(NaturalHealth365)  One of the most promising areas of personalized medicine is the continued research on gut microbiology and its pivotal role in human health and longevity science, especially as it relates to Parkinson’s disease.

For example, groundbreaking research at the University of Helsinki Institute of Biotechnology in Finland published findings in EBioMedicine that the gut microbiota of Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients is significantly correlated with disease progression.  Additionally, a 2023 review in Translational Neurodegeneration highlights the profound influence of gut microbiota on PD, summarizing microbial changes, clinical relevance, and the therapeutic potential of targeting the gut microbiota in PD management.  Compared to the control group of relatively healthy individuals, those with PD have vastly different gut bacteria.

Parkinson’s disease can be triggered by poor digestive health, research suggests

This is yet another important study that contributes to the not-to-be-ignored notion that when the bacteria in our gut are not well or thriving harmoniously, the stage is set for chronic disease.  I cannot stress enough the importance of securing gut health at an early age to help create a more protected epigenetic landscape.

Now that this discovery has been made, researchers endeavor to understand how paying closer attention to gut microbiology in younger patients potentially predisposed to Parkinson’s may play a crucial role in eventually helping to prevent the disease from manifesting.

How gut health influences neuromuscular capabilities

Researchers are investigating how gut bacteria may affect motor and non-motor symptoms of Parkinson’s.  The Helsinki research team has found constipation to be an important non-motor symptom that often “precedes the onset of motor symptoms by years.”

Lead researcher, neurologist Dr. Filip Scheperjans noted:

“Our most important observation was that patients with Parkinson’s have much less bacteria from the Prevotellaceae family; unlike the control group, practically no one in the patient group had a large quantity of bacteria from this family.”

While researchers have not determined why this is the case, they are following study participants to discover if gut microbiology changes and if potential changes can improve prognosis.

So, what exactly is Parkinson’s disease?

Parkinson’s is diagnosed in over 50,000 Americans each year.  It is characterized as a degenerative central nervous system issue that affects dopamine receptors and their relationship to movement.  Later in the disease, thought and behavioral problems may arise.

There are many diagnostic tools available to assess gut bacteria function and identity.  While many of these tests can be purchased online, they should be chosen under the supervision of your holistic healthcare provider.  He or she will help you choose which test is most sensitive to your personal needs.

We know that over 80 percent of the immune system lives in the gut.  Modern environmental influences such as contaminated water and poor food quality, pollution, disease states, and emotional stress can alter gut bacteria function.

Choosing a multi-strain, non-GMO probiotic will help populate your digestive system with the bacteria essential for a thriving immune system.  Studies have also shown the favorable benefits of probiotics on arthritis, diabetes, cardiovascular health, and neurological health.

The importance of understanding your epigenetic landscape and future research

While a genetic mutation can occur at any point in life, we are usually born with it.  A mutation doesn’t necessarily spell trouble; it simply means that the gene may be operating at an altered state.

Performing genetic testing may be a liberating way to stave off future diseases.  Discovering a genetic predisposition for something as significant as Parkinson’s can help researchers and holistic healthcare providers create the most personalized approach to wellness, including taking clues from the bacteria living in your gut.

Simply put, mapping your gut microbiome and giving your digestive system the attention deserved could help prevent a host of health concerns, including Parkinson’s and other debilitating conditions.

Sources for this article include:

NIH.gov
NIH.gov
Wiley.com
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NIH.gov
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NIH.gov