E. Coli Bacteria for Spastic Colon and Fibromyalgia
Milk bacteria (e.g., acidophilus, Lactobacillus, etc.) are not the only healthy probiotics. New research using another major healthy bowel bacteria (called E. coli — but not the type that causes food poisoning) has found that it also helps spastic colon. I would note that this is a kind of bacteria that has also been used by Professor DeMeirleir in addressing chronic fatigue syndrome associated bowel bacteria overgrowth.
In this study, 298 patients diagnosed with spastic colon were addressed with either E. coli probiotics [Symbioflor(R)-2, Symbiopharm GmbH, Herborn, Germany] or placebo. At the end of eight weeks, 19% of the E. coli group had a marked drop in abdominal pain versus 6.7% of the placebo group.
E. coli probiotics are available in Europe but I have not yet seen them in the United States.
Reference
Enck P, Zimmermann K, Menke G, Klosterhalfen S. Randomized Controlled Treatment Trial of Irritable Bowel Syndrome with a Probiotic E.-coli Preparation (DSM17252) Compared to Placebo. Z Gastroenterol. 2009 Feb;47(2):209-14. Epub 2009 Feb 5.
Jacob Teitelbaum, M.D. is one of the world's leading integrative medical authorities on fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. He is the lead author of eight research studies on their effective treatments, and has published numerous health & wellness books, including the bestseller on fibromyalgia From Fatigued to Fantastic! and The Fatigue and Fibromyalgia Solution. His newest book (June 10, 2024) is You Can Heal From Long COVID. Dr. Teitelbaum is one of the most frequently quoted fibromyalgia experts in the world and appears often as a guest on news and talk shows nationwide including Good Morning America, The Dr. Oz Show, Oprah & Friends, CNN, and Fox News Health.
