According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 1 million people in the U.S. suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome, a condition that includes many debilitating symptoms in addition to extreme fatigue. Probiotics, generally a cocktail of "good" bacteria that are thought to aid in intestinal health, may bring a measure of relief from fatigue symptoms.
Fatigue and Digestion
Some researchers have discovered an apparent connection between intestinal disorders and fatigue. According to Shaheen E Lakhan and Annette Kirchgessner, scientists at the Global Neuroscience Initiative Foundation, chronic fatigue syndrome patients have a high incidence of irritable bowel syndrome, a digestive disorder. In fact, current evidence suggests that the balance of micro-organisms in the intestines, among other things, contribute to the development of chronic fatigue syndrome.
How Probiotics Help
For your digestive system to operate properly, your intestines must contain balanced levels of healthy bacteria. The presence of these probiotics limits harmful bacteria, which can spread throughout your body if left unchecked. According to Jacque Butler, Ph.D., "Toxins from harmful gut bacteria are an underlying cause of chronic fatigue syndrome." After reducing the impact of dangerous bacteria, probiotics may help your body to more effectively absorb nutrients from the foods you eat, which can also aid in relieving the symptoms of fatigue.
Varieties and Availability
"Good" bacteria first got attention due to their presence in yogurt. In addition to yogurt with its traditional levels of of probiotics, varieties are now available that are infused with an additional supply of the healthy organisms. Oral probiotic capsules are also available and can contain multiple forms of bacteria or one specific organism. The micro-organisms that are normally referred to as probiotics are lactobacilli, bifidobacteria and streptococci, in addition to some varieties of mold and yeast.
Other Benefits
In addition to relief from general symptoms of fatigue, probiotics may bring numerous other benefits. Because low levels of "good" bacteria may have an adverse effect upon the areas of the brain that are responsible for hormone production, probiotics may help restore some emotional balance to those suffering from depression. Probiotics can also help alleviate many symptoms from various digestive disorders, such as gastrointestinal inflammation and irritable bowel syndrome, both of which have been connected to mental and emotional health, according to the website Healthy Aging Review.
Warning
Chronic fatigue syndrome, its development and symptoms are only partially understood. Therefore, the diagnosis and treatment of this disorder should be conducted by an experienced health care professional. Additionally, decisions involving diet, including the use of supplements such as probiotics, can have a drastic effect upon your health and should therefore be made under the direction of a physician or a registered dietitian.
