At present the exact cause of Parkinson’s Disease, a terror for many older people who have had their parents suffer from this disease of mental wasting, is not known. But recent research has suggested that much like the role of the bacteria H. pylori in GERD (gastro reflux disease), there could be a bacteria connection. In this case the culprit is bacteria in the group Desulfovibrio which may promote the disease-driving clumping of alpha-synuclein protein in Parkinson’s disease. No, I don’t know what this is as well, but just hum along. This is according to a study based upon nematode worms, which they say is an animal model relevant to the human gut. The details are technical, but basically these bugs get out of balance and cause inflammatory effects including chemicals that are associated with Parkinson’s disease.
All very interesting, but what can be done about it? The details are lacking. There is little I could find beyond the sound idea of establishing healthy gut bacteria, and preventing bugs like this getting out of balance. This is done from what is now becoming common sense, a diet rich in vegetables and fruit, with adequate prebiotic fibre to fed the good guys, and things to add probiotic bacteria; these can be taken as supplements, but fermented foods like quality probiotic yoghurt will help. I will keep researching this, as my father died with Parkinson’s and it was extremely depressing. And, I dread it being my fate too, losing my memories and personality. I think this is even worse than blindness.