Málaga study finds probiotics could help reduce fatigue and pain in people with multiple sclerosis

Research carried out in Málaga has opened up new possibilities for improving the quality of life of people living with multiple sclerosis (MS). A scientific team from IBIMA Plataforma BIONAND and the University of Málaga (UMA) has found that certain probiotics could help reduce fatigue, pain and some indicators of inflammation associated with the neurological condition.

The findings come from a systematic review and meta-analysis published in the international scientific journal Clinical Nutrition, with contributions from the Spanish Biomedical Research Network Centre for Cardiovascular Diseases (CIBERCV).

The study brings together six clinical trials involving 282 adults diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, comparing the effects of different probiotic preparations with those of a placebo.

Although the findings suggest potential benefits for certain symptoms, the researchers emphasise that there is not yet enough evidence to recommend probiotics as a specific treatment for the disease.

The research has also not demonstrated that these microorganisms can stop the progression of multiple sclerosis or reduce the neurological disability associated with it.

Its main significance lies in identifying possible complementary approaches to managing symptoms that can substantially affect patients' everyday lives.

What has the Málaga research discovered about probiotics?

The study focused on whether supplementation with certain beneficial microorganisms could produce changes in the physical, psychological and biochemical health of people with multiple sclerosis.

To investigate this, researchers examined the results of randomised clinical trials in which participants received either probiotics or a placebo.

The review found reductions in fatigue and pain among participants receiving probiotics, compared with those given the inactive treatment.

Moderate improvements were also identified in certain markers associated with inflammation.

These findings are particularly relevant because fatigue and pain are among the symptoms that can significantly affect the independence and well-being of people diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

However, the scientists stress that the observed effects should be interpreted cautiously.

The trials used different preparations, doses and supplementation periods, making it difficult to determine which formulations might be most useful or which patients could benefit the most.

Fatigue is one of the most challenging symptoms of multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic immune-mediated disease affecting the central nervous system, which includes the brain and spinal cord.

It develops when an abnormal immune response damages structures within the nervous system, including the myelin that protects nerve fibres.

This damage can disrupt the transmission of nerve signals and cause symptoms that vary considerably from one person to another.

Common manifestations include mobility difficulties, changes in sensation, visual disturbances, pain and fatigue.

The latter should not be confused with the ordinary tiredness experienced after strenuous physical activity.

Fatigue associated with multiple sclerosis can be persistent, disproportionate to the amount of activity performed and disruptive to everyday tasks.

For some patients, it can make working, carrying out household responsibilities or participating in social activities considerably more difficult.

Pain can also have different causes and manifestations, contributing to a reduced quality of life.

Finding strategies to alleviate these symptoms is therefore an important area of clinical research.

The Málaga study suggests that certain interventions targeting the gut microbiota may be worth exploring, although further evidence is required to confirm their effectiveness.

Which probiotics have been studied in people with multiple sclerosis?

Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, can provide health benefits in specific circumstances.

However, not all probiotics are the same, and they do not necessarily produce identical effects.

Their properties depend on factors such as the type of microorganism, the specific strain, the amount administered and the purpose of the intervention.

The clinical trials examined by the Málaga researchers mainly used formulations containing bacteria from the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium genera.

Other preparations included yeasts and combinations containing prebiotics.

Prebiotics are substances that can selectively encourage the growth or activity of certain microorganisms in the gut.

The variety of products used represents one of the main challenges when interpreting the findings.

Although the combined analysis suggests potential benefits, it does not establish that every commercially available probiotic will produce the same effects in people with multiple sclerosis.

Nor does it identify a universally effective dose or ideal duration of supplementation.

The findings should therefore not be used as a reason to begin taking supplements independently without healthcare advice.

The gut-brain axis: why scientists are studying the microbiome

One of the key aspects of this research concerns the relationship between the digestive system, the immune system and the brain.

This interaction is known as the gut-brain axis, a field that has attracted growing interest in biomedical research.

The intestine contains a complex community of bacteria, viruses, fungi and other microorganisms known as the gut microbiota.

These microorganisms participate in various biological processes, including some associated with metabolism and the regulation of immune responses.

Research conducted in recent years has found that some people with multiple sclerosis have differences in their gut microbiota compared with people who do not have the disease.

However, these associations do not, by themselves, prove that changes in intestinal microorganisms cause multiple sclerosis.

Scientists still need to understand whether these changes contribute to certain disease processes, result from the condition itself or are linked to other factors.

The new review conducted by researchers in Málaga examines one possible intervention: modifying certain aspects of the intestinal environment through probiotic supplementation.

The findings suggest this approach deserves further investigation, particularly because of its potential relationship with inflammatory mechanisms.

Researchers identify changes in certain inflammation markers

Alongside symptoms such as fatigue and pain, the research team examined different biochemical parameters.

The review found moderate reductions in certain indicators of systemic inflammation among participants who received probiotics.

One of the markers considered was high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, which is used in research and clinical practice to assess certain inflammatory processes.

