THIS causes chronic fatigue syndrome?

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a serious and complex condition that we’re just beginning to scratch the surface of.

But, in my view, it’s far from a psychological disorder (even though that’s how mainstream medicine has been treating it for decades).

The truth is, CFS is a debilitating condition. It causes exhaustion so intense it can land sufferers in bed for days. And when they are able to get up, they go through their days in a state of fogginess, sensitivity, and crushing fatigue.

Plus, in the decades that I’ve been helping CFS sufferers reclaim their lives, I’ve seen people lose jobs, marriages, friendships, and more because of this disease. That’s largely because those who don’t have it fail to see it as a real disease.

Well, finally, research is helping us shed some light on the physiological workings of CFS. And a recent study points to perhaps the strongest connection of all…

A gut feeling

Researchers at Cornell University found that people with CFS have very different gut bacteria than those who don’t. (This makes sense, considering one of the many effects of CFS is gastrointestinal distress.)

Of course, the findings not only pointed to diversity (those with CFS had greatly reduced bacteria diversity)—it also revealed differences in the types of bacteria.

In fact, the species of bacteria known to fight inflammation were noticeably lacking in CFS sufferers.

Now, here’s where it gets really interesting…

The researchers also looked at blood samples and discovered increased inflammation markers in those with CFS. How is that connected to the gut?

Well, those inflammation markers likely got into the blood from the intestines. And it all comes down to an intestinal problem I’ve warned you about before: leaky gut.

The technical name is “intestinal permeability,” and it occurs when the junctions that control what can pass through the small intestine’s lining don’t work properly. The result? Substances that are meant to be excreted (waste and toxins, for example) instead pass into the bloodstream.

This can lead to a constellation of symptoms, including some of those seen in CFS—aches, pains, abdominal cramps, and more…

But it also triggers an immune response, as the body reacts to bacteria in the bloodstream.

Two simple steps

The link between CFS and the gut microbiome makes perfect sense. And it offers a super simple way to fight the disease—at the source.

That boils down to two simple steps:

1. Improving the diversity of the gut microbiome
2. Repairing a leaky gut

And luckily, I can help guide you do both.

Tune back in to Reality Health Check tomorrow, where I’ll share my suggestions for helping you to restore intestinal health, whether or not you suffer from CFS. (Keep an eye on your inbox!)

Source:

“Chronic fatigue syndrome is in your gut, not your head.” ScienceDaily, 06/27/2016. (sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/06/160627160939.htm)