Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Gut microbiome: A new frontier for chronic fatigue and long COVID management
Medical Xpress / ^ | June 20, 2025 | Joanna Michalina Jurek /

Posted on 06/28/2025 8:37:24 PM PDT by ConservativeMind

Imagine living with a persistent, debilitating fatigue that no amount of rest can alleviate, coupled with a constellation of other symptoms such as brain fog, pain, and sleep disturbances. This is the reality for millions suffering from Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). Now, envision a similar struggle following a viral infection, long COVID.

Our recent review delves into a fascinating area that could hold a key: the intricate world of the gut microbiome and its profound influence on our health.

For instance, studies in ME/CFS patients indicate changes in gut composition, including a deficiency in butyrate-producing bacteria and disturbances in bacterial networks, which are linked to increased immune activation and fatigue.

We have noted that a reduced abundance of beneficial bacteria like Faecalibacterium, a key butyrate producer, is considered a potential biomarker in ME/CFS. This reduction in anti-inflammatory species, alongside an increase in pro-inflammatory Gram-negative bacteria, can worsen symptoms like fatigue, pain, and confusion.

Similarly, long COVID patients show significant alterations in gut composition and reduced microbial diversity. The reduction in short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) producers, like Eubacterium hallii and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, is also notable.

In ME/CFS, probiotic interventions have shown promising results in reducing inflammation, lowering oxidative stress, and improving anxiety/depression symptoms, cognitive function, and fatigue severity. Similarly, hospitalized COVID patients receiving probiotic supplementation have experienced reduced overall symptoms, including lowered inflammatory reactions and decreased hospitalization duration.

The use of Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota over eight weeks significantly reduced inflammatory markers in ME/CFS patients. Another probiotic protocol involving multiple strains, including Saccharomyces cerevisiae sub. Boilardii and Lactobacillus acidophilus, led to a reduction in fatigue and improvements in physical and mental conditions, as well as mood, in ME/CFS patients.

In the context of long COVID, a multistrain probiotic (VSL#3) was shown to reduce fatigue and significantly improve physical functioning.

(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...


TOPICS: Health/Medicine
KEYWORDS: bacteria; biome; covid; gitract; gut; lactobacillus; microbiome; nlz

Click here: to donate by Credit Card

Or here: to donate by PayPal

Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794

Thank you very much and God bless you.

The best way to increase existing gut bacteria that produce short chain fatty acids, as noted above, is to eat various forms of soluble fiber.

If antibiotics have wiped out families of bacteria, various probiotic preparations are available. Feed them with soluble giver and milk products, to help them grow.

The last probiotic, named VSL#3, is available online, it appears.

1 posted on 06/28/2025 8:37:24 PM PDT by ConservativeMind
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Mazey; ckilmer; goodnesswins; Jane Long; jy8z; ProtectOurFreedom; matthew fuller; telescope115; ...

The “Take Charge Of Your Health” Ping List

This high volume ping list is for health articles and studies which describe something you or your doctor, when informed, may be able to immediately implement for your benefit.

Email me to get on either the “Common/Top Issues” (20 - 25% fewer pings) or “Everything” list.

2 posted on 06/28/2025 8:38:08 PM PDT by ConservativeMind (Trump: Befuddling Democrats, Republicans, and the Media for the benefit of the US and all mankind.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ConservativeMind

Who OVER THE LAST 20-40 years is surprised that the Gut Microbiome is not a BIG DEAL?

Seriesly Peoples.....


3 posted on 06/28/2025 8:42:59 PM PDT by Paladin2 (YMMV)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ConservativeMind

Never give up the con.


4 posted on 06/28/2025 8:51:44 PM PDT by HIDEK6 (God bless Donald Trump)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ConservativeMind
“Long COVID”

LOL. Imbeciles.

EVERYTHING about “COVID” is, was, and always will be, a LIE.

5 posted on 06/28/2025 9:33:17 PM PDT by Sicon ("All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others." - G. Orwell)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ConservativeMind
Imagine living with a persistent, debilitating fatigue that no amount of rest can alleviate, coupled with a constellation of other symptoms such as brain fog, pain, and sleep disturbances.

Yep, I remember the infant, toddler and tyke stages very well. It feels like yesterday. I'm not sure I'm fully recovered even after 30 years.

