Probiotics Relieve Anxiety in Patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome!



Studies from the past few years have strengthened the idea that the gut can regulate brain function.  Last year, Rao examined if Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota, a probiotic, could alter mood-related symptoms in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. During the study, patients took the probiotic for two months. The researchers found a significant rise in Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria strains in the gut of patients taking the probiotic verses those taking placebo. In addition, the treated patients reported a significant decrease in anxiety.


A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study of a probiotic in emotional symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome. Gut pathogens, Vol. 1, No. 1. (2009), 6, doi:10.1186/1757-4749-1-6 by A. Venket Rao, Alison C. Bested, Tracey M. Beaulne, et al. http://www.citeulike.org/user/kimberlykramer2015/article/11854806

Intestinal Integrity with the Probiotic Bifidobacteria.

Hsieh found in a recent study that certain strains of Bifidobacteria reduce epithelial barrier disruption in the intestines. It is believed that intestinal barrier dysfunction leads to a number of diseases including inflammatory bowel disease. In this study, the author found that the actions on TNF-a were achieved by the whole Bifido cell. This shows, according to Hsieh, that bacterial metabolites must be produced that act to reduce TNF-a. He also found that different strains of Bifidobacteria achieve intestinal tight junction integrity better than others. This reinforces what I said in a previous post that more research is needed  on the benefits of different strains of probiotics.


For Further Reading:
   Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Helminths and High-fat Diets







Strengthening of the intestinal epithelial tight junction by Bifidobacterium bifidum Physiological Reports, Vol. 3, No. e12327. (16 March 2015) by Chen‐Yu Hsieh, Toshifumi Osaka, Eri Moriyama, et al