Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome & nutritional supplementation
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is
a medical condition where the patient is experiencing unusual, severe chronic
lethargy that cannot be relieved by either rest or sleep over time, and has no
direct medical cause. Some of the symptoms of the disease
include exhaustion which might last at least 6 months, cannot be relieved by
bed rest and is debilitating enough to prevent or delay daily activities such
as playing with your children, exercising, or doing house chores. Other
symptoms include muscle aches and joint pains, headaches which are different
than previously experienced, mild fever, some disruption to cognitive functions
causing confusion, irritability and forgetfulness. Other more known severe
symptoms of CFS include disruptions of the physiological functions of the body
such as digestive problems, respiratory and cardiac problems, and increased
sensitivity to light, sound and smells.
Treatments of the disease are both
psychological and physical, where the more well-known treatments include
cognitive behavioral therapy and graded exercise therapy. There have also been
certain studies that have pointed out that deficiencies of a multiple number of
nutrients essential to the body could promote the development of the disease.
Deficiencies of various B vitamins, vitamin C, magnesium, sodium, zinc, L-tryptophan,
L-carnitine, coenzyme Q10, and essential fatty acids could contribute to the
development of the disease, and in turn, the disease itself could result in the
deficiency in any one of these essential nutrients, thus converging into a
vicious cycle (Werbach 2000). Other studies have proven that nutritional
supplementation combined with medical treatment have significantly improved and
reduced the severity of the symptoms compared to patients who took their
medical treatment without any nutritional supplementation (Dykman et al. 1998).
We take a closer look at the
essential nutrients and the importance of their role in the physiological
processes in our body. Take zinc, for example. Zinc deficiency can cause
immunodepression, muscle aches and fatigue. There have been studies that found
that zinc levels were lower in patients suffering from CFS compared to those of
healthy women (Dykman et al. 1998). Another important nutrient is vitamin B
complex, particularly vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 is an essential component to
nearly all metabolic processes in the cell, as well as becoming building blocks
for DNA. Fatigue and depression are common symptoms when a person is deficient
in vitamin B12. It is no wonder that low levels of any of these nutrients could
exacerbate the condition and symptoms of CFS sufferers and slow down the
healing process.
For CFS sufferers, it is important
to ensure a healthy diet that contains the right nutrients needed to ensure a
quality life. The unique Lifelixer® formulation is the result of over a decade
of research and development and is a hyper concentrated, patented nutrient
blend, especially designed to provide a plethora of macro and micronutrients in
a convenient supplement form. The formula not only contains essential nutrients
mentioned above such as zinc and vitamin B12, but it also packs vitamin E,
inositol, ginkgo biloba, silica (horsetail herb), soy isoflavones, American
ginseng, beta sitosterol, MSM (Methysulfonylmethane), bovine colostrums and
Fo-Ti-Root.
By addressing a range of
potentially different causative effects the Lifelixer product takes a very
broad brush approach to addressing a wide range of symptoms and potential
causes, considered by the manufacturer to be the most appropriate to this
disease model at this point in time.
Ginkgo biloba can improve
cognitive function such as memory, which can be beneficial to patients
suffering from confusion and forgetfulness due to CFS. Another important herb
mentioned is Fo-Ti-Root which increases energy levels and improves the immunological
processes in the body. American ginseng contains ginsenocides which improves
spatial learning and protects memory impairment. Bovine colustrums contains
many immunoglobulins, or antibodies, that are specific to many kinds of
pathogens, and thus boost the immune system in the body. These are just a few
of the herbs which contain active ingredients that play important roles in
metabolic processes in the cells of the body
It is important to ensure that CFC
sufferers ensure that they are taking in right amount of nutritional
supplements to assist their recovery process and reduce the severity of
symptoms. Staying healthy emotionally and physically also involves eating right
and the first step towards recovery is always to start from the core. If you
provide your body the necessary ingredients it needs to repair itself and boost
certain processes internally, you can then focus on recovering the other parts
by taking your medication regularly, and participating in the psychological and
physical treatments.
