The relationship between fibromyalgia and probiotics
When some of the bacteria from your large intestine gets into your small intestine, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) occurs. With this overgrowth of bad bacteria, toxins start to build up, causing serious inflammation which can manifest itself as fibromyalgia.
Experts estimate that as many as 8 out of 10 people with fibromyalgia also have SIBO, thus linking fibromyalgia to gut dysfunction.
Several studies have connected fibromyalgia with problems in the gut. For example: 73% of patients with fibromyalgia reported gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) being present in 30–70% of fibromyalgia patients and up to 50% of patients with fibromyalgia having functional dyspepsia (indigestion).
Up to 70% of the immune system’s activities occur in the digestive tract.
The gut microbiome is made up of millions of bacteria, some good, some bad. When the balance between the two is disrupted, it can affect the barrier of the intestinal wall and result in the symptoms related to fibromyalgia.
Probiotics are the good bacteria that line the digestive tract, reversing bacterial overgrowthand strengthening the immune system which is compromised in people with fibromyalgia.