Video Blog: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome CFS – Leaky Gut

Welcome to this week’s video blog. Our main video this week is with Sanna Anderson from out nutrition team talking about the role of Leaky Guy in CFS, ME and Fibromyalgia. For a subgroup of patients with CFS, this explains not only many of the digestive problems they can experience, but also can be the root of food intolerances and allergies. In the usual easy to understand OHC style, Alex and Sanna discuss what Leaky Gut is, what causes it, and what we can do about it.

Our second video clip is from our feature length documentary made in 2006, with Phill Hoskins talking about what it’s like to have energy again.

If you haven’t already ordered you free copy of the DVD, it is included in our information pack, and you can order it at: www.FreedomFromME.co.uk/newvisitor.html

Finally, Alex and Sanna are on the road doing talks in Manchester and Stockport on Thursday and Friday this week – for more information please visit www.FreedomFromME.co.uk/roadshow

Have a great week, and we look forward to speaking with you next week!

Immune system skew in C.F.S. and M.E.

This week we have the latest for you in our series of nutrition videos, this time with Sanna Anderson from the nutrition team, talking about a specific kind of immune balance that we find in some patients which explains why often patients at a certain stage of illness rarely get flu, but often have a lot of allergies.

Video Blog: The delayed fatigue response in M.E., C.F.S. and Fibromyalgia explained

Welcome to this week’s video blog! We were very excited to see that last week’s video blog on the adrenals with Amy Pamment from our nutrition team is already our most popular video to date with over 525 views in the first week! We have a feeling that this week’s video with Tanya Page from our nutrition team explaining mitochondrial function will be equally popular. In addition to a very simple explanation of the delayed fatigue response experienced with M.E., it also involves Alex hitting ping pong balls at the camera person – it will make sense when you watch it!

Far InfraRed Sauna Therapy and Chronic Fatigue

Chronic fatigue can be treated with far infrared sauna therapy. The concept of the sauna has been around since ancient times. Saunas provide a dry hot temperature to raise the body’s temperature to promote the dilation of blood vessels which leads to perspiration through the pores of the skin. This activity releases toxins from the body.

Some patients, especially ones with chronic fatigue cannot tolerate the elevated temperature of the room. Infrared sauna therapy is a directed source of heat light without the need to elevate the temperature of the room. Infrared sauna therapy is less invasive and produces better results than dry saunas.

Infrared sauna improves the body’s circulation and internal congestion. Those that suffer from chronic fatigue will experience improved feeling of well being. Raising the body‘s core temperature kills bacteria and viruses which adds to the overall health benefits of the individual.

Perspiration removes heavy metals, toxins, and radio active particles that can clog the body’s metabolism.

Infrared sauna offers the same benefit of exercise without the effects of exertion. When a person is chronically fatigue, physical exercise can deplete the benefits.

A sauna will inhibit the adrenal response of flight or fight. Sweating induces a relax and digest response which gives the body a stress free benefit.

Infrared sauna therapy loosens tendons and ligaments and relaxes the nervous system responses. This can reduce the pain from chronic fatigue felt in the joints.

Infrared sauna therapy helps the body maintain a balanced PH level which aids in reducing inflammation in patients with chronic fatigue diagnosis.

The increased body temperature hastens the destruction of weaker cells that have been exposed to parasites, bacteria, viruses, radiation, and fungi.

Infrared sauna therapy stimulates the production of proteins that are designed to have an added healing affect on the body.

Deep tissue healing is promoted from sauna therapy.

Reduces pain by increasing circulation, oxygenation, removing toxins and lowering the sensitivity of sympathetic nervous responses.

The benefits of infrared sauna therapy are targeted for anyone with toxins from pesticides, mercury, lead, aluminum, arsenic, nickel and cadmium, patients with multiple chemical sensitivity, low and high blood pressure, cold hands and feet, muscle, joint and nerve pain, and chronic fatigue syndrome.

During infrared sauna therapy treatments negative symptoms may increase. These negative symptoms are actually a sign of healing. Contact your practitioner if they feel these symptoms are too severe. When toxins are removed from the cells they bombard the blood stream and are transported to the liver, kidneys and intestines. This bombardment causes a temporary overload to the body.

Symptoms of overload are fatigue, skin rashes, infections, foul body odor and sensitive to certain foods. For patients with chronic fatigue syndrome the effects will be greater than a healthy person.

