The Best Ways to Prevent, Improve and Cure Chronic Fatigue Naturally

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is defined by overwhelming fatigue, not relieved by rest, and at least four of the following symptoms for at least six months:

• Impaired short-term memory of concentration, which significantly affects normal activities
• Sore throat
• Tender lymph nodes in the neck or underarms
• Muscle pain or pain in multiple joints with no joint swelling or redness
• New onset of headache
• A good night sleep
• General malaise following physical exertion that lasts more than 24 hours

The Centers for Disease Control officially recognized this condition in 1988. Chronic fatigue syndrome is more common in women than men, and the majority of patients are in their thirties.

What Is The Cause of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

The cause of chronic fatigue syndrome is unknown and there are no specific lab tests to diagnose this condition. Some holistic practitioners believe that the cause of chronic fatigue syndrome is infectious. Others believe that multiple factors promote the development of chronic fatigue, including:

1. Nutritional deficiency
2. Toxicity from environment, food, and drugs
3. Stress
4. Hormone imbalance, especially thyroid and adrenal
5. Lowered immune function
6. Bacterial, viral, or fungal infections

Many people with chronic fatigue syndrome have had a history of exhausted adrenal glands and produce low amounts of cortisol and other adrenal hormones. Some holistic experts also find a high incidence of Candida yeast infection, leaky gut syndrome, food and environmental sensitivities and liver toxicity.

Chronic fatigue is a diagnosis of exclusion, meaning that it is only considered after other medical conditions have been ruled out.

Chronic fatigue syndrome can sometimes be confused with the following conditions that also result in fatigue. These include:

• Anemia
• Allergies
• Candidiasis
• Adrenal Insufficiency
• Hypothyroidism
• Hypoglycemia
• Infections
• Sleep Apnea
• Hepatitis B And C
• Orthostatic Hypotension
• Sle
• Narcolepsy
• Cancer
• Severe Obesity
• Cushing Syndrome
• Adrenal Fatigue
• Substance Abuse
• Generalized Anxiety
• Dementia
• Schizophrenia
• Depression

Successful holistic treatments for chronic fatigue

Holistic Testing

In order to help determine the underlying factors contributing to CFS, a number of tests are often conducted, including darkfield blood microscopy, electrodermal screening, stool analysis, unrinalysis, blood test, hair analysis, liver detoxification profile, adrenal stress test, nutritional analysis, antioxidant profile.

Lifestyle and Environmental

Develop health sleep habits. Try to get to establish a regular bedtime. Gentle restorative exercise such as tai chi, swimming, yoga, and walking is important, even though many people may not feel like it. Research has shown that two-thirds of people with chronic fatigue syndrome benefit from exercise, although it is critical not to overdo it.

Diet

Detox and cleansing diet for one to three weeks. Avoid all foods and chemicals that may be worsening symptoms. Wheat, dairy, corn, gluten-containing products (rye, oats, etc), sugar, and fermented foods are some of the most common food sensitivities. After the cleansing diet, the excluded foods are often re-introduced into the diet systematically to identify any aggravating foods. For CFS patients with Candidiasis, all Types: of sugar, including milk products and fruit, should be avoided. Caffeine, alcohol, and refined carbohydrates such as white flour and white rice should be avoided.

Ayurvedic Medicine

A typical Ayurvedic approach may be to improve digestion, eliminate toxins. Use a detox and cleansing program to purge toxins. Ayurvedic herbs include ashwagandha, amla, bala, triphala, and lomatium, which are combined according to the patient's dosha, or constitutional type. The vata dosha is susceptible to chronic fatigue.

Supplements & Vitamins

Probiotics

Beneficial bacteria can greatly improve digestion and reestablish a healthy microbial balance in the intestines. A typical dose is one to two capsules two to three times per day, taken on an empty stomach.

Digestive enzymes

Pancreatic or vegetable-derived enzymes can supply your body with additional enzymes to digest fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. Products differ greatly - some contain lactase to digest milk, others contain hydrochloric acid to assist the stomach, and still others contain ox bile to help with the emulsification and digestion of fats. A typical dosage is one to two capsules with meals.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C helps with the immune system, is required for healthy adrenal gland function, and helps liver detoxification pathways.

Magnesium

Magnesium is involved in more than three hundred enzyme reactions in the body. It is found in green leafy vegetables and whole grains. Magnesium is essential for energy production, muscle function, nerve conduction, and bone health. People with chronic fatigue syndrome often have a deficiency in magnesium. Some people find that is improves energy, emotional states, and decreases pain.

Coenzyme Q10

Coenzyme Q10 is necessary for energy production and cell function. It also helps with the repair and maintenance of tissues. A typical dose is 60 to 100 milligrams daily.

NADH (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide)

NADH is a naturally occurring chemical that plays a significant role in cellular energy production. In supplement form, NADH has been used to improve energy in athletes and in individuals with chronic fatigue. In one preliminary study, 26 people were given 10 mg of NADH for a four-week period. Some showed some improvement in symptoms during NADH treatment compared to placebo.

Carnitine

Carnitine is used by the body to convert fatty acids into energy. Some studies have found decreased carnitine levels in people with CFS. However, more research is needed in this area.

