New research reveals connections between certain gut bacteria and chronic fatigue syndrome, an ailment often connected to long COVID. Microbes in the human gut help digest food and aid nutrient absorption, key parts of overall health. Researchers have now found that if you have chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), your body likely produces high levels of immune cells directed against the toxins given off by unhealthy gut bacteria - a sign of leaky gut and a cause of inflammation. There are three general probiotic benefits which researchers believe may help in the treatment of leaky gut and chronic fatigue: 1. They increase the numbers of healthy bacteria that live in the gut while decreasing the unhealthy bacteria; 2. They improve the ability of the gut wall to act as a barrier to keep unwanted compounds out of the body; 3. They decrease your body’s own production of inflammation-producing compounds, lowering inflammation in the gut and throughout the body.[3] How to Choose a Probiotic: By taking advantage of probiotic benefits, you can help heal your leaky gut AND your chronic fatigue symptoms. But with literally thousands of probiotics on the market now, it can be nearly impossible to choose. To get the most benefit, look for a high potency probiotic with billions, rather than millions, of microorganisms. Ideally, you want to purchase the highest quality, most potent probiotic you can afford, one which uses human-sourced strains of both lactobacilli (for the small intestine) and bifidobacteria (for the large intestine) and has been proven to survive the harsh conditions of the stomach. University Health News [5] Singh PK, Chopra K, Kuhad A, Kaur IP. Role of Lactobacillus acidophilus loaded floating beads in chronic fatigue syndrome: behavioural and biochemical evidences.