The Gut Microbiome
What is the gut microbiome?
The gut microbiome is made up of the bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms that live inside our bodies.
Why do we care about microbiomes inside our body?
Bacteria live inside your digestive system and are called the gut microbiome.
Your microbiome helps you digest your food and keeps you healthy but sometimes it can make you sick.
The gut microbiome is also affected by the food you eat and the medicine you take.
A healthy microbiome is not harmful and does not make you sick.
How is the brain linked to the gut microbiome?
The microbiome has been linked with conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, obesity, diabetes, and brain disease.
The nutrients and chemicals they produce enter the blood stream and can reach the brain. The brain directs your digestion through the nervous system.
Scientists now believe that the brain also reacts to signals sent from the gut and its bacteria. A disruption of this relationship may lead to health issues.
Why do gut microbes matter for Parkinson's disease?
Many Parkinson’s disease patients suffer from digestive disorders, mainly constipation.These problems often occur decades before the disease is diagnosed.
Some researchers have suggested that Parkinson’s disease indeed starts in the gut and later moves to the brain.
From research to treatment
work for people with Parkinson’s. We don’t know a lot about the microbiomes of people with
Parkinson’s, so we hope to learn more through research.
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