated that a 12-week resistance training program induced beneficial effects on the general cognitive functions of both the placebo and probiotic groups [ 112 ]. The 12-week supplementation with multi-strain bifidobacteria significantly decreased overall mental state scores compared with baseline scores, with lower scores indicating lower depression and anxiety symptoms [ 112 ].…”

Suplementação com probióticos e depressão: estratégia terapêutica?

“…Outro estudo observou que os grupos que receberam iogurte probiótico ou cápsulas probióticas tiveram queda da pontuação DASS de 10.3 e 9.5, respectivamente, comprovando atuação dos probióticos em ambas apresentações para os desfechos depressão, ansiedade e estresse [29]. Inoue et al [30] avaliaram indivíduos através do questionário MoCA-J e observaram que a ingestão de probióticos promoveu melhora da pontuação total nas questões de ansiedade e depressão e aumentou a função cognitiva dos indivíduos, apesar de também observarem melhora deste último aspecto no grupo controle, ainda que com escores menores. Steenberg et al [31], por sua vez, não observaram variação nas pontuações para depressão ou ansiedade entre grupo probiótico e placebo e salientam que sua população-alvo já começou o estudo com baixa pontuação, o que é esperado para indivíduos saudáveis.…”

“…Apenas Romijn et al [34] investigaram o efeito da administração de probióticos a uma população com leve transtorno de humor e não observaram alteração nos desfechos estresse, depressão e ansiedade. Dois estudos avaliarem população idosa (acima de 65 anos), sendo que um deles suplementou apenas L. reuteri e não observou melhora nas condições dos participantes da pesquisa com o uso de probióticos [33], enquanto a outra pesquisa utilizou uma mistura de B. longum, B. infantis M-63 e B. breve, que promoveu melhora da saúde mental [30]. Tais achados mostram a importância de se avaliar o efeito de probióticos para populações específicas.…”