Increased bile from the liver may be dumped into the intestines which results in diarrhea or abdominal pain.
Dormant infections may become active due to the body’s reduced immune response.

The thyroid and adrenal gland becomes active trying to combat the bombardment of toxins. This leads to adrenal stress which promotes inflammation, fluctuating blood sugar and can cause sleep disturbances.
Chemicals from drugs that are stored in the cells may be released such as anti biotics. Their release will cause healthy bacteria in the intestines to be reduced which will lead to diarrheoa or constipation.
To reduce the reactions of infrared sauna therapy it is best to shorten the sauna sessions or eliminate them for a short period of time until the symptoms are bearable. Relax frequently. Drink plenty of filtered water and eat light meals. Do not take vitamins or supplements that are not related directly to detoxification. Before beginning infrared sauna therapy introduce other detoxification means such as: enemas, massage, colonics, acupuncture, chiropractor therapy, castor oil packs, or foot reflexology. These detoxification measures are also beneficial to individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms.

Certain precautionary measures are necessary before beginning infrared sauna therapy. Do not wear metal jewelry. Menstrual flow can be increased during sauna therapy. High blood pressure should be monitored as sauna therapy raises the body temperature which directly affects blood pressure. Pregnant or lactating women should have a physicians release before undergoing infrared sauna therapy. Any prosthetic devise that is metal based should be tested in the sauna for short periods of time until a tolerable level of time is determined.

Diabetic should introduce shorter sauna sessions to determine their affect on blood sugar.

Ingestion of LSD or other psychedelic drugs can release of flashback as sauna releases stored chemicals in the tissues of the cell.

Heat stroke may result, although rare, and anyone undergoing infrared sauna therapy should always have an attendant near. Never take an infrared sauna without having support near.

Inflammation and Chronic Fatigue Causes

Inflammation, as dubbed by Time Magazine, is one of the chronic fatigue causes and is a secret killer found to be the foundation for such diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer’s, Multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s, arthritis, heart attacks, Fibromyalgia, allergies, obesity and many more diseases. While many of these diseases are not related nor caused by the other, the one factor they all have in common is inflammation. Inflammation has become (epidemic).

Inflammation is an auto immune response. The body detects an invader, usually a virus, parasite or bacteria and sets of the mechanism to destroy them.  The body’s auto immune response does not decrease, making inflammation one of the chronic fatigue causes. It continues to attack thinking the invader is still present. Symptoms of chronic inflammation are swelling, pain, and redness at the point of irritation.

During the auto immune response pathogens are killed by free radicals. These are oxygen rich particles that injure and kill cells they come into contact with. When they are directed at the invading particles such as bacteria, virus or parasites this is a positive response. These free radicals rid the body of various diseases. When this free radical process goes unchecked, it becomes one of the great chronic fatigue causes, and the cells continue to be bombarded by free radicals to the point of destroying healthy tissue. The free radical process in its normal state is the process of aging. Where the imbalance occurs is when an individual gets one of the above mentioned diseases.

The body does have a natural defense against free radical attack. The presence of anti oxidants lessens the negative effect of free radicals. Chemically, free radicals are oxygen rich and anti oxidants is oxygen deficient. When these two particles come into contact they become stable. The body is no longer under attack and inflammation slows. For the chronic fatigue sufferer this means that the pain, swelling and redness decreases in their joints.

When the body does not have an adequate supply of anti oxidants, free radicals are out of balance and stress on the cellular level occurs. If left unchecked free radicals have a devastating effect on the cell membranes, blood vessels, joints, and nerve endings.

Inflammation is caused by poor eating habits. Type B malnutrition is a diet high in calories, but very low in nutrients. The result is obscenity accompanied by poor health that manifests into low grade infections including urinary tract infections, gum disease, Chlamydia and stomach ulcers. Inflammation becomes epidemic and is one of the major chronic fatigue causes.

Poor Gut health is caused by a poor diet. The immune system is centered in the intestines. If the health of the gut is poor, the immune system will be poor. A diet low in fiber and nutrients will cause an imbalance of good bacteria to bad. This condition is termed gut dysbiosis and is caused by too much sugar, white flour products and highly processed foods. A low fiber diet can lead to constipation which will prevent toxin and bad bacteria from leaving the body. The immune system suffers and can no longer protect the body. Chronic inflammation is the result.

