A fresh study out of Beth Israel hospital in Boston suggests your gut health could be tied to your risk for Parkinson’s disease down the road.
Researchers found patients with a history of gastrointestinal issues were significantly more likely to be diagnosed with Parkinson’s later in life.
So what’s the link? Your digestive system doesn’t just break down food – it’s closely connected to your brain through the vagus nerve. When things get out of whack in the gut, it can set off changes in the brain too.
The study looked at over 11,000 people, scoping them to check for stomach or esophagus issues. About 2,000 of them already had injuries to the lining of their upper GI tract.
Down the road, those patients with early gut damage were 76% more likely to develop Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s disease is characterized by a decline in motor functioning, leading to tremors, rigid muscles, and problems with walking and movement.
The gut injuries linked to Parkinson’s risk included ulcers, heartburn issues, or damage from taking common drugs like ibuprofen or Aleve.
For the unlucky ones who were later diagnosed with Parkinson’s, their gut problems had shown up, on average, a full 14 years earlier.
So could paying more attention to stomach issues be an important piece in solving the Parkinson’s puzzle?
“We’ve always thought about how the brain influences the gut, but we’re finally realizing the gut can also call some big shots when it comes to the brain and nervous system,” said lead researcher Dr. Trisha Pasricha.
Pasricha explained that experts are becoming increasingly convinced that at least for some Parkinson’s patients, trouble gets brewing in the gut long before they start experiencing tremors or movement issues.
She said recognizing early GI risk factors could be a game changer, opening up doors for healthier living and early interventions that may avoid the worst down the road.
Nearly 10 million people worldwide have Parkinson’s, including celebrities like Michael J. Fox and Neil Diamond.
While more research still needs to be done, the findings underscore that gut health may have implications not just for your tummy, but possibly for your brain and entire nervous system.
Taking good care of your upset stomach with healthy eating, managing stress, and avoiding meds known to irritate the GI tract could end up being protective as we age.
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