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.

Evidence for Commercial Probiotics

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

Main article: Bifidobacteria

Enterogermina

Bacillus clausii

Yakult

Lactobacillus casei Shirota

DanActive

Lactobacillus casei Danone

Bioflorin

Enterococcus faecium SF 68

BioGaia

Lactobacillus reuteri produces vitamin B12

Evidence for specific strains

Bifidobacteria

Main article: 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

Lactobacillus

Main article: Lactobacillus

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

See also

• Prebiotics
• Gastrointestinal system
• Microbiome
• CFS Remission
• Ken Lassesen's model

muscle strain An injury involving a stretched or torn muscle or tendon (tendons are fibrous cords of tissue that connect muscle to bone).

muscle strain An injury involving a stretched or torn muscle or tendon (tendons are fibrous cords of tissue that connect muscle to bone).

microbiome The full collection of microscopic organisms (especially bacteria and fungi) which are present in a particular environment, particularly inside the human body.

myalgic encephalomyelitis (M.E.) - A disease often marked by neurological symptoms, but fatigue is sometimes a symptom as well. Some diagnostic criteria distinguish it from chronic fatigue syndrome, while other diagnostic criteria consider it to be a synonym for chronic fatigue syndrome. A defining characteristic of ME is post-exertional malaise (PEM), or post-exertional neuroimmune exhaustion (PENE), which is a notable exacerbation of symptoms brought on by small exertions. PEM can last for days or weeks. Symptoms can include cognitive impairments, muscle pain (myalgia), trouble remaining upright (orthostatic intolerance), sleep abnormalities, and gastro-intestinal impairments, among others. An estimated 25% of those suffering from ME are housebound or bedbound. The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies ME as a neurological disease.