Prolonged stress reduces the intestines ability to maintain a health balance which leads to low grade infection, parasites, attack from parasites, viruses and bacteria. Stress is one of the great chronic fatigue causes because it reduces the presence of cortisol which is a naturally occurring anti inflammatory hormone in the body.

Obesity causes inflammation because fat cells act like immune cells. The higher the concentration of fat cells the higher the concentration of an inflammatory immune response.

Free radical stress triggers the body’s immune response. These oxygen rich particles are aggressive against body tissue. When the invader is a bacterium, virus or parasite this attack is healthy, but left out of balance the present of free radicals can damage healthy tissue.

The environment plays a crucial role in the body’s bombardment from free radicals. The heavy metals-mercury and aluminum, exhaust fumes and pesticides cause a free radial response in the body. Too much sunlight causes sunburn and the body will send out the free radical immune response to heal the damaged skin. Sunburn is extremely painful on the joints and muscles.  Physical exercise causes a free radical response in the body. While a modest amount of exercise is healthy, extreme exercise is counter productive and unhealthy.

Hydrogenated and Trans fats produced from burning vegetable oils causes the release of free radicals. Over or highly processed food, deep fried foods and refined foods when eaten are filled with the broken down oils that create the free radical immune response in the body.

A diet low in anti oxidants becomes one of the chronic fatigue causes.  Foods that are rich in anti oxidants are organic fruits and vegetables.

The smartest approach for an individual suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome is to fight their disease with a nutritional approach. They should avoid foods that contain grain allergens such as: wheat and dairy from cows that have wheat as the mainstay of their diet. These allergens create a chronic inflammatory response in the body. Avoid white flour, sugar, foods high is starch content such as: potatoes. These foods lead to an increase in poor gut health by raising the level of bad bacteria which results in an increase of inflammation.

Reduce the consumption to 3 times per week or avoid altogether consuming red meat. Red meat is high in saturated fats that promote the free radical response in the body. Avoid carbonated beverages, coffee and tea as these are acid promoting and will increase inflammation.

Reduce foods that cause an allergic reaction. Common allergic foods are eggs, tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, aubergines, plums, oranges, and rhubarb. These foods can trigger a reaction of swollen joints, stiffness, and achy muscles found in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms.

The second approach for individuals with Epstein Barr chronic fatigue is to increase those foods that decrease inflammation. Foods to increase are: Fish, lean organic chicken, turkey, and soy grass fed beef.  These foods help maintain a stable blood sugar and keep insulin levels balanced.

Increase the intake of alkalizing foods such as: cherries, carrots, apples, blackberries, cucumbers, pineapple, grapes, kiwi, bananas, kiwi, chard, mixed greens, and spinach.

Use olive oil instead of other vegetables for cooking. Olive oil will not break down and cause the free radical response that the other oils will. Increase intake of foods high in Omega 3 such as: tuna, herring, nuts, sardines, seeds, mackerel, walnuts, flax oil/seeds, and anchovies.

Nuts and seeds also contain Omega 6 which is anti inflammatory.

Foods high in vitamin D should be consumed daily as a deficient of vitamin D cause inflammation in the body. Foods with high concentrations of vitamin D are: eggs, cod liver oil, beef liver and meat, salmon, mackerel, tuna, and herring.

As an alternative to wheat, use rice, spelt, barley, millet, guinoa or amaranth.

Anti inflammatory spices such as cayenne, rosemary, and turmeric should be added to food whenever possible.

An alternative to dairy milk that was obtained from cows that consumed wheat is rice, almond or soy milk.

Lifestyle changes can help reduce inflammation for the patient with a chronic fatigue diagnosis. Proper mouth hygiene: daily brushing, flossing and rinsing will reduce the presence of gum disease.

A limit amount of sunshine daily from 20-30 minutes is healthy and will increase the absorption of vitamin D. Avoid sunburn, though as this is pro-inflammatory.

Increase physical exercise to 30-60 minutes up to 5 times a week. This increase in physical exercise will help lubricate the body’s joints, increase metabolism and strengthen muscles. If an individual with chronic fatigue syndrome exercised more than the recommended amount the effects can be unhealthy.

Create a plan for reducing stress. Added stress from the workplace, home, or social situations causes hormones to become imbalanced and that leads to inflammation.