Parkinson's Disease Education Podcast

Does Parkinson's disease actually start in the gut? In this episode, I am joined by Martha Carlin, founder of The BioCollective and BiotiQuest (https://biotiquest.com/), to explore the powerful "hidden link" between the microbiome and Parkinson's. From the discovery of "concrete-like" stool in Parkinson's patients to the role of chronic inflammation and endotoxins, we dive deep into how our digestive health influences brain function. Martha shares her personal journey of seeking answers for her husband's young-onset diagnosis, leading to groundbreaking research on the "gut glycocalyx" and molecules like mannitol. In this episode (watch on YouTube) you'll learn: -Why the "gut-brain axis" is central to understanding Parkinson's progression. -The impact of environmental toxins, antibiotics, and cleaning compounds on our microbes. -How certain bacterial strains can help manage symptoms like severe constipation and anxiety. -The potential of systems-based approaches, including supplementation and lifestyle changes. Parkinson's is a whole-body condition. By looking beyond dopamine and focusing on metabolic health, we can discover new ways to empower our daily lives and maintain our sense of adventure. Here are subjects time stamped for this episode: 00:00 - Introduction to the Gut-Brain Axis and Microbiome 01:10 - Martha Carlin's Personal Connection to Parkinson's 03:12 - Examining the Evidence: Food, Water, and Chemicals 04:52 - Founding The BioCollective: Collecting Microbiome Data 05:51 - Explaining the Glycocalyx and Its Role in Parkinson's 07:55 - How Vascular Damage and Blood Pressure Link to PD 09:25 - The Impact of COVID-19 and Cleaning Compounds 12:10 - Pathogenic Bacteria and the "Concrete" Stool Mystery 15:15 - Endotoxins and Chronic Inflammation in the Gut 19:15 - Discovering Mannitol: A Potential Breakthrough Molecule 21:55 - Real-World Results: UPDR Score Improvements 23:45 - Clinical Trials: Blood Sugar and Insulin Resistance 32:30 - Managing Stress and Anxiety with Probiotics 34:10 - The Connection Between Trapped Emotions and Trauma 42:50 - Future Research: Light Therapy and Focused Ultrasound 46:15 - Closing Thoughts: Adventure After a Diagnosis This interview was sponsored by our channel members, who viewed this first as a livestream. For more members-first content, early access, and to help support this channel sign up for memberships here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0g3abv8hkaqZbGD8y1dfYQ/join  https://www.patreon.com/pdeducation  Please be sure to give support to our channel sponsors: Comfort Linen: https://comfortlinen.com/PARKINSONSDISEASEEDUCATION(15% off entire order when applying the code PARKINSONSDISEASEEDUCATION at checkout) Kizik Shoes: https://kizik.sjv.io/pdeducation Cure Hydration: https://lvnta.com/lv_XG06Rho8SSlXEq3qlV If you have products that you would like for me to review on the channel please send them here: Parkinson's Disease Education P.O. Box 1678 Broken Arrow, OK 74013 Medical Disclaimer All information, content, and material of this video is for informational purposes only and not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider.  Affiliate disclaimer: Keep in mind that links used for recommended products may earn me a commission when you make purchases. However, this does not impact what products I recommend. If I recommend a specific product it is because it has been vetted by myself or based on personal use.  #parkinsonsawareness #parkinsonsdisease #parkinsons #microbiome #guthealth #gutbrainaxis #parkinsonsresearch

