Improved oxygen saturation and acclimatization with bacteriotherapy at high altitude

High altitude imposes physiological stress on the human body due to reduced oxygen availability, and options to improve acclimatization are limited. Seventeen participants underwent a randomized, doubled-blinded, placebo-controlled study to test the effects of a multi-strain probiotic on acclimatization to high altitude (3,800 m). The primary outcome was oxygen saturation (SpO₂) during both daytime and nighttime. Secondary measurements included acute mountain sickness (AMS) score, sleep measurements, ventilation, resting heart rate, blood pressure, heart rate variability, and fasting glucose levels. The probiotic group exhibited a higher daytime and nighttime SpO₂ compared to the placebo group at high altitude. The probiotic group also exhibited a lower AMS score and enhanced acclimatization relative to the placebo group at high altitude, evidenced by higher SpO₂ and lower AMS scores in treatment versus placebo groups. These results suggest bacteriotherapy as a novel, non-invasive intervention for high-altitude acclimatization.