The regulatory mechanism of intermittent fasting and probiotics on cognitive function by the microbiota-gut-brain axis

Intermittent fasting (IF) is an eating pattern that promotes health and cognitive improvement through periodic fasting and eating. It has been shown to enhance neuroplasticity and reduce oxidative stress and inflammation. Recent studies have demonstrated that probiotic supplementation enhances cognitive performance by modulating gut microbiota composition and increasing short-chain fatty acid production, which in turn promotes neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity. The microbiota-gut-brain axis (MGBA) is the communication bridge between gut microbiota and the brain, influencing cognitive function through the immune, endocrine, and nervous systems. The combination of probiotics and IF may exert complementary effects on cognitive function, with IF enhancing gut microbial diversity and metabolic efficiency, while probiotics further modulate gut barrier integrity and neurotransmitter synthesis. This review critically examines the interplay between probiotics and IF on cognitive function via the MGBA, identifying key mechanisms and potential therapeutic strategies that remain underexplored in current research.