Most Parkinson's treatments focus on replacing dopamine—but what if a medication could target some of the underlying disease processes instead? In this episode, we take a closer look at Fasudil, an experimental therapy that is generating interest in the Parkinson's research community. Originally developed for a completely different neurological condition, Fasudil is now being studied for its potential effects on neuroinflammation, alpha-synuclein accumulation, cellular repair mechanisms, and other pathways involved in Parkinson's disease. We'll discuss: What Fasudil is and how it works The role of ROCK inhibition in Parkinson's research Potential effects on inflammation and alpha-synuclein What animal studies have shown so far The current status of human clinical trials What people with Parkinson's should know right now While Fasudil is not currently an approved treatment for Parkinson's disease, it represents an exciting example of how researchers are looking beyond dopamine to develop future therapies that may one day slow disease progression. Help to support this channel and our efforts to educate the world about Parkinson's Disease and get access to personalized content: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0g3abv8hkaqZbGD8y1dfYQ/join https://www.patreon.com/pdeducation Please be sure to give support to our channel sponsors: Comfort Linen: https://comfortlinen.com/PARKINSONSDISEASEEDUCATION (15% off entire order when applying the code PARKINSONSDISEASEEDUCATION at checkout) Kizik Shoes: https://kizik.sjv.io/pdeducation Cure Hydration: https://lvnta.com/lv_XG06Rho8SSlXEq3qlV If you have products that you would like for me to review on the channel please send them here: Parkinson's Disease Education P.O. Box 1678 Broken Arrow, OK 74013 Medical Disclaimer All information, content, and material of this video is for informational purposes only and not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider. Affiliate disclaimer: Keep in mind that links used for recommended products may earn me a commission when you make purchases. However, this does not impact what products I recommend. If I recommend a specific product it is because it has been vetted by myself or based on personal use

Many people with Parkinson's disease experience dizziness, fatigue, lightheadedness, and even falls when standing up. One possible cause is neurogenic orthostatic hypotension (nOH), a condition related to autonomic nervous system dysfunction. In this episode (watch on YouTube), we explore Droxidopa (Northera), a medication designed to help improve symptoms of nOH by increasing norepinephrine levels. We'll discuss how it works, who may benefit, what the research shows, and important safety considerations. Episode chapters: 00:00 Introduction 02:25 What is Droxidopa and how does it work? 03:00 Why nOH matters in PD 03:30 Physiology of blood pressure regulation 05:15 How Droxidopa helps with nOH 06:10 What the research shows 06:50 Practical management strategies for Parkinson's disease 08:41 How to check if you have OH 10:00 Tying in with patient case and Conclusion For members-first content, early access, and to help to support this channel sign up for memberships here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0g3abv8hkaqZbGD8y1dfYQ/join  https://www.patreon.com/pdeducation Please be sure to give support to our channel sponsors: Comfort Linen: https://comfortlinen.com/PARKINSONSDISEASEEDUCATION(15% off entire order when applying the code PARKINSONSDISEASEEDUCATION at checkout) Kizik Shoes: https://kizik.sjv.io/pdeducation Cure Hydration: https://lvnta.com/lv_XG06Rho8SSlXEq3qlV If you have products that you would like for me to review on the channel please send them here: Parkinson's Disease Education P.O. Box 1678 Broken Arrow, OK 74013 Medical Disclaimer: All information, content, and material of this video is for informational purposes only and not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider. Affiliate disclaimer: Keep in mind that links used for recommended products may earn me a commission when you make purchases. However, this does not impact what products I recommend. If I recommend a specific product it is because it has been vetted by myself or based on personal use #parkinson #parkinsonsawareness #parkinsonsdisease #parkinsonsawareness #orthostatichypotension #droxidopa

