PD and the Gut; Gut Bacteria

You may have heard the term “microbiome” or discussions around gut bacteria when reading about Parkinson’s disease. So, what’s the relevance?

In recent years, there has been growing research into the impact that our gut, or digestive system, has on the rest of our health and well-being. This has also been investigated in conditions like Parkinson’s Disease.

Healthy gut bacteria play a role in digesting food, absorbing vitamins, nutrients and medications, and strengthening the immune system. It is also now understood that the gut helps in making and processing chemical messengers that can impact mood regulation, brain function, and inflammation in the bowel and throughout the body.

Research now shows differences between gut microbiome in people living with PD compared to those without. While this ongoing research may be in its early stages, it appears to be a rapidly expanding area of investigation with growing implications for understanding how Parkinson’s Disease develops.

Stay tuned for part 2 of Parkinson’s and the Gut series – Constipation

References:

Lubomski, M., Tan, A. H., Lim, S. Y., Holmes, A. J., Davis, R. L., & Sue, C. M. (2020). Parkinson's disease and the gastrointestinal microbiome. J Neurol, 267(9), 2507-2523. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-019-09320-1

Yemula, N., Dietrich, C., Dostal, V., & Hornberger, M. (2021). Parkinson's Disease and the Gut: Symptoms, Nutrition, and Microbiota. J Parkinsons Dis, 11(4), 1491-1505. https://doi.org/10.3233/jpd-212707