Reprinted from Natures Field Vol. 14 #2 March/April 1998

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
by Judith G. Cobb, MH, CI, RNC

Don't forget to read about Parasites which could very well cause EBV or Chronic Fatigue

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), which is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), is reaching epidemic proportions. Its symptoms range from mild (like a cold that wont go away) to severe and critical (as in energy so low that thinking about lifting one's head off the pillow is exhausting). It has been determined that most people are exposed to EBV when they are young children. At that time, they probably manifested mild symptoms of a bad cold.

Adolescents and young adults who are exposed for the first time generally come down with Mononucleosis. For those who are over thirty years old and are being exposed for the first time, the symptoms are Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

SYMPTOMS

The more well documented symptoms include prolonged and debilitating fatigue, intermittent low-grade fever, sudden onset of multiple allergies, chronic sore throat, swollen glands, difficulty in concentrating, arthritic symptoms, migraines, and psychological disturbances (particularly depression).

The disease also drains mental, physical, emotional, and immunological strength, not to mention the fact that it generally causes severe flair-ups of preexisting conditions like Ankylosing Spondylitis and Arthritis.

Generally the immune system will respond to a viral invasion by increasing the number of white blood cells. In people with CFS, the immune system is weakened and the EBV will generally have its way. People with EBV usually produce antibodies against their own tissue which leads to a direct assault on nerves, muscles, proteins, endocrine glands, and the liver. This can manifest as peripheral nerve pain, numbness, seizures, and paralysis.
Most CFS sufferers also go through Hepatitis.

Complications of EBV

EBV can lead to complications. One of the biggest is strep throat. The use of antibiotics for strep throat in EBV patients must be done very carefully as the antibiotics can have a serious immune suppressing action the very thing someone with EBV does not need. Some of the symptoms of strep throat include fever and sore throat. A fever (up to 103 degrees F) stimulates the immune system further. For this reason, low-grade fevers usually should not be broken with fever-reducing medications. Sometimes it is even desirable to stimulate a warmer body temperature by taking a warm bath for about a half hour or putting hot compresses over the liver. This can stimulate the immune response.

Another fairly common complication is Candida albicans overgrowth, also known as yeast infection. Symptoms of yeast include the typical mouth, genitourinary and feet complaints. Less well known symptoms include digestive disturbances from gas and bloating to abdominal pain, emotional problems, sleep and energy problems, weight problems, allergy symptoms, etc.

Of course, the only way to deal with yeast infection is with anti-yeast protocol including diet and supplements. Typically, beyond the anti-yeast diet (which is described later), someone with yeast problems would be looking at using supplements such as High Potency Garlic, Lymphomax, IN-X and Echinacea. These supplements stimulate the immune response and enable it to fight the yeast on its own. He who has EBV will probably have yeast, which also means he will probably have allergies and hypoglycemia. Its no wonder these people feel so crummy.
So what can one do to overcome EBV?

Overcoming EBV

Life-style is the starting point. Sleep is critical. Because of the energy cycle of the liver, it is very important for EBV sufferers to be in bed by 9:00 PM as the liver goes through its regeneration cycle from 9:00 PM to 3:00 AM. If insomnia is a problem, taking about 1000 mg. of calcium (as an amino acid chelate) about one hour before going to bed can be helpful.

Calcium has been shown to inhibit the reproduction of EBV as well as promote the balancing of the neurotransmitters which promote sleep. What about the magnesium component of the calcium-magnesium duo? In the case of EBV this mineral duo works best when split.

Magnesium (in the form of an amino acid chelate) should be taken in the morning in this case as this mineral activates the liver and promotes the release of bile.

Vitamin A is another essential nutrient for someone with EBV. Of course, since vitamin A is an antioxidant and is also used in immune responses by mucous membranes, among other organs, it is feasible to expect that vitamin A will be used rapidly by people with compromised immune systems. It is preferable when working with EBV to use beta-carotene as this is stored in the liver in a nontoxic form and can be converted to vitamin A on an as needed basis.

Focus on vegetables such as broccoli, spinach, and sweet potato. I like to use our Milk Thistle Combination for the beta-carotene content because this formula also contains milk thistle extract which has been shown in controlled studies done in Europe to help regenerate a liver after damage.

Vitamin C is very important. Macrophages (specialized white blood cells) are more active in the presence of vitamin C. Natural vitamin C does not cause the problems with creating kidney stones that pure ascorbic acid does. The Nature's Sunshine C Citrus Bioflavonoids has natural source vitamin C with the bioflavonoids which are needed to ensure the most complete assimilation possible. Vitamin C is water soluble which means any excess is eliminated quite quickly through the urine. It is, therefore, essential to take small amounts periodically throughout the day to minimize overloading and spilling off.

Zinc is another important mineral when working against EBV. Macrophages are more active in the presence of zinc. Zinc should be used in an amino acid chelate form.

The B vitamins are especially important if there is liver impairment. These vitamins are critical in more than sixty enzyme reactions in the body.

Magnesium helps the B vitamins do their job more efficiently as far as the liver is concerned. According to Stoff and Pellegrino in The Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, the Hidden Epidemic, it is more effective to take the nutritional supplements as individual supplements rather than using a multivitamin/mineral tablet.

