11/08/2025
๐ง Parkinsonโs may start in the gut โ patients worldwide show significant gut bacteria changes.
Scientists have uncovered a compelling link between gut bacteria, vitamin deficiencies, and Parkinsonโs disease โ raising the possibility of a simple, vitamin-based treatment.
In a study spanning patient data from Japan, China, Taiwan, Germany, and the US, researchers found that people with Parkinsonโs had reduced gut bacteria genes responsible for producing riboflavin (vitamin B2) and biotin (vitamin B7).
This shortage was tied to lower levels of short-chain fatty acids and polyamines, which help maintain a healthy intestinal mucus layer. Without that protective layer, toxins can more easily reach the intestinal nervous system, potentially triggering the chain of inflammation and protein buildup in the brain linked to Parkinsonโs.
The findings suggest that targeted supplementation of vitamins B2 and B7 could help slow or alleviate symptoms in some patients, especially if deficiencies are confirmed through gut microbiota or metabolite testing.
Earlier studies have already shown that high doses of riboflavin can aid motor function recovery in certain Parkinsonโs patients, particularly when combined with dietary changes. While the disease has multiple causes and not all patients would benefit from the same approach, this research points to a potential low-cost, low-risk intervention โ and underscores the importance of gut health and environmental toxin reduction in protecting against neurodegeneration.
Nishiwaki, H., Ueyama, J., Ito, M. et al. Meta-analysis of shotgun sequencing of gut microbiota in Parkinsonโs disease. npj Parkinsons Dis. 10, 106 (2024).
