CHRONIC FATIGUE and Related Diseases
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is a disease of unknown
origin. Symptoms can vary from person to person but the main
features are an almost deathly tiredness with acute muscle
pain and often- intense allergic reactions to common
environmental pollutants. It is often difficult to decide
whether a particular symptom is part of the syndrome or as a
result of the sufferer having CFS. This has led to all sorts
of treatments and sufferers being dismissed as depressed and
suffering from psychological illness. Most sufferers have had
a viral illness associated with the onset of symptoms and that
the disease is so debilitating that it affects the mental
state of the sufferer as one would expect.
Numerous viruses have been proposed and rejected as likely
causes. It is most likely that a combination of physical
stresses and viral infection leads to an allergic type
response. A raft of vitamin, amino acid and mineral
deficiencies can explain most common symptoms. Whether these
are caused by the disease or arise, as a consequence of having
the disease is a moot point however correcting these
deficiencies can dramatically improve your quality of life.
Linoleic and alpha-linolenic acid are the two fatty
acids that the human body cannot synthesize.
They make up a large proportion of cell membranes throughout
the body and also are the first messengers to activate the
immune system. They are instrumental in allowing nutrients
from food to pass through the walls of the gastrointestinal
tract. If the cells lining the wall of the gastrointestinal
tract are deficient in these fatty acids then poor absorption
of nutrients occurs. In wasting in AIDS patients little or no
nutrients are absorbed as a result of a deficiency in these
fatty acids in the cells lining the gut wall. This deficiency
is caused directly by the HIV virus affecting these cells.
Peak pioneered a treatment for AIDS patients that involved
rubbing these essential fatty acids into the skin of the
abdomen to correct this deficiency with good results. This
type of deficiency has been shown in other chronic viral
diseases. With CFS sufferers we have had good results as well.
This is not a cure all but can dramatically improve your
quality of life. The easiest way to do this is to rub
approximately a teaspoon of flaxseed oil into the
abdomen morning and night for 2 weeks. After this time it can
be taken orally. Having attempted to restore the
gastrointestinal tract you should be able to absorb other
critical nutrients.
As with most things associated with CFS research
results are often confusing and contradictory.
Fatigue and depression are symptoms of both folate deficiency
and CFS. A short duration study (1) showed no benefit however
a longer study with high dose folate(2) showed good results.
If considering Folate supplementation 10,000mcg daily for
around 3 months is the appropriate treatments.
A number of studies have shown that CFS and
fibromyalgia suffers have reduced Vitamin B12
in their bodies. As with Folic acid, Vitamin B12 deficiency is
associated with tiredness and depression. Again there are
contradictory results between low dose short duration trials
and high dose longer trials. One of the best studies (3)
showed that doses of B12 subcutanously of 2500-
5000mcg every 2-3 days for a 2 to 3 week period produced
around 80% improvement in energy and stamina. A number of
studies have indicated that Vit. B12 has an analgesic effect
when taken orally (4). This effect is dose dependant, the
higher the dose the lower the pain. An explanation for this
effect is contained in (5) and this suggests that the effect
is as result of changing the shape of blood cells that enhance
oxygen-carrying capacity.
NADH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide)(the reduced
form of Niacin) has been shown to
significantly reduced CFS symptoms(10mg daily)(6).
Vitamins B1, B2 and B6 have also been shown to be deficient in
CFS and some supplementation could be helpful
Again as with other Vitamins a deficiency of Vitamin c
has similar symptoms to CFS. Large
doses of Vitamin C have been shown to reduce pain in CFS.
Around 1 gram 3 times per day. A number of studies (8,9,10,11)
have shown that Vitamin C has beneficial immune enhancement
properties.
Magnesium deficiency and CFS have many common features.
References 12 and 13 have shown reduced Magnesuim levels in
erythrocytes of CFS sufferers. Two studies have shown
magnesium deficiency in around 40% of patients presenting with
CFS.(14) Around 50% of CFS
sufferers with Magnesium deficiency showed improvement.
Low Sodium has been shown to have produce symptoms
similar to CFS. In a number of studies
(15) a majority of CFS patients have been shown to be
suffering from low Sodium. It is worth being tested for low
Sodium or trying to increase your consumption of high Sodium
foods.
Mild Zinc defiicently has been shown in around 30% of
CFS sufferers. Zinc deficiency has been
reported in around 50% of CFS sufferers with high chemical
sensitivity. Trial data on CFS and Zinc supplementation is
limited however Zinc supplementation on normal volunteers
usually results in increased energy and muscle strength so it
is definitely worth trying.
L-Tryptophan has been shown to be deficient in around
80% of CFS sufferers. Supplementation
studies in CFS sufferers are limited but there is some
evidence that supplementation may help with pain and
depression(16).
Low L-Carnatine levels have been shown to exacerbate CFS
symptoms(17). It is thought that around 30% of CFS sufferers
will respond very well to carnatine supplementation (At least
1gram three times per day)
Co-Enzyme Q10.
A trial with CFS sufferers showed that supplementation with
100mg of CoQ10 for a three month period produced significant
improvements in symptoms and the ability to exercise(18).
Recommendations
The following recommendations are based on Peak's assessment
of the scientific evidence and our own trials. Due to the
variability in symptoms and response you may obtain better
individual results in a different order.
1.Essential fatty acid and or fish oil* supplementation should
be the first nutritional supplement.
2. Balanced Diet of fresh fruit and vegetables with a minimum
or no saturated fats. Lots of purple fruits and vegetables.
(Red Grapes, Blueberries, dark plums and purple cabbage)
3. Co- Enzyme Q10 supplementation appears to offer good
potential
4. Zinc and magnesium supplementation
5. B group vitamins and Vitamin C
References available on website www.peaknaturalproducts.com
*If able to be tolerated 20grams a day of fish oil is highly
likely to dramatically reduce CFS
symptoms. Start with one tablet twice per day and gradually
build up to 7 with each meal.