Brain-First or Gut-First? Rethinking Parkinson’s Disease w/ Drs. Ray Dorsey & Michael Okun
Mark Hyman
Oct 8, 2025
Mindsip insights from this episode:
Supplement with multivitamins to counteract L-dopa's B vitamin depletion
The common Parkinson's drug L-dopa can deplete cofactors like vitamin B6, making a daily multivitamin a practical necessity for patients.
Avoid living near golf courses to reduce Parkinson's disease risk
Individuals living within one mile of a golf course have a 126% increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease.
Recognize early non-motor signs of Parkinson's in middle-aged men
Early, pre-motor symptoms of Parkinson's can include constipation, acting out dreams, loss of smell, and even new-onset anxiety in middle-aged men.
Address Parkinson's rise outpacing Alzheimer's incidence
Adjusted for age, the incidence of Parkinson's disease is rising 60% faster than Alzheimer's disease.
Recognize Parkinson's as a whole-body condition to address associated risks
Contrary to the myth that it's just a brain disease, Parkinson's is a whole-body condition that doubles the risk of melanoma and osteoporosis.
Distinguish between brain-first and body-first Parkinson's types
There are two proposed forms of the disease: a 'brain-first' type from inhaled toxins and a 'body-first' type originating from ingested toxins in the gut.
Recognize long-term toxin exposure risks for Parkinson's disease
Marines exposed to the chemical TCE at Camp Lejeune for just 25 months showed a 70% higher rate of Parkinson's 34 years later.
Advocate for policy changes to prevent toxin-induced diseases
The most effective prevention for toxin-induced diseases will come from policy changes that ban harmful chemicals, not from an individual taking a pill.
Utilize skin biopsies for early Parkinson's diagnosis
New diagnostic methods are emerging, including skin biopsies that can detect the misfolded alpha-synuclein protein also found in the brain and gut.
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