Probiotic

Probiotics are microorganisms that are believed to provide health benefits when consumed.

Health effects

 * Some bacteria species have been shown to inhibit pathogens in the gut through competition or by producing their own antibiotics.
 * Probiotics can reduce histamines levels, or increase them.

Efficacy
Probiotics should be taken with or immediately before a meal, ideally with 1-2% milk.

Mutaflor
E. Coli Nissle 1917 (Mutaflor)

Symbioflor-2
E. Coli G1-G10 6 species

Prescript Assist
Prescript Assist is a commercial probiotic containing 28 soil based bacteria.

Miyarisan
Miyarisan is a Japanese probiotic containing clostridium butyricum, a species that consumes lactic acid and produces butyrate.

Advanced Orthomolecular Research AOR, Advanced Series, Probiotic-3
Clostridium butyricum, Streptococcus faecalis, Bacillus mesentericus

Align
Bifidobacterium infantis 35624

Culturelle
Lactobacillus Rhamnosus GG

Bifido/Maximus
Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium infantis, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus salivarius, Lactobacillus gasseri

Enterogermina
Bacillus clausii

Yakult
Lactobacillus casei Shirota

DanActive
Lactobacillus casei Danone

Bioflorin
Enterococcus faecium SF 68

BioGaia
Lactobacillus reuteri produces vitamin B12

Bifidobacteria
Cost per Billion CFU can vary from 1 cent to $1.62. A recent study found 15/16 commercial offerings in California were mislabeled (i.e. different strain than listed).

Bifidobacterium infantis 35624
One study found that 6-8 weeks of Bifidobacterium infantis supplementation reduced C-reactive protein, TNF-alpha and IL-6 levels in chronic fatigue syndrome patients. Another found that B. infantis boosted serotonin levels in the brain.

Commercial probiotics without evidence
These are likely harmful because they are known to kill E. coli that is very low in CFS patients.

Common Yogurts
Lactobacillus Acidophilus

Suspected to be effective but lacking studies
GeneralBiotics Equilibrium 115 strains - none are lactobacillus or bifidobacteria.

Typical Probiotics sold in Health Food Stores
Lactobacillus Acidophilus - often kill off the bacteria that was greatly reduced by CFS. Further unbalance the microbiome.

Megasporebiotic
Not sufficient research published

GcMAF Bravo
"“Streptococci, lactobacilli, bifidobacteria, lactococci, yeasts” - no research, no details of strains

Notable studies

 * 2018, Are probiotic treatments useful on fibromyalgia syndrome or chronic fatigue syndrome patients? A systematic review. (Abstract)
 * 2018, A Systematic Review of Probiotic Interventions for Gastrointestinal Symptoms and Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME). (Abstract)

Learn more

 * 2016, Probiotics cured my chronic fatigue syndrome (Cort Johnson, January 7)
 * 2013, A Person with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Recovers and….a Gut Series Begins
 * CFS Remission - Survey of Probiotics Responses