Specific bacteria in the gut could predict a person’s risk of developing Parkinson’s disease years before symptoms appear, new research suggests.

Led by researchers from University College London (UCL), an observational study analyzed the gut microbes of 271 patients in the U.K. who had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s.

Also included in the study were 43 carriers of the GBA1 variant, which has been linked to an almost 30 times higher risk of Parkinson’s disease. These participants did not have symptoms of the disease. There was also a control group of 150 healthy participants without the gene.

STUDY FINDS EVIDENCE OF MICROPLASTICS IN BRAINS AND OTHER ORGANS

Based on fecal samples, more than one-quarter of gut microbes — bacteria and other microorganisms in the digestive tract — were in different amounts for people with Parkinson’s disease compared to healthy individuals, according to a press release.

Non-symptomatic people carrying the Parkinson’s gene also had microbial changes that resembled an “intermediate” stage of the disease, which suggests that microbial changes may happen prior to symptoms emerging.

Those who reported eating a more diverse and balanced diet were less likely to have microbiome patterns associated with higher Parkinson’s risk, the researchers found.

The findings, which were published in Nature Medicine, were also seen in over 1,400 participants across the U.K., Korea and Turkey, suggesting that the microbial changes are consistent across different cultures and dietary patterns.

“There is an urgent need to develop treatments that can stop or slow the disease’s progression.”

“Parkinson’s disease is a major cause of disability worldwide, and the fastest growing neurodegenerative disease in terms of prevalence and mortality,” lead author professor Anthony Schapira of the UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology said in the release.  

“There is an urgent need to develop treatments that can stop or slow the disease’s progression.”

ALZHEIMER’S RISK COULD RISE WITH COMMON CONDITION AFFECTING MILLIONS, STUDY FINDS

Patients with Parkinson’s are known to have “significant gut abnormalities,” according to Dr. Earnest Lee Murray, a board-certified neurologist at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital in Jackson, Tennessee.

One of those is severe constipation, which can occur several years before tremors and other symptoms. 

“There has long been a theory about the gut-brain axis and whether or not the pathology for Parkinson’s starts in the gut decades before stereotypical features are noted,” Murray, who was not involved in the research, told Fox News Digital.

The neurologist said the study sets the stage for additional research exploring the gut-brain axis theory, which could determine whether early pre-symptomatic treatments could prevent or mitigate the risk of developing Parkinson’s later in life.

 CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

“With an aging population that is living longer, the prevalence of Parkinson’s is increasing significantly, which underscores the importance of studies like this that attempt to prevent this debilitating neurodegenerative disease,” Murray added.

Dr. Aaron Ellenbogen, medical director of the Parkinson’s Disease & Movement Disorders Center at the Michigan Institute for Neurological Disorders, said it is not surprising that a change in the organisms living in the GI tract can be a signature of evolving Parkinson’s pathology.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

“In general, people with GBA mutations tend to have Parkinson’s symptoms evolve in a way that is more consistent with a gut-first presentation,” Ellenbogen, who also was not involved in the study, told Fox News Digital.  

Others may experience a different set of symptoms, including loss of sense of smell, before developing signs of motor Parkinson’s disease, he noted.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

“In fact, many of these people don’t develop the symptoms of constipation and REM behavior disorder until later in their disease course,” Ellenbogen said. “These people may actually have a form of Parkinson’s that starts in the brain.”

Potential limitations

There were some limitations to the study, the researchers acknowledged. Because it was observational in design, it could not prove that the microbiome changes directly caused Parkinson’s.

The researchers also noted that not everyone with at-risk microbiome profiles will develop the disease, as other genetic or environmental factors could play a role.

Additionally, differences in microbiomes across various populations could skew the results.

“To enable both the research and eventual use of such treatments, we need to develop the means for very early detection of people who will, or likely will, go on to develop the disease,” Schapira said.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

The study was funded by the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research and the UK Medical Research Council.

Fox News Digital reached out to the researchers for comment.

Use left and right arrow keys to navigate between menu items.

Use escape to exit the menu.

More than half of people over 50 have experienced hemorrhoids, according to the National Institutes of Health and other medical sources.

To help patients and providers navigate this common issue, the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) recently released updated clinical practice guidelines in the journal Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.

The update focuses on a simple approach, emphasizing lifestyle modifications over quick-fix products.

HEART DISEASE THREAT PROJECTED TO CLIMB SHARPLY FOR KEY DEMOGRAPHIC

Hemorrhoids are swollen, enlarged veins that develop both internally and externally. According to the Cleveland Clinic, they can range from a minor annoyance to a source of significant pain and rectal bleeding.

Experts estimate that one in 20 Americans have hemorrhoids that irritate them. They become more common with age.

They are also particularly common during pregnancy due to increased pelvic pressure, though these cases can usually be managed with conservative symptom care.

One takeaway from the AGA update is that a promising treatment for hemorrhoids is often found in the pantry rather than the pharmacy. The experts labeled increased fiber intake as a “reasonable first-line therapy.”

By softening the stool and increasing its bulk, fiber reduces the need for straining, a culprit behind hemorrhoid flare-ups.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER

Most Americans are nowhere near the recommended daily fiber intake.

The USDA Dietary Guidelines recommend 22 to 28 grams for women and 28 to 45 grams for men, but data suggest that 90% of women and 97% of men fall short.

The AGA highlighted that restroom habits are also a contributing factor.

In an era where many people take their smartphones into the bathroom, prolonged sitting and straining can lead to increased pressure. The updated guidelines recommend avoiding long sessions that exacerbate symptoms.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HEALTH STORIES

People may reach for sitz baths or topical creams at the first sign of discomfort, but the AGA says there is limited data to support their long-term effectiveness.

The guidelines also warn against the overuse of topical steroids. While they can reduce inflammation, using them for more than two weeks can cause the skin to thin and become more irritated.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ

While lifestyle changes are important, the AGA emphasizes that a proper diagnosis is vital. Because rectal bleeding can sometimes be a symptom of more serious conditions, a physical exam is recommended before beginning any treatment plan.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

For persistent or severe cases, patients may need office-based procedures or surgical intervention.