Probiotics for CFS/ME: 5 FAQs Answered → BurnoutNutrition.com

Probiotics are live bacteria that may help manage some symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS/ME). Early research shows potential benefits:

Reduced anxiety: One study found taking Lactobacillus casei Shirota lowered anxiety scores in CFS/ME patients.
Lower inflammation: Another trial using Bifidobacterium infantis showed decreased levels of inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein and interleukin-6.

However, more large-scale and longer studies are needed to confirm these effects. Probiotics are unlikely to cure or dramatically resolve all CFS/ME symptoms, but some individuals may experience modest improvements in areas like:

Potential Benefits	Limitations
Anxiety	Few studies
Gut health	Small participant numbers
Inflammation levels	Short trial durations (usually 8 weeks)
	Limited probiotic strains tested (Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species)

Before starting probiotics, consult your healthcare provider, use high-quality products from reputable brands, follow dosage instructions carefully, and be patient and consistent, as benefits may take several weeks to appear. If you don’t experience improvements after a reasonable trial period, consult your doctor about alternative options.

How can probiotics help with CFS/ME?

Probiotics are good bacteria that can keep your gut healthy. A healthy gut is vital for overall well-being, including immune function, nutrient absorption, and brain health – areas often affected in chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME).

The gut and brain are closely linked through the gut-brain axis. An imbalance in gut bacteria (dysbiosis) can lead to inflammation, leaky gut, and other issues that may worsen CFS/ME symptoms. By restoring a healthy gut environment, probiotics may help relieve common gastrointestinal problems in CFS/ME, such as bloating, constipation, and abdominal pain.

Certain probiotic strains have shown potential benefits for CFS/ME:

Probiotic Strain	Potential Benefits
Lactobacillus species (e.g., L. casei, L. acidophilus)	– Reduce inflammation – Improve anxiety and cognitive function – Modulate immune system
Bifidobacterium species (e.g., B. infantis, B. longum)	– Reduce inflammation – Lower inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein and interleukin-6

For example, one study found that taking Lactobacillus casei Shirota significantly decreased anxiety levels in CFS/ME patients compared to a placebo. Another trial using Bifidobacterium infantis observed reductions in inflammatory markers.

While more research is needed, the available evidence suggests that probiotics may be a helpful addition for managing CFS/ME symptoms by addressing gut dysbiosis and its effects on the body and brain.

What Probiotics Are Recommended for CFS/ME?

Probiotic Strains for CFS/ME

When choosing probiotics for CFS/ME, look for strains that research shows may help manage symptoms. Some key strains include:

Lactobacillus species like L. casei and L. acidophilus – May help reduce inflammation, improve mood and brain function, and regulate the immune system.
Bifidobacterium species like B. infantis and B. longum – May help lower inflammation and inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein and interleukin-6.
Lactobacillus helveticus – A strain that may have anti-inflammatory effects and improve gut symptoms.

Using a combination of multiple strains may provide more benefits than a single strain alone.

Recommended Products

Here are some probiotic supplements containing strains that may help with CFS/ME:

Product	Key Strains	Daily Dosage	Research Support
VSL#3	Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Bifidobacterium longum, and others	450-900 billion CFU	Shown to reduce inflammatory markers in CFS/ME patients
Culturelle	Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG	10-20 billion CFU	May improve gut symptoms and reduce inflammation
Align	Bifidobacterium infantis 35624	1 billion CFU	Studied for reducing inflammation and improving gut health
Renew Life Ultimate Flora	Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium longum, and others	30 billion CFU/serving	Contains a blend of strains that may support overall gut health
Klaire Labs Ther-Biotic Complete	Lactobacillus helveticus, Bifidobacterium longum, and others	25 billion CFU/capsule	Includes strains studied for their anti-inflammatory effects

When choosing a probiotic, look for high potency (CFU count), strains designed to survive stomach acid, and human-sourced strains. Consult a healthcare professional, especially if you have medical conditions or take medications.

How to Take Probiotics for CFS/ME

Dosage and Timing

Start with a small dose and slowly increase to the recommended amount. This helps your body adjust and prevents side effects like gas or bloating. Many find it best to take probiotics with food for better absorption.

The typical daily dose ranges from 5-20 billion colony forming units (CFUs). However, some products like VSL#3 may suggest up to 900 billion CFUs for therapeutic use. Always follow the label instructions.

Timing is also important. Many take probiotics in the morning with breakfast. Others prefer splitting the dose between morning and evening. Experiment to find what works best for your routine and symptoms.

Consistency and Duration

Consistency is key. It can take several weeks or even months of regular use before noticing significant improvements in fatigue, brain fog, digestive issues, or inflammation.

Most studies on probiotics for CFS/ME used an 8-12 week treatment duration. However, many experts recommend long-term use to maintain a healthy gut microbiome and manage chronic conditions.

Be patient and consistent with your probiotic regimen. Take the supplements daily as directed, and track any changes in your symptoms over time. If you don’t see benefits after 2-3 months, try a different probiotic formulation or strain.

Risks and Side Effects of Probiotics

Probiotics are generally safe for most people. However, there are some potential side effects and risks to be aware of when taking them for CFS/ME.

Common Side Effects

When starting probiotics, some people may experience temporary and mild digestive issues such as:

Gas and bloating
Abdominal discomfort
Diarrhea or constipation

These effects usually go away within a few days as your body adjusts to the new bacteria strains. To minimize discomfort, start with a lower dose and gradually increase over a few weeks.