Adrenal Support

People with chronic fatigue syndrome often have adrenal fatigue or weakness. Supplements that tonify the adrenal glands are:

• Licorice herbal supplement: DGL is a form of licorice that will not affect aldosterone levels in the body, used for people with high blood pressure
• Siberian ginseng
• Adrenal glandular supplements
• Vitamin C
• Pantothenic acid (B5)

Primitive and ancient civilizations relied on herbs for healing, as do many contemporary cultures throughout the world. In fact, the World Health Organization has estimated that 80% of the world's population continues to use traditional therapies, major parts of which derived from plants.

Remember, if you are taking other medications, refrain from taking herbal supplements without first checking with your doctor. Herbal supplements and over-the-counter medications or prescription drugs can combine to cause adverse side effects. Just because an herbal supplement is extracted from, a "natural" source does not render it any less potent than any other chemicals you may ingest.

By Stacey Chillemi

Hypothyroid Diet

Hypothyroidism (under-active thyroid) can remain undetected for years. People commonly have the symptoms of hypothyroidism even though their blood tests indicate that their thyroid function is 'normal'. This is because standard pathology tests for thyroid function can have difficulty detecting 'sub clinical' cases of hypothyroidism. The most common symptoms of hypothyroidism are chronic tiredness, constipation, feeling the cold and dry skin. If you are in a high risk category for thyroid dysfunction - have a family member with a thyroid condition (especially your mother); are at the menopausal age; have experienced lots of stress in the past two-three years; or have hormonal imbalances - then it's important that you support your thyroid, even if the tests tell that your thyroid is 'normal'. One of the best ways to support thyroid function is with diet.
Certain foods improve hypothyroidism by supplying the essential minerals that the thyroid needs to function and produce hormones.
These include:
1. Tyrosine-rich foods. The amino acid tyrosine combines with iodine to make the hormone thyroxine. These foods include meat, fish, turkey and chicken breast, low fat milk and yogurt, almonds, avocado, bananas, lima beans, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, lentils. Supplements of tyrosine should be taken on an empty stomach so that it doesn't have to compete with other amino acids.
2. Iodine-rich foods. Iodine is needed to make thyroid hormones. Ideal food sources include Celtic sea salt, seaweed (sushi, nori rolls), salt water fish and sea food. Iodized salt is available but should be used in small amounts once or twice a week along with a good quality Celtic sea salt. Iodine supplements are usually in the form of kelp tablets. Consult your health practitioner before using these, because the wrong dose can unbalance your thyroid.
3. High quality protein. All of our body's glands and hormones are made from protein. Try to eat high quality lean protein at every meal.
4. Selenium-rich foods - meat, chicken, salmon, tuna, seafood, whole unrefined grains, brazil nuts, brewer's yeast, broccoli, dairy products, garlic, onions and black strap molasses.
5. Supplements of Vitamin B complex and essential fatty acids because they help to balance the entire hormonal system.
6. Sunlight - while not a food, its important to get a daily dose of safe sun. Light stimulates the pineal gland, which in turn positively affects the thyroid as well as all the other endocrine glands.
Certain foods are detrimental for hypothyroidism because they can inhibit the production of thyroid hormones.
1. Soy products. Isoflavones are hormone-like substances found in soy products. High consumption of soy products have been found to suppress thyroid function in some people and can even cause or worsen hypothyroidism. In particular, an isoflavone called genistein, appears to reduce thyroid hormone output by blocking the activity of an enzyme called thyroid peroxidase. This enzyme is responsible for adding iodine onto the thyroid hormones.
How much is too much soy? Each person can tolerate a different amount and unfortunately soy is hidden in many processed and refined foods. If you have a family history of thyroid disease or a diet low in the minerals iodine and selenium, you need to be careful of your soy intake. Reduce your consumption of soy products (soy milk, tofu, tempeh, miso, soy sauce) to a maximum of two or three times per week. If you have already been diagnosed with hypothyroidism, or you display the common symptoms, then reduce your intake to less than twice in a week.
2. Cruciferous vegetables - broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, mustard, rutabagas, kohlrabi, and turnips. Isothiocyanates are the category of substances in cruciferous vegetables that have been associated with decreased thyroid function. They appear to reduce thyroid function by blocking thyroid peroxidase, and also by disrupting messages that are sent across the membranes of thyroid cells. Cooking these vegetables does make the isothiocyanates less available. Also, because they are so good for us in other ways, only restrict this group if you have been actually diagnosed with hypothyroidism or have strong symptoms.
3. Low progesterone goes hand in hand with low thyroid, so avoid foods that promote oestrogen dominance. This includes any animal product that has not been produced organically (chicken, eggs, dairy, beef, lamb, pork, etc.). All of these foods are available organic.
4. It is believed by some researchers that chlorine and fluoride (found in most tap water) block iodine receptors in the thyroid gland, eventually leading to hypothyroidism.
5. Gluten is linked to thyroid dysfunction (both hyper and hypo thyroid) so if you have any digestive problems or any one in your family with a gluten sensitivity, it would be worth dramatically reducing your gluten intake.
Please note: The information in this article is not intended to take the place of a personal relationship with a qualified health practitioner nor is it intended as medical advice.
By Alison Cassar