6 posted on 06/28/2025 9:38:07 PM PDT by ProtectOurFreedom (“Diversity is our Strength” just doesn’t carry the same message as “Death from Above”)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ConservativeMind

Science and medicine have been foolish to ignore the gut for so long.


7 posted on 06/28/2025 10:11:50 PM PDT by nickcarraway ( )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ConservativeMind
We believe that targeting gut dysbiosis with microbial preparations represents a promising avenue for improving the management of these complex and often debilitating conditions, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for countless individuals.

An absolutely worthless study and conclusion absent analysis of the cause of microbiome compromise.

There is NO SOLUTION to many diseases/conditions without identifying the cause...just a windfall to big pharma. That includes the conditions cited here.

And certainly not in a capsule sold in a store.

8 posted on 06/28/2025 10:16:43 PM PDT by logi_cal869 (-cynicus the "concern troll" a/o 10/03/2018 /!i!! &@$%&*(@ -')
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: logi_cal869

In my experience, CFS/ME is due to a combination of two things: vitamin and mineral deficiencies, especially magnesium and Vitamin D, and atypical shingles. The remedy was the right kinds of supplements and changes in diet.


9 posted on 06/28/2025 11:47:33 PM PDT by Rockingham
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Rockingham

Exactly my point.

The “Here: Take a pill” mentality of AMA continues without end.

The epidemic of disease/conditions/impaired health will continue in spite of rfk jr’s actions because he’s not addressing key core issues.

Frankly, I’ll long be room temperature before anything might actually begin to change. It’s endemic, the conditions which are breeding the problems, woven into our economy and daily lives.

But hey: We got rid of food dyes. /s


10 posted on 06/29/2025 12:04:23 AM PDT by logi_cal869 (-cynicus the "concern troll" a/o 10/03/2018 /!i!! &@$%&*(@ -')
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: ConservativeMind

It ain’t cheap:

https://www.vsl3.com/collections/vsl-collection/products/probiotic-packets-1

Unless you get it from India:

https://export.indiamart.com/search.php?ss=vsl%203%20probiotics%20capsules&tags=res:RC4|ktp:N0|stype:attr=1-br|mtp:S|wc:4|qr_nm:gd|cs:14569|com-cf:nl|ptrs:na|mc:181124|cat:578|qry_typ:P|lang:en|rtn:0-0-0-0-0-9-1|qrd:250628|mrd:250628|prdt:250629


11 posted on 06/29/2025 2:03:44 AM PDT by Candor7 (Ask not for whom the Trump Trolls,He trolls for thee!<img src="" width=500</img><a href="">tag</a>) )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ConservativeMind

Bookmark


12 posted on 06/29/2025 2:13:36 AM PDT by Chgogal (Voting Democrat is suicidal.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: nickcarraway
Science and medicine have been foolish to ignore the gut for so long.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

The Irish, Koreans and Germans have not......they drink beer, and eat food that has been preserved by fermented milk by products such as sauerkraut, kimchee, and preserved fish.

The scientists for a longtime told us that beer and sauerkraut farts are bad. BUahahahahahaha! NOw the climate change religionists say that we must cease and desist ! NEVER !

Gassy Goodness: Exploring the Science Behind Why Sauerkraut Makes You Fart)


Traditional Fermentation Irish Food)

13 posted on 06/29/2025 2:20:56 AM PDT by Candor7 (Ask not for whom the Trump Trolls,He trolls for thee!<img src="" width=500</img><a href="">tag</a>) )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: ConservativeMind

BM


14 posted on 06/29/2025 3:18:33 AM PDT by misanthrope (Deranged, sinister, deplorable troll)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Candor7

Recent scientific articles confirm sauerkraut as beneficial for gut biome. I’m pretty sure one of those also confirms kimchee.

I haven’t found confirmation for preserved fish...I really hate pickled herring...more than I hate sauerkraut, but I’ve been eating the damned sauerkraut.

Much cheaper than a pill-diet...and it does work.

Next up...time to take another look at pickled beets.

*sigh*


15 posted on 06/29/2025 4:43:32 AM PDT by Maelstrom (To prevent misinterpretation or abuse of the Constitution:The Bill of Rights limits government power)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: ConservativeMind

Thanks
BKMK


16 posted on 06/29/2025 7:06:51 AM PDT by Faith65 (Isaiah 40:31)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ConservativeMind

Yeah, “long Covid” (snort).


17 posted on 06/29/2025 7:07:52 AM PDT by 9YearLurker
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson