Guest Author - Carolyn Chambers Clark, RN, EdD

What is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is a group of symptoms that includes fatigue, reduced activity level, aching muscles and joints, back and head pain, coldness, weakness, tremors, fevers, sleep disturbance, sweats, secondary infections, yeast infections, allergies, constipation, nausea, urine retention, appetite disorders, light and sound sensitivity, swollen glands, heart palpitations, anxiety, depression, memory lapses, irritability, jaundice, mood swings, sore throat, swollen glands, loss of balance, and mood swing. The symptoms resemble the flu and other viral infections, so it is often mistaken for them.

What is the cause of CFS?

The cause of chronic fatigue syndrome is not well understood. Possible causes include:

*Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)
*chemical and/or food sensitivities
*immune system problems
*defect in blood pressure regulating mechanisms
*anemia
*chronic mercury poisoning from amalgam dental fillings
*infection with Candida albicans (yeast infection)
*sleep problems
*low blood sugar
*inactive thyroid gland
*magnesium deficiency

What you can do to have more energy

* eat foods rich in B vitamins such as sunflower seeds, green peas, soybeans, lima beans, crabmeat, brown rice, asparagus, wheat germ, chicken, hazelnuts, peanuts, hickory nuts, spinach, kale, and peas

*eat foods rich in C vitamins (green peppers, honeydew melon, Brussels sprouts, strawberries, papaya, watercress, raspberries, parsley, raw cabbage, blackberries, onions, sprouts, and tomatoes)

*eat foods high in magnesium (figs, green leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, whole grain breads and cereal, brown rice, wheat germ and soy flour)

*eat foods high in zinc (oysters, nuts, wheat germ, oysters and herring)

*eat foods high in essential fatty acids (mackerel, herring, whitefish, tuna, walnuts, Brazil nuts, sunflower and pumpkin seeds, olive oil, flaxseed oil, and green leafy vegetables)

*eat foods rich in iron (kidney beans, molasses, whole grain breads and cereals, beets, cherries, red cabbage, spinach, cucumbers, tomato juice, fish, coconuts, blackberry juice and green leafy vegetables)

*to ward off yeast infections replace the friendly flora your gut by taking L. Acidophilus, or lactobacillus, or bidfidobacteria, avoid sugar and eats lots of soy and fish protein, lots of fresh vegetables, olive oil, nuts (without oil), seeds (sunflower, pumpkin, sesame), legumes (dried beans and peanuts), whole grains (if tolerated), and small amounts of fruit (if tolerated).

*avoid all saturated fats (meat, cheese, eggs) sweets, refined flours and cereals, caffeine (coffee, tea, chocolate), alcohol, dairy products (they contain tryptophan, an amino acid known for its sedative effects), salt (unless you have low blood pressure), any mold-containing foods if you are sensitive (e.g., MSG, food dyes, food colors, preservatives, mushrooms and aged cheeses and wines), and allergic foods (that bloat, give you gas, make you feel tired, give you a headache or other negative symptoms after you eat them)

*get regular exercise and try acupressure or massage to help you relax


This article is excerpted from THE AMERICAN HOLISTIC NURSES' GUIDE TO COMMON CHRONIC CONDITIONS: SELF-CARE INFORMATION TO COMPLEMENT YOUR DOCTOR'S ADVICE, by Carolyn Chambers Clark. For more information, consult the book, available at www.amazon.com.

This article is for information purposes only. For treatment, consult your health care practitioner