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E. coli in the gut may fuel a 'chain reaction' leading to Parkinson's, early study suggests

Live Science
Summary
Nutrition label

81% Informative

The lower digestive tract hosts many microorganisms, collectively called the gut microbiome.

In people with Parkinson's disease, the balance of microbes in the gut shifts.

E. coli can use nitrate for fuel, and in the process, it turns it into nitrite.

Nitrate reacts with iron, adding oxygen, or "oxidizing" it.

The oxidized iron then oxidizes dopamine, causing it to clump.

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Nicoletta Lanese is the health channel editor at Live Science and was previously a news editor and staff writer.