Do You Suffer from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome? Your Gut Microbiome May Be Out of Balance

Do You Suffer from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome? Your Gut Microbiome May Be Out of Balance

Do you experience the following?

  • Finding it difficult to do everyday activities due to feeling extremely tired all the time
  • Still feeling exhausted after resting or sleeping
  • It takes you a long time to recover strength after a physical activity
  • Trouble with sleeping, such as waking up frequently during the night
  • Difficulty in thinking, memory, and concentration
  • Headaches
    • width= Photo: YouTube/Biology Boon
  • Joint or muscle pain
  • Sore throat
  • Flu-like symptoms
  • Feeling dizzy or sick
  • Fast or irregular heartbeats (heart palpitations)

These are the symptoms of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), with 2.5 million Americans afflicted before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Now, with nearly 26 million Americans suffering from Long COVID, more people have been diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome due to similarities in symptoms.

width= Photo: YouTube/Biology Boon

Yes, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome often follows after a viral infection, but experts can't still explain how the disease works and how it could be treated.

However, two recent studies funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have discovered that changes in the gut microbiome may be the reason behind ME/CFS.

“The microbiome has emerged as a potential contributor to ME/CFS. These findings provide unique insights into the role the microbiome plays in the disease and suggest that certain differences in gut microbes could serve as biomarkers for ME/CFS,” explained Vicky Whittemore, Ph.D., program director at NIH’s National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

width= Photo: YouTube/Biology Boon

In one of the studies with Brent L. Williams, Ph.D., as senior author, the researchers were able to analyze key differences in microbiome diversity, metabolic pathways, quantity, and interactions between species of gut bacteria. Data were taken from a geographically diverse cohort of 106 people with ME/CFS and 91 healthy controls.

They found that "people with ME/CFS had abnormally low levels of several bacterial species compared to healthy controls, including Faecalibacterium prausnitzii (F. prausnitzii) and Eubacterium rectale." These good bacteria are responsible for the production of a short-chain fatty acid called butyrate, which is vital in maintaining gut health.

Meanwhile, as species of butyrate-producing bacteria decreased in people with ME/CFS, the researchers also observed that there were increased levels of nine other gut bacteria species, including Enterocloster bolteae and Ruminococcus gnavus, in this particular group. These harmful bacteria have links with autoimmune disorders and inflammatory bowel diseases.

width= Photo: YouTube/Biology Boon

Based on these findings, imbalances in the 12 bacteria species that were identified by Williams and his colleagues could be used as biomarkers for ME/CFS classification for a more accurate diagnosis.

On the other hand, Julia Oh, Ph.D., associate professor, and Derya Unutmaz, M.D., professor, in collaboration with other ME/CFS experts, conducted another study "involving 149 people with ME/CFS who had been diagnosed within the previous four years (short-term) or who had been diagnosed more than 10 years ago (long-term) and 79 healthy controls."

Based on analysis, the short-term group showed less microbial diversity with lower levels of several butyrate-producing species, including F. prausnitzii. Meanwhile, the long-term group had a gut microbiome similar to the healthy controls, but they suffered from worse ME/CFS symptoms and serious metabolic issues.

width= Photo: YouTube/Biology Boon

Indeed, even though the gut ecosystem is able to recover over time, OH told National Geographic that their findings regarding the long-term group "could suggest that short-term changes to the microbiome contribute to long-term dysfunction in the immune system."

And yet, despite the fact that more research is needed, the studies have given hope for possible treatments through probiotics or diets that are microbiome-focused. Some people have even started making lifestyle changes, including consuming fermented foods and avoiding red meat.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTRDQOZGneg
Doris de Luna

For more than 20 years now, I’ve been devoting my heart, energy, and time to fulfilling my dream, which – many people may agree – is not among the easiest aspirations in life. Part of my happiness is having been able to lend a hand to many individuals, companies, and even governments as an investigative journalist, creative writer, TV director, and radio broadcaster.


At home, I spend my free time learning how to cook various cuisines. Tiramisu, chocolate mousse, and banoffee pie are my favorite desserts. Playing with our dogs, Mushu and Jerusalem, is also a special part of my day. And, of course, I read a lot – almost anything under the sun. But what really makes me feel alive is meeting people from various walks of life and writing about their stories, which echo with the tears and triumph of an unyielding spirit, humanity, and wisdom.

Back to blog

Help Animals That Need Medical Care

100% of your donation will fund medical care for pets in need!

1 10
View all