In today’s society, chronic fatigue has most certainly increased because of poor dietary habits, sedentary lifestyle, stress, and environmental exposures. Often those suffering from chronic fatigue can have IBS, anxiety, depression, extreme fatigue after activities and impaired cognition. Unfortunately, many other syndromes and pathologies can present in the same manner. This is why it can be a challenge to diagnose someone with chronic fatigue syndrome. In high stress states and infections, activation of the HPA axis occurs releasing inflammatory mediators and cytokines. This allows for the correlation of IBS and chronic fatigue. Evidence has demonstrated that the gut microbiota in patients with chronic fatigue were markedly altered and had lower levels of bifidobacteria and a higher number of aerobic bacteria. This can cause the anxiety and depression that a patient with chronic fatigue may experience. Some research has demonstrated a connection between viral infections such as EBV, parvovirus, and human herpes virus and chronic fatigue syndrome. Infections caused by gram negative bacteria has shown a significant increase in concentrations of IgA and IgM to the lipopolysaccharide layer of the gram negative bacteria.
Over time, our gut microbiota has evolved and adapted to our environment and stressors. Research has shown that stress diminishes Lactobacillus in the gut and allows for opportunistic pathogens to thrive. This allows for oxidative stress and inflammation. Patients with chronic fatigue have been found to have lower levels of glutathione. This will further increase inflammation and more oxidative stress. This inflammation will then affect the gut epithelium and can cause serious health consequences. Over growth of pathogenic bacteria in the gut will allow for an increase of hydrogen sulfide which can give off a “rotten egg” odor and is very toxic to humans. Patients with chronic fatigue were shown to have higher levels of hydrogen sulfide which plays a major role in the deprivation of energy in patients suffering with chronic fatigue syndrome.
Patients with chronic fatigue were also found to have impaired mitochondria. When the mitochondria are dysfunctional, ATP cannot be recycled, thus, impairing the energy required for the mitochondria to function. This will then affect the energy and stamina experienced by the patient. Deficiencies in CoQ10 can also affect the mitochondria. CoQ10 is necessary for the mitochondria to function and to produce ATP. Patients with chronic fatigue were found to have significantly lower levels of CoQ10. Unfortunately, with the increase in statin administration in today’s society, levels of CoQ10 will further be depleted. Much research still needs to be explored to completely understand the depth of the correlation associated with the brain and the gut microbiota.
I hope this has deepened your understanding of how the gut flora can influence our brain and body. Please feel free to contact me with any questions. I would be happy to help!
Until next time, I wish you peace, love and good health.
Christine Marie
New Life Wellness Center 