Chronic Fatigue
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Pain and fatigue, are the two most common health-related problems that cause people to seek help. Patients complain of exhaustion, depression, inability to sleep at night, lack of energy, chronic pain, and malaise. They develop food, environmental, and chemical allergies, usually after first getting sick. All of these symptoms, when seen together, are now known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, (CFS). In most cases, CFS makes it impossible for people to carry out their daily tasks
Some practitioners have noticed an increase in the number of patients complaining of these symptoms, following an outbreak of a viral infection. In some cases, patients had the flu, a bad cold, or some other upper respiratory infection prior to the occurrence of these symptoms. Because of this, doctors believe that CFS may be a communicable disease with viral implication.
Regardless of the origin, CFS is known to be an energy deficit disorder. The impact of this energy deficit, is found in the immune system, musculo-skeleton system, brain function. and various endocrine disorders. The wide range of symptoms that CFS patients have, is due to the fact, that all biological systems, require adequate amounts of energy production, to function normally. If energy is not available in the proper amounts, systems will not function correctly. For instance: an immune system not operating with adequate energy may cause an improper response to environmental factors such as pollens, molds, dust, and animal hair. Without proper liver detoxification, people will become sensitive to various chemicals found in our everyday lives. Reactions to these substances can contribute to a patient's discomfort. Food intolerances may also increase due to this hyper-sensitive immune system. Muscle weakness can lead to instability when walking, and the inability to exercise for even short periods of time. Endocrine dysfunction can lead to so many disorders, that trying to explain each one in this format would be impossible. Suffice to say, that endocrine dysfunction will add to the patient's misery.
Because CFS is considered an energy deficit disorder, treatment should focus on the production and control of energy within the body. The energy producing organelle within every cell in our body, is the Mitochondria It is here, that carbohydrates, fats, and some amino acids are combined with oxygen in the presence of vitamins, minerals, and enzymes to produce energy. This process is called respiration. When respiration is working properly, the result is effective transformation of nutrients to energy. If mitochondrial function is impaired, energy production produces by-products that can actually poison the cell, and interfere with the cell's function. Ineffective mitochondrial function will result in an accumulation of metabolic debris. This debris will cause the symptoms of CFS.
Mitochondrial function depends on specific nutrients for energy production. Some researchers believe that carnitine plays an important role in maintaining energy production. Fatty acids play an important role as an energy rich fuel, since large amounts can be stored in cells in the form of triglycerides. Triglycerides have a very high energy content, twice that of proteins or carbohydrates. These fatty acids require carnitine for transfer into the mitochondria, where they are converted into energy. Inefficient transfer of these fatty acids, can lead to both deceased energy and a accumulation of fat in body tissue. Approximately one-third of CFS' patients, supplemented with 300 mg of carnitine daily, showed significant improvement.
In clinical studies, Dr. William Judy found, that supplementation with CoQ10, enabled CFS patients to improve exercise tolerance, and improved cognitive skills. The level of CoQ10 supplemented was about 400 mg daily.
A third nutrient necessary for mitochondrial function, is magnesium In healthy individuals, magnesium is found within the mitochondria. There, it controls the conversion of nutrients into energy. In CFS patients, it appears that magnesium cannot be maintained within the cells, and is excreted via the urine. Therefore, it is important to supplement CFS patients with high dosages of magnesium, to offset this leakage. In some cases, it is necessary to use magnesium levels of 1200 mg daily. Malic acid has been shown to be effective along with magnesium in the treatment of fibromyalgia.
Other nutrients that have been found to be of use are: B-12, Folic Acid, EPA-DHA, Ester C, Vitamin A, Beta Carotene, and all nutrients which enhance mitochondrial function. Mi-T-Cell a product formulated by Progressive Labs contains a combination of nutrients which enhance mitochondrial function.
Most CFS patients suffer from various bowel problems. Frequent antibiotic therapy, used to treat the many infections CFS patients are afflicted with, the use of NASID's to treat their pain, and their inefficient digestive system, all combine to dramatically alter intestinal flora; lead to intestinal permeability; weaken mucosal immune response, all of which make treating CFS patients more difficult. Therefore, all CFS patients should have their bowels detoxified, healed, and functioning properly. It is important to place CFS patients on a bowel cleansing program. This should include: 5 days of a hypoallergenic rice protein drink (Pro-Cleanse), along with Ex-Tox, Mucoplex, a probiotic formula such as Pro-dophilus, glutamine, and MPF. This combination, will clean and heal the digestive tract, and re-inoculate the bowel with good bacteria.. By providing for better digestion and absorption of nutrients, CFS patients should have a better chance of improving. The bowel detox may repeated at any time. The Ex-tox, Mucoplex, Probiotic Bacteria, MPF, and glutamine should be continued for at least six-twelve weeks.. That should insure adequate time to allow for cleaning and healing of the intestinal mucosa.
Many CFS patients are allergic to molds, pollens, animal hair and dander. To help CFS patients deal with their allergies, you would want to use homeopathic antigens, which are designed to help alleviate their symptoms. These antigens, are easy to use, and they will greatly help CFS patients with their allergies.
CFS patients with chemical sensitivities, need to have a great deal of liver support. You may accomplish this, by using anti-oxidants, herbs, glandulars, or homeopathics. It is very important to provide liver support for CFS patients. By detoxing the liver, chemical sensitivities will eventually be eliminated. By following these nutritional methods, you will be able to help people suffering from CFS, to reclaim their lives.
Posted
by Dr. Steven Felder
