Microbiome

The microbiome is a collection of things like bacteria, fungi, viruses, etc. that live in and on the human body. A healthy microbiome is both diverse and large.

The microbiome is important for immune system development and regulation and plays a role in metabolism, so it’s natural that it has implications in ME/CFS. Research has shown that the gut microbiome in ME/CFS is less diverse than in healthy controls. Changes in the gut microbiome are also connected to inflammation and fatigue.

OMF’s Collaborative Center at Uppsala addressed the connection between the microbiome and ME/CFS in a publication reviewing what we can learn about the disease from what we know about critical illness. For example, following physiological insult—an injury that disrupts normal function—the gut microbiome can be altered as part of intestinal injury. This change can result in pro-inflammatory cytokine production and systemic inflammation, which may contribute to the development of ME/CFS. Read more about this connection in the publication.