Probiotics improve psychological function in chronic fatigue syndrome

Facebook Dr. Anil        Home page        AutismItsGutStupid

Wall Street Journal Best Seller Dr. M's Seven-X Plan for Digestive Health

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a chronic disorder with fatigue as predominat symptom associated frequently with chronic pain and psychological dysfunction including frequent headaches, anxiety, and depression and sleep problems. Some of the bodily dysfunctions associated with chronic fatigue syndeome include weakness, dizziness, and rapid heart rate with palpitations, poor appetite and irregular bowel function.

Is It Leaky Gut or Leaky Gut Syndrome?

In fact, as many as half of them suffer from irritable bowel syndrome, a gastrointestinal disorder explained by a biopsychosocial model including the involvement of gastrointestinal bacteria andbidirectional communications between the gut, the gut bacteria and the brain.

 

CFS-Probiotic study

Recently Dr. Rao and colleagues from the Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto and Clinic for Mood and Anxiety Disorders in Toronto, Canada examined the role of probiotics administration in patients with CFS and reported their findings in the journal Gut Pathogens.

 

Wall Street Journal Best Seller Dr. M's Seven-X Plan for Digestive Health

CFS-Probiotic study design

• Randomized placebo controlled trial for 8 weeks.
• 35 subjects (27 females, 8 males participated in the study
• Subjects between 18 and 65 years of age and meeting established diagnostic criteria for CFS were included
• Subjects received 24 billion colony forming units of Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota (LcS) or a placebo daily.
• Stool samples were collected from subjects initially and at conclusion of trial 

Outcome instruments used

• Beck Depression Inventory
• Beck Anxiety Inventory

Results of CFS-Probiotic study

Probiotic treatment groups showed significant increase in fecal Bifidobacteria and lactobacillus.

• Bifidobacteria increased in 74% of probiotic group as compared to only 38% in the placebo group. 
• Lactobacillus increased in 74% subjects in probiotic group as compared to 44% subject on placebo. 
• While increase in Lactobacillus bacteria in probiotic group is to be expected because of the specific probiotic strain administered, it is remarkable that there was a concurrent increase in the Bifidobacteria as well. This is important that CFS patients have been reported to have fewer Bifidobacteria as compare to healthy subjects.

Effect of probiotic on psychological function

There was a significant improvement in anxiety scores in the probiotic group while the effects on depression scores was not statistically significant. 

 

Dr. Minocha’s comments

• The results of this study further corroborate the emerging science in support of the intestinal bacteria at the interface of gut and brain. Researchers including Dr. Phillips in 1910 and Dr. Julianelle have long speculated on the effect of probiotics on psychological function as far back as the early 20^th century.
• The results of this study are intriguing since they demonstrating that a specific strain of probiotic may have far reaching effects not just by its own interactions with the gut and indirectly with the brain but also by altering the bacterial milieu in the gut with potential to have an additive or even a multiplier effect beneficial role of probiotic administration.
• Even though were not administered, their levels rose! Similar rise in Bifidobacteria has been reported in response to administration of other probiotics like Lactobacillus plantarum 299V.   Bifidobacteria administration is known to alter neurochemicals in the regions of the brain believed to be associated with anxiety and depression. 

Wall Street Journal Best Seller Dr. M's Seven-X Plan for Digestive Health

Heartburn, GERD and acid reflux	Probiotics in IBS or irritable bowel syndrome
Stroke prevention diet	Yogurt heals kids diarrhea
When should I have a repeat colonoscopy?	Baked or broiled fish protects against abnormal heart rhythms
Could your birthday be a risk for stroke?	Irritable bowel syndrome or IBS and Chinese herbal medicine
Can restaurants help cure obesity?	Does coffee protect liver?
Does Mediterranean diet increase longevity?	Does stress cause leaky gut syndrome?
Intestinal bacteria and infantile colic	Cranberry juice versus antibiotics for urinary tract infections

 Is It Leaky Gut or Leaky Gut Syndrome?

Wall Street Journal Best Seller Dr. M's Seven-X Plan for Digestive Health

Sickness related to Gluten: How and Why?	Meat animals: Perils of using antibiotics and others drugs
Gut bugs & brain in multiple sclerosis MS	Health benefits of probiotics and prebiotics
Inflammation: Good Bad & Ugly	Added food colorsings, elimination diet and ADHD
Zinc supplements boost immune sytem and reduce respiratory infections	Turmeric: A must-have healthy spice in kitchen.
Environmental pollution: Does Proximity to Freeway Traffic Increase Risk of brain dysfunction	Food allergies and intolerance are not the same
Do cranberry and/or mannose protect against urinary tract infections or UTI	Organic foods versus conventional foods: You decide

 

 Is It Leaky Gut or Leaky Gut Syndrome?

Facebook Dr. Anil        Home page        AutismItsGutStupid