Bacterial Infections And Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Fight Infections with Probiotics

People who suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome tend to be more susceptible to bacterial infections than those in the general population. Bacterial infections are sometimes proposed as a possible cause of chronic fatigue syndrome. These include such infections as tick-borne bacterial diseases such as Lyme disease, Q fever and Rickettsia as well as other bacterial infections such as the sexually transmitted disease chlamydia, brucella and mycoplasma. Sometimes food-borne bacterial infections are believed to cause CFS and these include such conditions as E coli, Campylobacter jejuni, salmonella, Clostridium botulism, shigella, cholera and ciguatera. But that is not all. Other known food-borne bacterial infections include Listeria monocytogenes, toxoplasma, and Yersinia enterocolitica.

There really is such a thing as good bacteria and good bacteria is especially beneficial for those who suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome as it strengthens the functioning of the digestive system and the end result is less digestive related problems. Good bacteria readily live and thrives in the intestines and the vagina where they protect against the invasion of and growth of bad bacteria that can cause infections and disease. Good bacteria also serves another useful function- it creates lactase which is an enzyme found in the body that makes it possible for lactose or milk sugar to be broken down into simple sugars that the body can digest. The term "lactose intolerant" describes individuals whose bodies do not produce the enzyme lactase and therefore could greatly benefit from taking a probiotic supplement.

Taking a Lactobacillus Acidophilus supplement is also recommended after taking a supply of antibiotics to get rid of an infection because not only do antibiotics get rid of the infection causing bacteria but they also kill off some good bacteria as well. Supplements of this probiotic can help replenish the supply and balance the good and the bad bacteria to prevent another problem from starting.

Probiotics encourage the immune system to work as well as possible when you are healthy and when you become sick, it can help to relieve a variety of health concerns, everything from colon and liver cancer to indigestion and diarrhea. Sufferers of CFS can become even more severely affected if a bacterial infection sets in so to help prevent this, look to a probiotic.

Lactobacillus Acidophilus aids in the production of the B vitamins folic acid, niacin and pyridoxine while the digestive process is taking place and cholesterol is reduced in the blood when there are plenty of good bacteria around. Yeasts such as Candida albicans that are responsible for vaginal yeast infections in women are decreased when Lactobacillus Acidophilus is plentiful in the human body.

Lactobacillus Acidophilus can be found in yogurt that contains live bacterial cultures (always make sure it states that on the label as some brands have little if any bacterial cultures included), and milk that is enriched with Acidophilus. Lactobacillus Acidophilus can also be consumed as a supplement and it can be purchased either in the alternative health food section of a grocery store or at a health food store. Preparations of Lactobacillus Acidophilus consist of liquid or dried cultures of bacteria that are living substances. The preparations can be purchased as freeze-dried capsules, granules or powders.