Study of Polyphenol Supplements Derived From Flavonoids to Support Cognitive Health in Adults Age 50 and Older at Risk for Alzheimers Disease

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating how a traditional Mediterranean diet, rich in fiber and polyphenols natural compounds found in certain foods, may help prevent or delay cognitive decline in people aged 50 and older who are at increased risk of Alzheimers disease. This study focuses on how gut microbiota transform these polyphenols into neuroprotective compounds that could influence brain health and cognitive function. The study is supported by a collaboration between research institutions in the US and Ireland and aims to understand the mechanisms linking diet, gut microbiota, and brain health. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either a polyphenol supplement Juice Plus Essentials Berry Blend Capsules or a placebo supplement matched in micronutrients. The study uses a double-blind design, meaning neither participants nor researchers know who receives which supplement. The intervention lasts 12 months, during which participants take the assigned capsules regularly. Stool and blood samples will be collected at the start, mid-point 6 months, and end of the study to analyze polyphenol metabolites and microbiome changes. Throughout the study, participants will attend three clinic visits at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months for assessments including cognitive testing focused on executive function, measurements of body size and blood pressure, and questionnaires about diet and health. Stool samples will be collected at home by participants at the same three time points. Researchers will monitor inflammatory markers, bile acid profiles, and Alzheimers disease markers in blood to evaluate the effects of the supplements. The total duration of participation is about one year, with ongoing monitoring of safety and cognitive outcomes.

Microbiota Mediated Flavonoid Metabolites for Cognitive Health