Safety Concerns

For most healthy individuals, probiotics pose little risk. However, those with weakened immune systems or serious underlying conditions should be cautious and consult their doctor before use. Probiotics may potentially cause infections in people who are:

Immunocompromised (e.g., HIV/AIDS, organ transplant recipients)
Critically ill and hospitalized
Premature infants

Additionally, probiotics can theoretically carry antibiotic-resistant genes, which could transfer to other bacteria in the gut. This risk is considered very low, but worth discussing with your healthcare provider if you have recurrent infections.

If you experience severe or persistent side effects after taking probiotics, stop using them and consult your doctor immediately.

Potential Side Effects	Safety Concerns
– Gas and bloating	– Immunocompromised individuals
– Abdominal discomfort	– Critically ill or hospitalized patients
– Diarrhea or constipation	– Premature infants
	– Antibiotic-resistant gene transfer (low risk)

Research on Probiotics for CFS/ME

Clinical Trials and Studies

A few studies have looked at how probiotics may help with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS/ME) symptoms. A 2022 review found two high-quality pilot studies:

Lactobacillus casei Shirota Study
- 48 participants took Lactobacillus casei Shirota or a placebo for 8 weeks
- Those taking the probiotic had significantly lower anxiety scores
- Their stool tests showed more Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus bacteria
Bifidobacterium infantis Study
- 35 CFS/ME patients took Bifidobacterium infantis or a placebo for 8 weeks
- The probiotic group had lower levels of inflammatory markers like:
  - C-reactive protein
  - Interleukin-6
  - Tumor necrosis factor-α
- Around 71% of those taking the probiotic had less inflammation

While promising, these studies were small and short-term. More research is needed to confirm if probiotics can help manage CFS/ME.

Limitations and Future Research Needs

The current research has some limitations:

Few studies: Only a handful of clinical trials, most with small numbers of participants
Short duration: Most studies lasted 8 weeks or less, which may not show long-term effects
Limited strains: Studies mainly focused on Lactobacillus casei and Bifidobacterium infantis
Lack of standardization: Different probiotic formulas, doses, and methods across studies
Narrow outcomes: Many studies only looked at specific symptoms like anxiety or inflammation

To better understand probiotics for CFS/ME, future research should:

Conduct larger, longer clinical trials
Test a wider range of probiotic strains and combinations
Use standardized probiotic products and treatment protocols
Assess a broader range of CFS/ME symptoms and quality of life

Summary

Potential Benefits of Probiotics for CFS/ME

Probiotics are live bacteria that may help manage some symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS/ME). Early research shows they could:

Reduce anxiety: One study found taking Lactobacillus casei Shirota lowered anxiety scores in CFS/ME patients.
Lower inflammation: Another trial using Bifidobacterium infantis showed decreased levels of inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein and interleukin-6.

However, more studies are needed to confirm these effects.

Limitations and Future Research Needs

The current research has some limitations:

Few studies with small numbers of participants
Short duration (most lasted 8 weeks or less)
Limited probiotic strains tested (mainly Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species)
Lack of standardized probiotic products and treatment protocols
Narrow focus on specific symptoms like anxiety or inflammation

To better understand probiotics for CFS/ME, future research should:

Conduct larger, longer clinical trials
Test a wider range of probiotic strains and combinations
Use standardized probiotic products and treatment protocols
Assess a broader range of CFS/ME symptoms and quality of life

Using Probiotics for CFS/ME

Probiotics are unlikely to cure or dramatically resolve all CFS/ME symptoms. However, some individuals may experience modest improvements in areas like:

Anxiety
Gut health
Inflammation levels

Potential Benefits	Limitations
Reduced anxiety	Few studies
Improved gut symptoms	Small participant numbers
Lower inflammation	Short trial durations
	Limited probiotic strains tested

Before starting probiotics:

Consult your healthcare provider, especially if you have medical conditions or take medications
Use high-quality products from reputable brands
Follow dosage instructions carefully
Be patient and consistent, as benefits may take several weeks to appear

If you don’t experience improvements after a reasonable trial period, consult your doctor about alternative options.

FAQs

Do probiotics help with chronic fatigue syndrome?

Probiotics may help manage some symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS/ME), based on early research studies. Here are the key findings:

Potential Benefits	Limitations
May reduce anxiety levels	Few studies conducted
May lower inflammation markers like C-reactive protein and interleukin-6	Small sample sizes
	Short trial durations (usually 8 weeks or less)
	Limited probiotic strains tested (mainly Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species)

While more large-scale and longer research is needed, some individuals with CFS/ME may experience modest improvements in areas like:

Anxiety
Gut health
Inflammation levels

However, probiotics are unlikely to dramatically resolve all CFS/ME symptoms. It’s worth discussing probiotic supplements with your healthcare provider, especially if you have digestive issues or inflammation.

Key Points

Early studies show probiotics may help reduce anxiety and inflammation in CFS/ME patients
Benefits were seen with strains like Lactobacillus casei Shirota and Bifidobacterium infantis
More research is needed with larger sample sizes and longer trial durations
Probiotics may provide modest improvements in some CFS/ME symptoms, but are unlikely to be a cure-all
Consult your doctor before taking probiotics, especially if you have underlying conditions

Probiotics for CFS/ME: 5 FAQs Answered

How can probiotics help with CFS/ME?