Parkinson's Link to Gut Bacteria Hints at Unexpectedly Simple Treatment

Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder affecting about 10 million people worldwide.

A 2024 study in npj Parkinson's Dis. (Nishiwaki et al.) links gut microbes to Parkinson's and reports lower riboflavin and biotin levels.

Riboflavin (vitamin B2) and biotin (vitamin B7) decreases are associated with changes in gut bacteria.

These vitamin decreases, and shortages of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and polyamines, are tied to reduced intestinal mucus protection and related intestinal permeability.

Researcher Hiroshi Nishiwaki has proposed supplementation with riboflavin and biotin as a potential simple therapy.