The finding is relevant because of the role played by the immune system in multiple sclerosis.

However, a reduction in an inflammatory marker does not necessarily mean that every aspect of the disease has improved.

Nor does it demonstrate that the treatment changes the long-term progression of multiple sclerosis.

The researchers believe these findings should be examined alongside more detailed studies of the gut microbiota and other immunological indicators.

The aim is to better understand the relationship between changes in the intestine and their possible effects on neurological symptoms.

IBIMA and the University of Málaga lead the scientific investigation

The research was carried out by scientists associated with IBIMA Plataforma BIONAND and the University of Málaga, in collaboration with CIBERCV.

The leading researchers include Mario Gutiérrez-Bedmar, from the Preventive Medicine and Public Health research group, and Carmen María González-Domenech, from the Clinical Research in HIV Infection, Endovascular Infection and Bacteraemia group.

Manuel Francisco Jiménez Navarro also contributed to the project. He is associated with the Cardiovascular Research for Health group and the Cardiology Department at Málaga's Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Victoria.

The scientific publication also lists Tamar Blanca-Serrano, Marina Agredano-Sánchez and Rosa María López Gigosos among its authors.

The article, entitled Physical, mental and biochemical effects of probiotics in multiple sclerosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis, was published online on July 30, 2026, and appeared in the September issue of Clinical Nutrition.

One of the most significant features of the research is its methodological approach.

Unlike other reviews that may incorporate experimental investigations or observational studies, the team selected only randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trials conducted in humans.

This decision allowed the researchers to analyse the available clinical evidence concerning probiotic supplementation in people with multiple sclerosis more specifically.

Nevertheless, the strength of the conclusions still depends on the number of participants and the characteristics of the available studies.

Probiotics have not been shown to reduce neurological disability

The research also provides important information about benefits that were not observed.

The meta-analysis found no statistically significant improvement in neurological disability, as measured using clinical scales employed to monitor multiple sclerosis.

It also found no significant changes in outcomes related to depression or overall psychological well-being.

This distinction is essential when interpreting the findings.

A product may help alleviate particular symptoms without altering the mechanisms responsible for disease progression.

In multiple sclerosis, specialist-prescribed medications play a crucial role in controlling disease activity and preventing new neurological damage in patients for whom they are indicated.

For this reason, probiotics should not be regarded as an alternative to medications used to treat multiple sclerosis.

The researchers suggest investigating them only as a possible complementary strategy that still requires scientific validation.

Why more clinical trials are needed before recommending supplements

Although the results are encouraging, the research team acknowledges several important limitations.

The first is the small number of available studies.

The meta-analysis includes six clinical trials and 282 participants, a sample that remains limited when drawing conclusions applicable to everyone with multiple sclerosis.

Furthermore, the formulations were not identical.

The trials used different microorganism strains, doses and treatment durations, making direct comparisons more difficult.

Another important limitation is that all the included studies were conducted in the same geographical region.

This could influence the results because the composition of the gut microbiota depends on numerous factors, including diet, environment and lifestyle.

The researchers therefore believe new clinical trials should be conducted in more diverse populations, including people living in Spain and other European countries.

It will also be important to establish whether the observed effects continue over time and whether outcomes differ according to individual patient characteristics.

Can people with multiple sclerosis take probiotics?

The research does not amount to a general recommendation that everyone diagnosed with multiple sclerosis should begin taking probiotic supplements.

The results relate to specific formulations investigated under particular clinical conditions.

In addition, the safety and suitability of any supplement should be assessed in relation to an individual's health, current treatments and personal circumstances.

For people with certain immune system disorders or complex medical conditions, products containing live microorganisms may require additional precautions.

Anyone considering probiotic supplementation to alleviate multiple sclerosis symptoms should therefore consult the healthcare professionals responsible for managing their condition.

Probiotics have not been shown to cure multiple sclerosis, prevent relapses or replace prescribed disease-modifying treatments.

What the Málaga study suggests is that certain formulations could be investigated as a possible way to help manage specific symptoms.

Málaga opens a new avenue of research into improving patients' quality of life

The involvement of IBIMA, the University of Málaga and Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Victoria highlights the scientific work being carried out in the province on neurological diseases and inflammatory processes.

The review published in Clinical Nutrition brings together the available clinical trial evidence and helps identify both promising results and questions that remain unanswered.

These include which probiotic strains might be most beneficial, what doses should be used, how long supplementation should continue and which groups of patients might experience improvements.

Further research will also be needed to clarify the mechanisms connecting the gut microbiota with inflammation and multiple sclerosis symptoms.

The study represents a step forward in understanding these possible relationships, although its findings are not yet sufficient to support a general treatment recommendation.

The main finding is that certain probiotics could help moderately reduce fatigue and pain in people with multiple sclerosis. Confirming these effects through larger clinical trials will be the next step in determining whether targeting the gut microbiota could become a useful complementary approach to improving patients' quality of life.