Welcome to the 20,000 Subscriber Special! The sponsor of today's episode is Contour Design and the tremor-friendly RollerMouse Red. Be sure to use the code PDEDUCATION at checkout to receive a discount: https://lvnta.com/lv_ipnUBU2K33mzi8eRd4 In this episode (watch on YouTube), I share 20 of the most important things I've learned from working with people living with Parkinson's Disease as a physical therapist. Some are clinical observations. Some are misconceptions that need to be challenged. Others are lessons about resilience, humanity, and the incredible strength of the Parkinson's community. We talk about: • Why Parkinson's is far more than a movement disorder • The hidden world of non-motor symptoms • Tremors, freezing, festination, dystonia, and dyskinesia • Why stress and emotion can worsen physical symptoms • The complicated relationship between medication and symptom management • The neuroprotective role of exercise and physical therapy • Why Parkinson's remains misunderstood — even within healthcare • And why the people living with Parkinson's continue to inspire me every single day This episode is not meant to replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It is a conversation shaped by years of clinical experience, evidence-based rehabilitation, and most importantly, the people who trusted me to be part of their journey. Whether you are living with Parkinson's, caring for someone who is, or simply trying to understand the disease better, I hope this episode helps you feel more informed, more seen, and more hopeful. For members-first content, early access, and to help to support this channel sign up for memberships here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0g3abv8hkaqZbGD8y1dfYQ/join  https://www.patreon.com/pdeducation  Please be sure to give support to our channel sponsors: Comfort Linen: https://comfortlinen.com/PARKINSONSDISEASEEDUCATION(15% off entire order when applying the code PARKINSONSDISEASEEDUCATION at checkout) Kizik Shoes: https://kizik.sjv.io/pdeducation Cure Hydration: https://lvnta.com/lv_XG06Rho8SSlXEq3qlV If you have products that you would like for me to review on the channel please send them here: Parkinson's Disease Education P.O. Box 1678 Broken Arrow, OK 74013 Medical Disclaimer: All information, content, and material of this video is for informational purposes only and not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider. Affiliate disclaimer: Keep in mind that links used for recommended products may earn me a commission when you make purchases. However, this does not impact what products I recommend. If I recommend a specific product it is because it has been vetted by myself or based on personal use #parkinsonsawareness #parkinsonsdisease #parkinsons #physicaltherapy #neurology #lsvtbig #neurorehabilitation

Knowing what to do is only part of the challenge in Parkinson's disease. The harder part? Staying consistent. In this final episode (watch on YouTube) of our Parkinson's Communication Roadmap series, we focus on practical ways to make speech, voice, and communication exercises part of everyday life—without feeling overwhelmed.  We cover: • How to stay consistent with voice and speech practice • Building therapy into daily routines • Habit stacking and "mini therapeutic moments" (See Atomic Habits by James Clear 👉 https://amzn.to/4dZhJDV) • Functional carryover strategies that work in real life • Using music and singing as therapy • Parkinson's choirs and music-based activities • Motivation, accountability, and sustainable routines We also discuss how programs like Get LOUD! Stay LOUD! help people stay engaged through guided practice, community support, and short, manageable daily exercises. This episode is all about shifting from: 👉 "I should do my exercises" to 👉 "This is simply part of how I live." Because long-term success in Parkinson's communication doesn't come from perfection—it comes from consistency. 👥 Featuring collaboration with Sarah Awde, M.Cl.Sc. Speech Language Pathology (Get LOUD! Stay LOUD!) Sign up for Get LOUD Stay LOUD using the link. Try FREE for 30 days, and use code HYLAND50 to get 50% off your first paid month 👉 http://getloudstayloud.mn.co/users/onboarding/plans?via=michael Not sure which classes are the best fit for you? Take the class finder survey here: https://form.jotform.com/253162339857364 📌 Subscribe for more Parkinson's education, therapy strategies, and practical tools for everyday life. For members-first content, early access, and to help to support this channel sign up for memberships here:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0g3abv8hkaqZbGD8y1dfYQ/join  https://www.patreon.com/pdeducation Please be sure to give support to our channel sponsors: Comfort Linen: https://comfortlinen.com/PARKINSONSDISEASEEDUCATION (15% off entire order when applying the code PARKINSONSDISEASEEDUCATION at checkout) Kizik Shoes: https://kizik.sjv.io/pdeducation Cure Hydration: https://lvnta.com/lv_XG06Rho8SSlXEq3qlV If you have products that you would like for me to review on the channel please send them here: Parkinson's Disease Education P.O. Box 1678 Broken Arrow, OK 74013 Medical Disclaimer: All information, content, and material of this video is for informational purposes only and not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider. Affiliate disclaimer: Keep in mind that links used for recommended products may earn me a commission when you make purchases. However, this does not impact what products I recommend. If I recommend a specific product it is because it has been vetted by myself or based on personal use #parkinson #parkinsonsawareness #parkinsonsdisease #parkinsons #voicetherapy #habitstacking #speechtherapy