Video Blog: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: muscle pain – psychology and physiology

Welcome to this week’s video blog.  This week we have the second of our videos in our groundbreaking new series looking at the different symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome and ME from the perspectives of both the psychology and nutrition team.  For this video Anna (Director of Psychology) and Tanya (Director of Nutrition) are looking at muscle pain, a symptom experienced by many patients, and obviously a lot more prevalent in fibromyalgia (which we have a specific video coming up on).  This video explains the role of hyperventilation in muscle pain, the mechanisms of how stress affects muscle pain, the relationship of magnesium to muscle pain, and a lot more!

In response to feedback that two new videos a week is rather a lot for patients to go through (we do get a bit carried away!), we’ve decided to change the format of newsletters to one video a week, along with one transcript.  The transcripts will be starting from late August, so in the meantime, you’ll be getting an easier load with just one video for a few weeks.  Enjoy!

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!

Eczema and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Eczema and chronic fatigue syndrome are both categorized as inflammatory diseases that can be caused or irritated by allergic reactions to food and stress. Eczema’s symptoms are dry itchy patches of skin, swollen tissue and sometimes bleeding open wounds.

Stress and exhaustion can cause the symptoms of eczema and chronic muscle fatigue to worsen. Certain trigger foods will cause the symptoms of these conditions to appear more severe as well as too much consumption of coffee and tea. Exposure to extreme weather conditions-both hot and cold will affect eczema and the inflammatory response in the chronic fatigue sufferer.

Eczema and chronic fatigue can be caused by a condition called leaky gut. This condition arises when there is an imbalance of healthy bacteria to unhealthy bacteria in the intestines. On a cellular level this occurs when the lining of the gut becomes vaporous and toxins and undigested food particles then leak into the bloodstream. The body then interprets these as invaders which cause the immune system to react. The result is joint pain, fatigue, asthma and head ache.

Leaky gut is caused by too much stress, environmental toxins, chemicals, and parasites. Foods high in sugar, white flour and wheat feed the bad bacteria which lowers the protective lining. When this balance of good bacteria (80%) to bad bacteria (20%) gets out of balance the individual will experience leaky gut symptoms. When the same individual also suffers from eczema or chronic fatigue syndrome the result is extreme pain, swelling, and tenderness surrounding the skin and joint areas of the body. Eczema and individuals with Epstein Barr chronic fatigue should avoid the following foods: coffee, tea, chocolate, beef, citrus, peanuts, eggs, wheat, alcohol, and tomatoes. These foods are either too acidic or produce an acidic level in the body. Food preservatives, colorings, pesticides, refined and processed foods should be avoided as they can cause an allergic trigger reaction to individuals with eczema and they will increase the likelihood of inflammation in individuals that suffer from chronic fatigue.

Foods that should be present in the diet of eczema suffer are pesticide free fruits and vegetables. An abundance of foods that keep the gut healthy are cabbage, beans, lentils, garlic, oats, onions, leaks, salsify, Jerusalem artichoke and fresh ginger.

Salmon, anchovies, tuna, herring, and sardines are high in omega 3 oil and assist in reducing inflammation and assists in healing the affected areas of skin. Replace pear juice with orange juice as it is too acidic for persons with chronic fatigue syndrome and eczema.

Avocado oil and wheat germ oil contain high levels of vitamin E which promotes healing of the skin and reduces inflammation.

Omega 6 oils refined from nuts and seeds promote healthy skin and reduce inflammation.

Allergic responses to dairy products are common with individuals suffering from chronic fatigue and eczema and suitable substitutions can be found with oat, soy, buffalo, and rice milk.

A concentrated vegetable/fruit juice made with carrot, apple, cucumber, cabbage, celery, raw ginger, beetroot, radish and artichoke or any combination of the above will provide a nutrient packed drink that will promote a healthy gut and reduce the symptoms of inflammation.

Stress can inflame the symptoms of eczema suffers. Lifestyles changes that promote the reduction of stress such as: yoga, meditation, exercise, and tai chi will reduce stress and strengthen the joints for chronic fatigue sufferers.

Aromatherapy can relax the mind as well as the body. Massage oils will sooth the sore joints and muscles and promote healing of the skin. Constipation may develop when an individual in under stress. It is important to keep the bowel and liver clean as these areas are critical in keeping the gut healthy.

Eczema and chronic fatigue sufferers should avoid shampoos and soaps with a lot of added chemicals as these cause skin irritation.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Leaky Gut

Chronic fatigue syndrome patients experience a condition commonly called leaky gut. The technical term for this is intestinal hyper permeability, which means the intestines have lost the ability to prevent food particles and toxins from entering the blood stream.

This leaking of nutrients and particles into the bloodstream stimulates the immune system to take a response. Patients with chronic fatigue symptoms have an already depleted immune system and have difficulty combating the effects of leaky gut.

Not only does the individual lose toxic particles, but they lose healthy bacteria that line the intestines as well. These good bacteria are critical for the absorption of the B vitamins, vitamin K and aid in the absorption of nutrients from partially digested food.

Causes of leaky gut have been attributed to low stomach acid. This condition lets a high percentage of undigested food and bacteria into the intestine. For the person suffering from chronic fatigue syndrom this bombardment into the intestines only adds to their condition of lethargy, poor memory, muscle and tendon ache, constipation or diarrhea, and sluggish metabolism.

Proper diet can help offset the symptoms of leaky gut. Peppermint, ginger, herbal tea, rosemary and fennel aid in digestion . Foods that raise the level of stomach acid will help alter the food in the stomach before it reaches the intestine. Introducing pre biotic foods into the diet will help increase the strength of good bacteria. Pre biotics are foods that contain non-digestible fibre that promotes the growth of good bacteria in the intestines. Artichokes, onions, garlic, oats, leaks, bananas, and soybeans are examples of pre biotic foods.  An increase of fiber will also help in digestion and move toxins through the intestines before they can leak into the blood stream.  While increasing purified water is suggested for patients with chronic fatigue and leaky gut water should be introduced after the meal. The reason for this is that water dilutes stomach acid and if an individual already suffers from low stomach acid adding water will lower the acid level further. Individuals should drink 12-16 glasses of water daily between meals as this aids in the reduction of constipation and helps clean the bowel

Foods to avoid are sugar and white flour products. These foods prevent the growth of good bacteria and encourage the presence of bad bacteria in the stomach and intestines.

Intake of protein should be monitored until the stomach acid level has increased. If protein sits too long in the stomach undigested it will cause the growth of bad bacteria and could putrefy and make the individual physically ill. Individuals with chronic muscle fatigue need a high level of absorption of protein to bolster their cells and reduce inflammation. If the protein is left undigested in the stomach this will only add to the leaky gut and discomfort for the individual.

Leaky gut is directly affected by stress. If an individual experiences high levels of stress without periods of relaxation stomach acid levels decline. This results in the intestines inability to filter out bad bacteria and toxins. The individual will become chronically fatigued and unable to fight off further stress.

Gentle exercises such as yoga, Pilates, stretching, meditation or whatever activity encourages an individual to move gently and increase their breathing will aid in reducing the effects of leaky gut.