neurological microbiome program
Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurological disorder that affects movement, mood, and cognition.
Overview
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurological disorder that affects movement, mood, and cognition. It’s caused by the loss of dopamine-producing nerve cells in the brain, leading to tremors, stiffness, and slowed movements. In Australia, more than 100,000 people are living with PD (Parkinson’s Australia, 2023).
Common Misunderstandings
PD is not just a “tremor disease” — many people also experience constipation, depression, and sleep problems years before movement symptoms appear. Managing non-motor symptoms can be just as important as controlling tremor and stiffness.
How is Parkinson's Disease Linked to Your Microbiome?
- Gut symptoms often appear years before motor symptoms, suggesting an early gut–brain link (Houser & Tansey, 2017).
- PD is associated with gut microbiome shifts, including reduced bacteria that produce anti-inflammatory SCFAs and increased pro-inflammatory species (Scheperjans et al., 2015).
- Experimental studies suggest that abnormal alpha-synuclein protein may travel from the gut to the brain via the vagus nerve, potentially triggered or worsened by dysbiosis (Sampson et al., 2016).
- These findings are associative; whether microbiome modulation alters disease progression is still under investigation.
Been diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease?
Addressing the microbiome might help you.
The Microbiome Clinic™ offers thorough testing and tailored microbiome treatment plans grounded in science.
