Figure 1. (A) H&E staining of mouse hippocampus and (B)(C)(D) Western blot analysis of tau and p-tau protein with significant differences

The gut microbiota—often called our "second brain"—is closely linked to brain health. It communicates with the central nervous system through the so-called gut–brain axis, influencing our mood, cognition, and even memory. In Alzheimer's disease patients, imbalance of the gut microbiota has been associated with disease progression.

How Does Yeast Beta-Glucan Work?

Ⅰ. Modulating gut microbiota: Yeast beta-glucan can significantly change the composition of beneficial and inflammation-related bacteria, especially by increasing beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, while reducing inflammation-associated bacteria.

Figure 2. Yeast beta-glucan increases beneficial bacteria and reduces pathogenic bacteria, restoring Aβ1–42-induced gut microbiota imbalance

Ⅱ. Increasing short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs): Yeast beta-glucan can promote the production of short-chain fatty acids by gut bacteria. These metabolites are crucial for brain health, as they can reduce neuroinflammation and improve brain insulin resistance.

Ⅲ. Improving cognitive function: Through these mechanisms, yeast beta-glucan can improve cognitive function in Aβ1–42-induced AD-like mice and reduce Aβ deposition and abnormal tau phosphorylation in the brain.

The discovery of yeast beta-glucan offers a new direction for the prevention and management of age-related cognitive impairment. As a natural, safe, and accessible dietary supplement, yeast beta-glucan may become a promising functional ingredient for protecting brain health. In the future, more research is expected to further validate its effects and translate them into clinical applications, bringing hope to Alzheimer's disease patients. Let us pay attention to gut health, start from the gut, and help protect the brain from Alzheimer's disease.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice.

References

[1] World Alzheimer Report 2018 | Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI) (alzint.org)

[2] M. Xu, X. Mo, H. Huang, et al., Yeast β-glucan alleviates cognitive deficit by regulating gut microbiota and metabolites in Aβ1–42-induced AD-like mice, International Journal of Biological Macromolecules (2018)

[3] S. Ghaisas, J. Maher, A. Kanthasamy, Gut microbiome in health and disease: Linking the microbiome-gut-brain axis and environmental factors in the pathogenesis of systemic and neurodegenerative diseases, Pharmacol. Ther. 158 (2016) 52–62.

[4] V. de J.R. De-Paula, A.S. Forlenza, O.V. Forlenza, Relevance of gut microbiota in cognition, behaviour and Alzheimer's disease, Pharmacol. Res. 136 (2018)

[5] M. De Angelis, E. Montemurro, L. Vannini, C. Cosola, N. Cavallo, G. Gozzi, V. Maranzano, R. Di Cagno, M. Gobbetti, L. Gesualdo, Effect of Whole-Grain Barley on the Human Fecal Microbiota and Metabolome, Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 81 (2015) 7945–7956.