CFS is a disease that is stress sensitive. Stress produces chemicals that appear to increase the population of disruptive bacteria in the gut.

There are potential attitude problems because it implies (to some) that CFS is a psychological condition

• Meditative movement for depression and anxiety. [2013] Qigong (Chi Kung), Taijiquan (Tai Chi) and Yoga ” Results suggest that MM may be at least as effective as conventional exercise or other interventions in ameliorating anxiety and depression; however, study quality is generally poor and there are many confounding factors. This makes it difficult to draw definitive conclusions at this time.”
• “the results suggest that lifestyle (Yoga) intervention may improve clinical condition and personality in patients with CFS.” [2015]
• Isometric yoga improves the fatigue and pain of patients with chronic fatigue syndrome who are resistant to conventional therapy: a randomized, controlled trial. [2014]
• Iyengar yoga for adolescents and young adults with irritable bowel syndrome. [2014] ” a brief IY intervention is a feasible and safe adjunctive treatment for young people with IBS, leading to benefits in a number of IBS-specific and general functioning domains for YA.”
• Efficacy and safety of meditative movement therapies in fibromyalgia syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. [2013] “. Yoga had short-term beneficial effects on some key domains of FMS.”

So for symptom mitigation, it can definitely help — exactly what would be expected from the model. Meditative movement reduces stress and thus the production of chemicals produced by stress.

For remission, zero indication that it would result in any remissions.

Stress Impact

• The joint power of sex and stress to modulate brain-gut-microbiota axis and intestinal barrier homeostasis: implications for irritable bowel syndrome.[2016]
• The gut microbiome and the brain. [2014]
• Acclimatisation-induced stress influenced host metabolic and gut microbial composition change. [2015] “We also observed a strong influence of stress on the host metabolism and commensal compositional variability.”
• The effect of stress on microbial growth. [2014] “. The ability of microorganisms to recognize and produce neurochemicals that can influence the host, known as microbial endocrinology, provides for a mechanistic basis with which to examine the ability of stress to influence health and susceptibility to disease.”
• Does stress induce bowel dysfunction? [2014]

Bottom Line

Most CFS patients need to lower their stress levels, especially those who onset were connected to stressful jobs.  This may be done by adaptogens (Ashwagandha, etc) [See Mother Earth News], adjusting self-expectations and/or ignoring other expectations on you, or by some form of meditative movement. This will not, by itself, cause remission but it should lessen the time to remission and reduce the risk of future relapse once remission is obtained.  If you were an adrenaline junkie, you have a LOT of behavior modification to do.

On the flip side, disability issues, financial issues, non-supportive spouses and families represent severe challenges of sources of stress that can keep a person locked into the CFS cycle — especially with brain fog.

Of course, one of my favorite “medicines” shows up… see my earlier post on this special medicine (which also encourages the growth of bifidobacterium probiotics)

• “Dark chocolate reduced the urinary excretion of the stress hormone cortisol and catecholamines and partially normalized stress-related differences in energy metabolism (glycine, citrate, trans-aconitate, proline, beta-alanine) and gut microbial activities (hippurate and p-cresol sulfate).” [2009]
  • Specific dietary preferences are linked to differing gut microbial metabolic activity in response to dark chocolate intake. [2012]
  • “The milk chocolate snack resulted in the decrease of anxiety in high anxiety trait subjects, whereas dark chocolate and cheese and crackers respectively improved the anxiety level and the energetic state of low anxiety trait participants.” [2012]