Most cases of CFS-ME will not be turned around by a healthy diet alone. There are various ideas about how to treat CFS-ME with combinations of supplements and lifestyle changes. Many of these are controversial and not accepted fully by the medical profession. However a lot of success is reported using them in alternative practice. Some of the approaches are discussed below.
Mitochondrial theory.
The mitochondrial theory is one espoused by British GP Sarah Myhill. She reports success treating CFS-ME with a range of supplements and drugs whose success she explain in terms of boosting amounts of ATP available to cells to produce energy. Mitochondria produce ATP and the supplements she uses are aimed to boost the functioning of these cellular organelles (energy factories). It is thought that one of the following factors could be responsible for it:
Gut dysbiosis leading to excess H2S which can inhibit mitochondrial function.
- Exposure to environmental toxins (organophosphates etc.)
- Viral exposure (probably the best known)
Her basic approach is to start with pacing, plenty of sleep, a good diet (as above) and a good multi supplement.
If this is not successful she uses the following supplements:
D-ribose (part of ATP); Co Q10 (Helps process that make ATP); Acetyl l-carnitine (Moves energy in and out of mitochondria); NAD (transfers energy to ATP); Magnesium (helps relax muscles); B12 (counters Nitric Oxide which can cause brain fog).
Allergy.
Allergy is thought to be more prevalent among CFS-ME populations. This has implications for the optimal diet that someone with CFS-ME should have. With Nutritional therapy a client is monitored over time on a given diet and incremental changes are often made so that any adverse reactions can be detected and their cause identified. There are also laboratory tests available. The accuracy of these tests vary between the types of allergy being tested for.
Classical allergy is easy to detect both in the laboratory and normally before lab tests are used as immediate responses such as skin rashes and sneezing normally occur.
Delayed allergies are harder to detect and lab test for them are not always accurate. Nevertheless it is known that many people have delayed reactions to some substances or quite often a mixture of substances.
Toxicity: Some people with CFS-ME seem to be affected by various agents such as: Organophosphate Poisoning, Lead, Carbon Monoxide and Mercury. This is thought to be one a a number of possible causes for CFS-ME along with viruses etc.
Prevalence: Heavy metals and pesticides are much more common now than previously due to C19th dental cavity filing (mercury), use of modern farming methods, industrial pollution and modern household products.
