By Dr. Linda J. Dobberstein, DC, Board Certified in Clinical Nutrition
Chances are you know someone with Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s, or another chronic neurodegenerative disease. Have you ever wondered how and why these disorders develop and what you can do to recognize them early on? Why are these disorders increasing so rapidly in the U.S. and globally? Vast amounts of research in the last decade shows us that there is a direct correlation with brain health and your gut microbiome that leads to the development of neurodegenerative diseases. Here are some recent discoveries and things to consider!
Alzheimer’s disease is the fifth leading cause of death in the U.S., according to the 2024 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report. An estimated 6.9 million Americans 65 and older live with this neurodegenerative disorder. By 2060, this number is expected to more than double. For Parkinson’s disease, an estimated 1.2 million individuals in the U.S. will be diagnosed by 2030.
The report gives an outline of the further toll. “Between 2000 and 2021, deaths from stroke, heart disease, and HIV decreased, whereas reported deaths from Alzheimer’s disease increased more than 140%. More than 11 million family members and other unpaid caregivers provided an estimated 18.4 billion hours of care to people with Alzheimer's or other dementias in 2023.
Average per-person Medicare payments for services to beneficiaries aged 65 and older with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias are almost three times as great as payments for beneficiaries without these conditions, and Medicaid payments are more than 22 times as great. Total payments in 2024 for health care, long-term care, and hospice services for people aged 65 and older with dementia are estimated to be $360 billion.”
Other reports such as The Global Burden of Disease Study (1990-2017) show that the incidence of neurological disorders have exploded in recent years. In the U.S., the three most common disorders are stroke, Alzheimer’s and other dementias, and migraine-tension headaches. Other common issues include Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy/seizure disorders, meningitis, encephalitis, etc. In Europe, neurological disorders are the third most common cause of disability and premature death. These studies do not include Covid-19 related neurological issues.
The toll and cost of neurological diseases to you, your family, our country, and globally are enormous. Chances are, there is someone in your family affected by Alzheimer’s or other neurodegenerative disorder.
Neurodegeneration and Gut Microbiome Health
The goal is to find the connections between brain health and aging well. In the last 10 years, research on how the gut microbiome affects brain health has exploded along with the rising rates of neurodegenerative diseases and substantial connections have been found. A disturbed gut microbiota has been found in a number of central nervous system disorders such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, Huntington’s disease, ALS, the optic nerve and spinal cord disorders, and others.
Gut Symptoms Occur Before Neurodegenerative Changes
You are probably wondering how neurodegenerative changes with memory loss, cognitive decline, negative mood changes, tremors, balance difficulties, etc. relate to gut health. Research shows us that changes in the gut microbiome occur first with brain symptoms occurring later in the disease process.
Before the full onset of Alzheimer's disease, preclinical changes have been identified with gut microbiome changes. Results often show high levels of the gut bacteria Methanobrevibacter (methane producing bacteria related with constipation) and decreased SCFA production amongst other changes. This leads to increased neuro-immune inflammation, increased toxins, changes in intestinal permeability, and bowel motility changes.
Symptoms of Parkinson’s disease also start with gastrointestinal changes. Issues with chronic constipation, dry mouth, difficulty with defecation, as well as a change in the sense of smell occur often 10-20 years or more before the onset of tremors, a shuffling gait, and loss of facial expression. Other gut changes in Parkinson’s disease include increased intestinal permeability, decreased SCFA producing bacteria, increased levels of Akkermansia, and other disturbances in the gut microbiome balance.
Medical treatment for Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and other neurodegenerative disorders predominately focuses on the brain with the amyloid beta or alpha-synuclein. There is validity to this approach, but treatment results are limited at best. It is “disease care”.
If you have gastrointestinal symptoms that persist beyond the occasional upset, work with your health care practitioner to evaluate your gut health and make wise, empowered changes with your diet and lifestyle. Lab tests are commercially available that evaluate the gut microbiome, measure SCFAs, intestinal permeability, etc.
Biohacking Your Gut-Brain Connection
Your daily health, lifelong wellness, and health span depend on you making good choices and habits to withstand the challenges of 21st Century or “biohacking”. The most important foundations that you want to “biohack” for brain and gut health include your diet, physical activity, and sleep quality.
This foundational triad requires that you make intentional positive choices which deeply impact your gut microbiome and your brain. Ignoring or compromising the quality and support for these basics over the course of years and decades deeply impacts your quality of life today and your future.
Think about your lifelong dietary pattern. How are you doing? Your kids and parents? A diet with a rainbow of colors from whole foods provides the foundation. However, a rainbow of colors from Fruit Loops, fruit leathers, Pop Tarts, Raman noodles, a burger with ketchup, a piece of lettuce and fries, mac ‘n’ cheese, and the occasional bite of broccoli does not feed your gut microbiome and brain well. The Western diet is a high calorie, nutrient poor diet with glyphosate and other toxic chemicals. Compare this diet to the Mediterranean or Scandinavian Diets that consist of whole foods, fermented vegetables and kefirs, fibers, whole grains, fruits and vegetables without the concerns glyphosate and GMO foods. Where do you fit in this spectrum of choices?
Glyphosate and Gut Microbiome
Since the 1970’s, the amount of pesticides and herbicides used on food crops and soils has exploded. An estimated 200 million pounds of glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, is applied in the U.S. each year.
In 2022, research showed that at least 80% of study participants ages 6 years and older had increased glyphosate residues in their body compared to prior measurements. Glyphosate disrupts your gut microbiome via the shikimate pathway. This in turn affects your nutrient absorption and creates a dysbiotic environment in your gut. These subtle effects occur even if you don’t feel it or know about it. Even if you have a clean lifestyle and diet, you are still being exposed because these chemicals are in the air and water supply.
In 2014, I wrote the article GMOs, Roundup and Sunscreen Linked with Diminished Brain Resiliency. I believe these issues still exist today and affect young and old alike with a decline in nervous system function and health that can lead to neurodegeneration.
Make deliberate choices to improve your diet, physical activity, sleep, and gut microbiome for “health” care. Implement a whole foods diet at least 80-90 percent each day. If you have a treat or junk food, consume it with other healthy foods.
Your gut microbiome thrives on a wide variety of whole foods, especially fruits, vegetables, beans, legumes, and grains that create resistant starches. Eating the same 10 to 15 types of foods every week shrinks your healthy gut microbiome allowing dysbiosis to occur. Expand your food choices. Choose organic foods from your local farmers as much as possible. Choose food rich in fibers and resistant starches, fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables, sprouted grains, beans, and legumes, healthy fats from walnuts, avocados, chia, flax, cold water fatty fish, organic free-range hens and pasture raised animal proteins, etc. Avoid foods that “negatively hack” your health. Use quality nutritional supplements for deeper biohacking support.
The impact of chronic low level daily amounts of these chemicals in the food, water, and air supply, nutrient poor foods, high stress, sleep deprivation and sedentary lifestyles has led to a decline in the neurological and overall health of America. It will continue unless a groundswell movement of changes occurs – starting with you and your family. Do the best that you can each day! When you have a bad day, do what you can to get back on track. Focus on the big picture and celebrate success!
Your gut microbiome depends on a lifetime of feeding it well. So does your brain. Be deliberate. Your genetics do not fully determine your destiny. Your lifelong neurological and overall health is deeply impacted by your diet, lifestyle choices, and a happy and healthy gut microbiome. Share this information with others!