Echinacea is a herb that has been found very useful in stimulating the immune response. It seems to be excellent in challenging EBV, Candida, and chronic inflammatory conditions. I have also found High Potency Garlic to be very helpful. Because this product is odor-controlled (not odorless) it has a very strong impact on the immune system. Lymphomax is another tremendous formula for stimulating the immune system and getting it back on track (also check the Immune Stimulator).

Mild exercise every day is very important. Always stop before reaching exhaustion. This is especially important when the EBV seems to be coming under control and energy is more abundant. Know when to stop. Aerobic exercise is best. Ultimately, one should work up to fast walking, swimming, bicycling, hiking, or cross country skiing, but always starting where one can and doing what one can on a regular basis.

Diet is an extremely important part of controlling EBV. The diet is tough, but adherence to it will speed the recovery process up tremendously. Foods to severely limit or eliminate include red meat, dairy products (except for butter), deep-fried foods, coffee, tea, alcohol, soft drinks, chocolate, and sugar.

Smokers should quit.

If yeast is a problem, one will also need to eliminate all baked goods made with yeast, all fermented and aged foods including alcoholic beverages, cheese, and vinegar, all juices and fruits, all dried fruits, mushrooms, and vitamins which contain yeast in their tablets.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is an overwhelming condition to have but it can be overcome with diligent application of good natural health practices and the appropriate supplements. People with CFS can lead a normal life.

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Do You Have Parasites? (Could cause chronic fatigue)

It’s not a pleasant thought, but there are many people suffering from various ailments doctors have been unable to diagnose until some type of parasite or worm was finally discovered. One of the reasons American doctors sometimes miss these critters is that many types of parasites are not common in our country but are common elsewhere. Many Americans travel to strange and exotic places and pick up problems that are rare or unknown back in the States.

Another reason why parasites are often overlooked as a cause of disease is that a busy doctor is not taking enough time to get a clear picture of your total symptoms. There are about a 1,000 different kinds of parasites, so don’t expect too much from any medical professional when it comes to diagnosing your possible parasite problem. On the other hand, don’t be shy about finding out what you can from professionals who have expertise and laboratories to help them.

Parasites can enter the body through contaminated drinking water, food, through open wounds, by burrowing through the skin of the feet, by getting on hands and being transferred to the mouth or nose—even wind is a possible vector, making earth-bound microscopic organisms airborne. In Africa, the dreaded Black Fly sucks blood from its victims and deposits tiny worms under the skin. These later travel throughout the body, and may finally cause blindness. In this country, fleas can transmit tapeworms, tularemia and murine typhus. Fleas from rats also spread bubonic plague.

Symptoms

Symptoms usually depend on the type of parasite, but generally they include nervousness, grinding teeth at night (especially children), various aches and pains that may move from place to place, mimicked appendicitis, ulcers and various digestive pain, nausea or diarrhea. Picking the nose, itching, acne, foul breath, furred tongue, appetite sometimes voracious and at other times poor, itching anus, anemia, liver jaundice, wide mood swings, fatigue, menstrual irregularities, fever, colitis and insomnia can occur.

The reason for mentioning all these symptoms (and there are more) is to make the point that doctors have often misdiagnosed the symptoms because of their similarity to flu, Epstein-Barr (chronic fatigue syndrome) nervous exhaustion, hormone imbalances and so forth.

Parasite problems are often so evasive to regular medical investigation that no one can accurately estimate how much of the population may be afflicted. Present estimates range from 25-80% for Americans. While we can’t deal with all types of parasites in a few pages, this overview should give you enough information to make up your own mind about a responsible course to take in being sure that you, your family and friends can take full advantage of Mother Nature’s many parasite cleansing herbs.

Notes from Four Winds Nutrition Club and Béatrice Duplantier-Rhea, N.D.

People may pick up parasites and it may be years before they are detected.

Symptoms include:
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Crohn's Disease, digestive complaints, diarrhea, food & environmental allergies, candida, unexplained weakness or weight loss, abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting and sometimes even constipation.

HERBALS REMEDIES:
Must rotate herbs 1-4: (parasites build resistance)

1. ARTEMISIA COMBINATION - slowly increase to 12 capsules (1 day at a time start with 1 x 3 times a day up to 3 - 4 times a day)
2. PARA-CLEANSE - follow directions on the box and repeat 3 times with 5 day intervals also LBS II
3. BLACK WALNUT ATC (2) 3x daily
4. HIGH POTENCY GARLIC (2) 3x daily

*Whole Leaf ALOE - heals damage of tissue by parasites.

Bibliography:
Stoff, Jesse A. and Pellegrino, Charles R. Chronic Fatique Syndrome:
The Hidden Epidemic, Harper & Row, Publishers, 1990

This information is for educational purposes only. Consult with a qualified health practictioner for all serious or persistant illness. Copyright 2000 by Robinson & Horne, L.C., P.O. Box 1028, Roosevelt, UT 84066. This material may be duplicated for educational purposes only (not for resale)- Distributed by:WebNat.com