If you’re living with Parkinson’s disease, you’ve likely heard about the importance of detoxing—removing toxins like heavy metals, mould, or pesticides to support your healing.
But here’s something many people (and even practitioners) overlook:
You should never start detoxing until your gut is healed.
In fact, healing a leaky gut is one of the most important first steps for reducing brain inflammation, protecting dopamine, and preventing detox from doing more harm than good.
Let’s break down why.
What Is Leaky Gut—and Why Does It Matter in Parkinson’s?
Your gut lining is like a smart filter. It decides what gets into your body and what stays out. But when that lining becomes damaged (a condition called leaky gut), it allows toxins, bacteria, and undigested food particles to slip through into your bloodstream.
This triggers widespread inflammation, including in your brain—and that’s where things get serious for Parkinson’s.
How Leaky Gut Affects Parkinson’s Symptoms
When your gut is inflamed and leaking, it can:
- Release LPS (lipopolysaccharides)—toxic substances from gut bacteria that inflame the brain
- Increase neuroinflammation, worsening motor and cognitive symptoms
- Over-activate your immune system
- Interfere with dopamine production and protection
And if you start detoxing before fixing your gut, these toxins can recirculate, causing flare-ups, fatigue, and brain fog.
Why You Shouldn’t Detox With a Leaky Gut
Detoxing mobilizes toxins from your tissues. But if your gut barrier is damaged:
- Toxins may leak back into your body rather than exiting properly
- Inflammation increases
- You may feel worse, not better
Think of it like taking out the trash with holes in the bag—you’re just spreading the mess.
The Best Ways to Heal Leaky Gut (Especially for Parkinson’s)
Here’s what you can do to seal your gut, reduce inflammation, and prepare your body for safe detox. First, stop consuming anything causing leaky gut. This includes alcohol (ALL alcohol causes it) and gluten. Avoid dairy, sugar, and highly processed foods. Stay away from preservatives, emulsifiers, and additives. Avoid aspartame, MSG, and food dyes. Certain medications, such as NSAIDS like ibuprofen, can cause leaky gut. Reflux medications (proton pump inhibitors) might also contribute. However, never stop any medications without your doctor’s permission. If you have reflux, work on the causes and slowly reduce your medication under doctors supervision. In your next consultation with Lisa, discuss natural supplements that can help with pain or reflux.
1. Seal the Gut Lining
There are various nutrients that help repair and protect the gut wall including:
- L-Glutamine – Fuels gut cells and promotes healing
- Zinc carnosine – Supports gut lining regeneration
2. Calm Gut Inflammation
Inflammation in the gut can spread to the brain. These herbs and nutrients help soothe:
- Aloe vera extract (inner leaf only) – Soothes and protects
- Slippery elm or marshmallow root – Coat and calm the lining
- Curcumin or other anti-inflammatory herbs – Anti-inflammatory for gut and brain
- Omega-3 fatty acids – Reduce systemic inflammation
3. Rebuild a Healthy Microbiome
Your gut bacteria play a huge role in brain health and inflammation:
- Probiotics – Spore-based (like Bacillus subtilis) are great for sensitive systems
- Prebiotics – Gentle fibres like acacia or PHGG (partially hydrolyzed guar gum) feed good bacteria
- Fermented foods – Add in slowly if tolerated but dont take yet if you have severe histamine issues (sauerkraut, kimchi)
4. Use Gentle Binders to Capture Toxins
Binders help mop up toxins in the gut before they leak into your bloodstream:
- Toxaprevent
- Matrix Phase Detox Powder
- Enterosgel
- Chia seeds soaked for 8 hours
Discuss with Naturopath Lisa what is the best in your personal case.
5. Support Detox Pathways
Make sure your body is eliminating toxins through:
- Pooping (daily!)
- Peeing (stay hydrated. Approx rule is 35mls per kilo of body weight OR your weight in pounds halved in ounces)
- Sweating (Epsom salt baths, saunas, light exercise)
- Breathing (deep breathing helps release toxins via lungs)
- Dry skin brushing / Lymphatic Glove Self Massage (help move the toxins)
- Bitter foods to help stimulate bile flow (rocket / arugula, endive, radish, coriander, parsley, dandelion greens, artichoke)
- Fibre, fibre, fibre to help bind and remove toxins. Beans & legumes being the highest fibre foods e.g. lentils, chickpeas, kidney beans, white beans, black beans.
6. Support Detox Organs (Once the Gut Is Strong)
Once your gut lining is healthier and you’re having regular bowel movements, you can begin gently supporting your liver and cellular detox pathways. There are various supplements and it always depends on your individual case.
Focus on nutrients and herbs that nourish, not overwhelm:
- NAC (N-acetylcysteine) – Boosts glutathione (your master antioxidant) and supports both liver detox and gut repair
- Milk thistle – Protects liver cells and encourages bile flow (key for toxin elimination)
- Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) – Helps recycle antioxidants and supports mitochondria and blood sugar regulation
- Sulforaphane (from broccoli sprouts) – Activates your body’s detox genes via the NRF2 pathway; reduces oxidative stress and inflammation in both the gut and brain
My Favourite Supplements For Gut Repair & Detox
| Supplement | Key Ingredients |
|---|---|
| GI Revive Powder | Contains gut healing and anti-inflammatory nutrients such as L-Glutamine , zinc carnosine, slippery elm, aloe vera, marshmallow, quercetin and more. |
| Toxaprevent* | Binder of heavy metals, mycotoxins from mould |
| Matrix Phase Detox | Chlorella, spirulina, milk thistle, broccoli sprouts, glutamine. An alkalising, detox drink. |
| Gut Synbiotic Powder | Prebiotic probiotic fibre powder with spore probiotics and low reactive fibre PHGG. Excellent for constipation and gut microbiome health. |
🚨 TWO CRITICALLY IMPORTANT POINTS! 🚨
- MEDICATIONS CAN BE AFFECTED BY SUPPLEMENTS
If you are on medications, you MUST check with Lisa or another practitioner for contra-indications before taking any of these supplements. Some supplements for instance can slow down or speed up the rate at which you process a medication. Some supplements need to be taken at least 2 hours away from medications. Dont go self prescribing!
- GO LOW AND SLOW
Never rush into taking the full dose on the label for any supplement that has a detoxifying effect. This includes binders, liver supplements, NAC, milk thistle, chelators and many more.
Always start with a quarter of the dose and make sure you do not react. Going too strongly can detox you too fast, exacerbate your symptoms and set you backwards.
*Toxaprevent can be purchased from New Zealand via a practitioner prescription from Lisa. Please contact Lisa for her to set up for you or discuss at your next consultation.
✅ CHECK IN WITH LISA
Remember to check in regularly with Lisa to review your detoxifying supplements / binders, dose, stopping, starting them, switching them, etc. You should never go longer than 8 weeks without an appointment. Ideal is anywhere between 4, 6 or 8 weeks depending on your individual situation and stage of the healing journey.
Please book a 15 minute, 30 or 1 hour telehealth appointment.
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