Ever since chronic fatigue syndrome — or myalgic encephalomyelitis — was identified in the 1980s, its cause has been a mystery.
But new research suggests it might arise from a disorder of the gut or, specifically, the microbes that live there.
A study in the journal Cell Host & Microbe revealed that patients with chronic fatigue syndrome have lower levels of certain types of bacteria in the gut compared with healthy people.
One of these bacteria is critical to the health of the gut, another produces short-chain fatty acids (the building blocks of fat), which have an anti-inflammatory effect.
It may be the shortfall in these bugs is brought about by the illness, rather than causing it, but the finding at least offers a pathway to a treatment, which is a reason for cautious optimism for those with the condition.
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