New Study Shows a Certain Yeast is Beneficial for Alleviating Pain and Fatigue in MS Patients
A small clinical trial revealed significant benefits for patients with multiple sclerosis who used Saccharomyces boulardii probiotic for four months. The study compared a specific probiotic to a placebo for symptoms associated with multiple sclerosis and showed that the probiotic helped alleviate pain and fatigue after four months. Multiple sclerosis (MS) can cause a range of symptoms that can greatly impact quality of life by damaging myelin, which affects the nerve signals traveling to and from the brain and spinal cord.
Previous research has found that people with MS have a distinct gut microbiome that is different from healthy individuals. The microbiome is a significant component of the gut-brain axis, involving the interaction of the nervous, endocrine, and immune systems. Probiotics may improve the immune system and inflammatory responses by introducing more beneficial gut microbiota to the community. A study published in Scientific Reports showed that MS patients taking only Saccharomyces boulardii experienced decreased inflammation and increased antioxidant capacity, significantly improving quality of life scales and decreasing pain and fatigue compared to patients taking a placebo.
Saccharomyces boulardii, a “friendly” probiotic yeast, has been shown to protect against gastrointestinal diseases such as foodborne diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and side effects of Helicobacter pylori infection. It is associated with the eradication of a broad spectrum of disease-causing microorganisms, has antimicrobial properties, and can survive in various conditions.
While widely considered safe, Saccharomyces boulardii has been implicated in fungal bloodstream infections and is not recommended for those who are immunocompromised, critically ill, or using a central venous catheter. Probiotics are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and some caution should be exercised when using them, especially for high-risk individuals. Patients with MS should follow dietary guidelines recommended to the general population that’s balanced and rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein and low in processed foods, salt, and saturated fat. The gut microbiome’s role in MS offers insight into the disease’s pathology and suggests potential dietary interventions for MS patients.
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