Researchers find chronic fatigue syndrome linked to gut health

(NaturalHealth365)  Chronic fatigue syndrome has mystified conventionally trained healthcare providers for years.  This condition is marked by debilitating fatigue after just normal amounts of exertion.  This fatigue also isn’t alleviated by getting extra bed rest.  The diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome requires a long list of tests to determine a wide variety of underlying health issues like digestive problems, infections, and heavy metal toxicity (to name a few).

The cause of chronic fatigue syndrome is rarely just ‘one thing’ and almost always needs to be addressed on an individual basis.  However, new evidence indicates that chronic fatigue syndrome may be strongly linked to poor gut health and, in particular, the overall environment of the gut microbiome.

The time is NOW to demystify chronic fatigue syndrome

A new study published in Frontiers in Immunology investigated the potential involvement of the gut in fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.  The study found that both groups had higher levels of certain markers in their blood associated with gut problems compared to healthy individuals.

Similarly, Cornell researchers have identified key biological markers related to chronic fatigue syndrome in gut bacteria and inflammatory microbial agents in the bloodstream.  A study published in the journal Microbiome detailed how the research team was able to accurately diagnose chronic fatigue syndrome through blood work and stool samples.

The results showed that bacteria levels in the gut microbiome of chronic fatigue sufferers aren’t normal.  This, in turn, contributes to inflammatory and gastrointestinal symptoms.  The detection of a biological abnormality provides clear evidence that chronic fatigue syndrome is NOT just psychological in nature.

In the study, one group with chronic fatigue syndrome and a control group without were both assessed in terms of the microbial DNA and bacteria in their stool samples.  In affected patients, the bacterial diversity was greatly reduced, making the gut microbiome less than ideal.

A leaky gut could explain gastrointestinal symptoms and heightened immune response

There were also fewer anti-inflammatory bacterial species present in chronic fatigue syndrome patients.  Researchers detected inflammation in the blood that was linked to a leaky gut and intestinal issues, allowing bacteria into the bloodstream.  Bacteria in the blood trigger the immune response, and this could play a role in the symptoms that characterize chronic fatigue syndrome.

Researchers were already aware that an overactive immune system contributes to chronic fatigue syndrome.  Other symptoms include joint and muscle pain, migraines, fatigue even after sleep, and gastrointestinal issues.  Post-exertional malaise is another condition related to chronic fatigue syndrome, in which some individuals require weeks of recovery time after just a minor amount of exertion.

These results pave the way for a noninvasive diagnostic procedure and hope for a better understanding of the nature and cause of this mysterious disease.  The assessment and treatment of poor gut health in chronic fatigue syndrome could serve as a powerful complement to other noninvasive techniques.  Steps such as improving the diet and using probiotics or dietary fibers could assist in treating this disease more effectively.

Researchers admit that they are not sure if the altered gut microbiome is a cause or a consequence of chronic fatigue syndrome.  Either way, these results point to the importance of fixing leaky gut, especially in those showing symptoms of chronic fatigue.

Sources for this article include:

NIH.gov
Microbiomejournal.biomedcentral.com
News.cornell.edu
Sciencedaily.com
Medicalxpress.com

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