New Study Finds Parkinson’s Disease May Begin in the Gut
2024 JAMA Research Supports What Integrative Orthomolecular Medicine (IOM) Has Long Suspected and Practiced
A 2024 JAMA Research (1) Supports What IOM Has Long Suspected and Practiced
Parkinson’s disease (PD) has long been classified as a neurodegenerative disorder that originates in the brain, particularly in the dopamine-producing neurons of the substantia nigra. But a study published in JAMA Network Open in March 2024 suggests that the true origin of Parkinson’s may lie in the gut.
🔍 What Did the Study Find?
Researchers analyzed data from 9,350 individuals without a prior history of Parkinson’s disease, focusing on their gastrointestinal health. The key finding was striking:
People with upper gastrointestinal mucosal damage (such as ulcers or inflammation in the esophagus, stomach, or upper small intestine) had a 76% higher risk of developing Parkinson’s disease later.
Full study here
The authors concluded that individuals with upper GI mucosal damage warrant greater vigilance for future Parkinson’s disease risk.
The study also echoes mounting evidence that digestive symptoms often precede motor symptoms in Parkinson’s by several years, including:
Chronic constipation
Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
Nausea, bloating, indigestion
These may represent early warning signs that neurodegenerative processes could already be underway in the gut.
🧬 The IOM Perspective: Parkinson’s Is a Systemic Disease, Not Just a Brain Disorder
In Integrative Orthomolecular Medicine (IOM), we have long maintained that Parkinson’s disease is not solely a brain disease, but rather the result of chronic systemic imbalance—including gut dysfunction, toxic overload, nutritional deficiencies, chronic inflammation, and mitochondrial damage.
This new JAMA study strongly supports what we’ve been saying and practicing in IOM for years.
✅ The IOM Framework for Understanding Parkinson’s Disease
Root Issue Description Leaky Gut Mucosal barrier damage allows endotoxins, microbes, and food particles into the bloodstream, triggering inflammation. Systemic Inflammation Chronic low-grade inflammation crosses the blood-brain barrier, impairing neurons and glial cells. Toxin Accumulation Environmental toxins (heavy metals, pesticides) accumulate in nervous tissue and mitochondria. Mitochondrial Dysfunction Energy failure in neurons due to lack of key nutrients (B vitamins, magnesium, CoQ10, etc.). Microbiome Imbalance Dysbiosis alters immune signaling and neurotransmitter metabolism along the gut-brain axis.
🛡 How IOM Recommends Reducing Parkinson’s Risk
1. Optimize Diet and Metabolism
Adopt a low-carb or ketogenic diet to:
Reduce systemic inflammation and insulin resistance
Starve pathogenic gut bacteria and yeast
Promote ketone production, which supports brain energy and mitochondrial function
Practice intermittent fasting to:
Stimulate autophagy, helping remove damaged gut and brain cells
Enhance stem cell regeneration in the intestinal lining
Improve insulin sensitivity and reduce oxidative stress
2. Repair the Gut Lining
Support the intestinal barrier with:
L-glutamine – primary fuel for intestinal cells and mucosal regeneration
Collagen peptides & bone broth – rich in glycine and proline, key amino acids for tissue repair
Vitamin C – essential cofactor for collagen synthesis and mucosal healing
B vitamins (especially B2, B6, B9, B12) – support cell regeneration, methylation, and energy metabolism in gut lining
Vitamin D3 – modulates immune function and promotes tight junction integrity
Zinc – critical for epithelial repair and anti-inflammatory signaling
Probiotics – restore healthy microbiota, enhance barrier function, and reduce inflammation
Avoid gut irritants such as:
NSAIDs
Alcohol
Refined seed oils (e.g., soybean, canola)
Ultra-processed and high-sugar foods
3. Reduce Toxic Load
Test for and eliminate heavy metals, glyphosate, and other environmental toxins
Use glutathione, NAC, alpha-lipoic acid, and binders to support detoxification
4. Support Mitochondria & Neuronal Health
Supplement with CoQ10, PQQ, acetyl-L-carnitine, B1, B12, magnesium
Optimize sleep, stress, and sun exposure
5. Engage in Regular Movement
Exercise enhances BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) and neuroplasticity
🧩 Final Thoughts: From Discovery to Action
The 2024 JAMA study is important not only because it identifies a new Parkinson’s risk factor, but also because it validates a foundational truth in IOM:
🟢 Chronic diseases like Parkinson’s don’t start in isolation—they begin with long-standing imbalances in the gut, metabolism, immune system, and environment.
True prevention and healing require more than symptom management or dopamine replacement. They demand an integrative, systems-based approach that restores barrier integrity, nutrient sufficiency, detox capacity, and mitochondrial resilience.
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Goldmine of info. Thank you so much 🙏