Alzheimer’s disease continues to be a leading cause of death in the U.S., with 1 in 3 seniors dying with Alzheimer’s or dementia — more than the number killed by breast and prostate cancers combined. While a cure has remained elusive, the connection between brain health and gut microbiota has grown clearer, and research suggests that the bacteria in your intestines may influence brain functioning and can even promote neurodegeneration. A team of Swiss and Italian researchers has taken the correlation a step further, with research showing a connection between imbalanced gut microbiota and the development of amyloid plaques in the brain; Alzheimer’s is characterized by an accumulation of beta-amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain. Proteins Produced by Gut Bacteria May Trigger Alzheimer’s The study involved a cohort of 89 people between 65 and 85 years of age. Some of them suffered from Alzheimer’s disease or other neurodegenerative diseases …