Forgetting Things? The Surprising link between Digestion and Memory
KGK Science is looking for volunteers with self-reported memory issues to take part in a Health Canada-approved study testing the effects of a natural supplement on memory and gut health.
As the population ages, there has been increasing interest in maintaining mental processes and preventing cognitive decline. Mental processes such as learning and memory fall under the domain of cognitive function and are critical for problem solving, everyday functioning and quality of life. Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) refers to unfavorable changes in cognitive function and includes self-reported memory problems. For example, self-reported episodic memory problems, a type of long-term memory that involves recalling personal experiences and events, tends to decline with age without the presence of objective cognitive deficits. SCD is considered an important marker of cognitive health because it is associated with developing objective mild cognitive impairment and dementia. Identifying individuals that may be at high risk of developing cognitive decline can lead to the modification of lifestyle and diet with the goal of preventing or delaying cognitive decline.
Your gut (the part of your body that digests food) and your brain are connected — they send messages back and forth. This connection is called the gut-brain connection. The tiny organisms living in your gut, called the gut microbiome, play an important role in this. Keeping your gut healthy may help keep your brain working well too.
As we get older, our bodies make fewer digestive enzymes — these are natural substances that help break down food. Taking digestive enzyme supplements, like lipases, may help improve digestion and support a healthy gut microbiome. This, in turn, could be good for both your body and your brain.
The objective of this study is to investigate the safety and efficacy of Lipase Thera-blend consisting of lipase from Candida rugosa and lipase from Rhizopus oryzae and Lipase Thera-blend + tributyrin on memory in a of healthy adults with self-reported memory problems compared to placebo
What’s Involved?
- 3 clinic visits over ~3 months
- Memory and health questionnaires
- Blood and stool samples
- Use of a natural health product or placebo
- Daily supplement for 12 weeks
Total time commitment: ~12 weeks
Benefits to you:
- Help Advance science around memory, aging, and gut health
- Receive close monitoring by health professionals
- Get first access to promising health innovations
- Compensation for your time ($700, for full completion of study)
Participants will be compensated $700 for their time.
Your Safety Comes First
This study is Health Canada-approved and reviewed by an independent ethics board. All participants are carefully monitored throughout the study.
To be Eligible for This study You Must be:
- Are 30–79 years old
- Have noticed memory difficulties (like forgetting names or misplacing things)
- Are generally healthy
- Are not currently diagnosed with dementia or major cognitive impairment
- Are not pregnant or breastfeeding
- Are willing to visit the research clinic in London, Ontario
Have any questions about this study?
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