What Your Gut Has to Do with Parkinson’s

Interest in the gut microbiome and its potential role in Parkinson’s disease (PD) continues to grow. Before exploring the latest research, it’s helpful to understand what the microbiome is, the role it plays in overall health, and why researchers are studying its connection to Parkinson’s. In this episode, we speak with Dr. Lisa Deuel from the University of Vermont Medical Center about what researchers currently know, and don’t know, about the relationship between the gut and Parkinson’s. She explains the gut-brain connection and discusses common gastrointestinal issues experienced by people with Parkinson’s, such as constipation and gastroparesis (limited ability to empty the stomach). She wraps up by sharing practical strategies to support gut health. Follow and rate us on your favorite podcast platform to be notified when there's a new episode! Let us know what other topics you would like us to cover by visiting parkinson.org/feedback. 00:00 Introduction 00:47 Meet Dr. Lisa Duhl 01:21 What is the gut microbiome? 04:32 How the Parkinson's microbiome differs 05:28 Gut-first vs. brain-first Parkinson's theories 07:31 Can gut health affect Parkinson's symptoms? 09:14 Probiotics and constipation 09:18 Fecal transplants and Parkinson's research 11:30 Common gastrointestinal symptoms in Parkinson's 13:11 Why constipation is often overlooked 13:50 Constipation and gut motility 15:12 Practical tips to improve gut health 16:41 Probiotics, diet and exercise recommendations 16:42 Are at-home gut microbiome tests worth it? 18:29 The future of gut microbiome research in Parkinson's 20:19 Parkinson's Foundation resources and Helpline