Myalgic Encephalopathy

Myalgic Encephalopathy (ME) is a poorly understood condition, which is reflected by the fact that it has been given so many different labels. These include Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome (PVFS) and Tired All The Time (TATT), just to name a few. It has been argued that some of these names, such as Tired All The Time, need to change because of the stigma attached to them that greatly undermines the condition - which for the majority of sufferers is extremely debilitating (Am J Community Psychol 2002, 30(1):133-148). This situation is not helped by the fact that some doctors still refuse to recognise that the disorder even exists.

It's hardly surprising that sufferers are often left feeling extremely angry, frustrated and let down if they have been met with this attitude after visiting their GP about their symptoms. Imagine being told that the overwhelming and persistent tiredness, painful muscles and joints, dizziness and nausea you're enduring on a daily basis are simply a 'figment of your imagination'. Unfortunately, this is a disturbing reality for many of the 25,000 Myalgic Encephalopathy (ME) sufferers in the UK.

While some sufferers only experience mild symptoms, in the majority of cases they are so severe that sufferers' lives are totally disrupted. Aside from those symptoms already mentioned, Myalgic Encephalopathy (ME) can also cause an inability to think clearly, low motivation, disturbed sleep patterns, lowered immunity resulting in frequent infections, abdominal pains and bloating, diarrhoea, anxiety, irritability and depression - all of these symptoms are accompanied by chronic fatigue.

The effects of these symptoms can be devastating - forcing sufferers to give up work and social activities completely and leaving them totally housebound for months or even years in some cases, which can be extremely isolating. It doesn't help that it is still not known exactly what causes the condition, although many factors have been linked to triggering it such as a poor diet with a heavy reliance on processed foods, prolonged stress, hypersensitivity to vaccinations, artificial food additives, smoking, alcohol, viral infections and repeat courses of antibiotics.

Orthodox drugs can cause insomnia - the very last thing a person suffering from Myalgic Encephalopathy (ME) needs
Those doctors who do recognise the condition often prescribe antidepressants, such as Prozac and amitriptyline, to try and improve fatigue, mental exhaustion and depression. These drugs work by boosting neurotransmitters like serotonin in the brain, which help improve mood and feelings of well-being. However, there are numerous side effects linked to their use including nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, headaches, dizziness, confusion... and, ironically, insomnia.

Anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and diclofenac may also be prescribed, mainly to reduce muscle and joint pain. However, they do nothing to improve fatigue and can cause side effects such as diarrhoea, indigestion and abdominal bleeding.

How to create more fuel for your body to burn
Fortunately, natural remedies can help sufferers make a full recovery from Myalgic Encephalopathy (ME). However, it is important to realise that there is no magic cure and recovery can be a slow process that can take months in some cases. Many alternative practitioners believe that Myalgic Encephalopathy (ME) is the result of prolonged stress and lowered immunity, both of which can disrupt many of the body's vital functions. For this reason, natural treatments are recommended that help boost immunity, reduce stress and increase energy levels.

Recent research carried out at the Department of Neurology, Medical College Hospital in Kerala, India, has shown that many Myalgic Encephalopathy (ME) patients have low levels of antioxidants in their blood. In particular, their findings revealed that levels of the antioxidants coenzyme Q10 and glutathione were significantly reduced, whereas levels of toxic metabolic waste such as aldehydes, nicotine, strychnine and nitric oxide were dangerously high (Int J Neurosci 2003, 113(5):683-701). This research has helped shed some light on the possible causes of Myalgic Encephalopathy (ME), suggesting that free radicals may be largely to blame.

As a regular reader of NHR you'll probably know that free radicals are toxic by-products of your metabolism that are produced during periods of prolonged stress and exposure to pollutants like cigarette smoke. They are normally kept under control by natural antioxidants in your body, such as coenzyme Q10 and glutathione. However, low levels of antioxidants can cause the numbers of free radicals circulating in your body to increase, which is known to contribute to serious diseases like cancer and now, possibly, Myalgic Encephalopathy (ME). Coenzyme Q10 is particularly beneficial not only for its antioxidant action but also because it improves the production of energy within your cells - thereby helping to reduce fatigue. The recommended dosage is 30mg of coenzyme Q10 a day.

Carnitine is another excellent energy booster. It plays an important role in the conversion process of fat into energy. The recommended dosage is 250mg in the form of L-carnitine one to two times a day (Alt Med Rev 2000, 5(2):93-108).

NADH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), the active coenzyme form of vitamin B3, is another biochemical factor involved in energy production. In addition, it stimulates the production of certain brain chemicals, such as dopamine, which help improve muscle function and overall well-being. American researchers from the University of Washington recently conducted a study involving 26 patients with Myalgic Encephalopathy (ME). Half of the participants were given 10mg of NADH a day, while the other half received placebo (dummy treatment). At the end of the 4-week study, 31 per cent of patients receiving NADH reported significant improvements in their symptoms - including tiredness, mental exhaustion, headaches and dizziness - compared to the placebo group (Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 1999, 82(2):185-191).
As a guide, 10mg of NADH is recommended each day. However, dosage is very much dependent on the severity of your individual symptoms and your activity level - so make sure you check with your health practitioner first.

4 Simple Ways To Reclaim Your Energy And Your Life
1. While moderate exercise can help, too much can aggravate fatigue. If you over-exercise then you may set yourself back for several days afterwards and make your symptoms worse. On the other hand, not being active is equally damaging as some exertion is necessary to help build up your muscle strength and stamina. It's a good idea to begin by doing very gentle exercises like walking. Aim to walk for 20 minutes three days a week and build up gradually from there if you feel able to do so.

2. A simple but extremely effective way to combat exhaustion. It may sound like old news, but the importance of drinking adequate amounts of water really can't be stressed enough. Dehydration causes dryness and over-acidity of your body's tissues, and essential body processes slow right down - especially the removal of waste products via your lymphatic system. This causes fatigue as energy production virtually grinds to a halt.

3. A high-protein diet helps reverse flagging energy levels. A high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet helps build up muscle tissue and reduces excess weight which may contribute to your fatigue. In particular, you should aim to supply your brain with good levels of tryptophan, as low levels of this amino acid can cause tiredness, depression and mental confusion. So eat more tryptophan-rich foods like lentils, beans, seeds and nuts. In addition, make sure you avoid salt and processed foods in your diet, and cut out stimulants such as sugar, caffeine, alcohol and tobacco.

4. Take steps to reduce stress. Due to the fact that stress has been linked to Myalgic Encephalopathy (ME), it's important that you try and lower stress in your daily life as much as possible. Yoga is an incredibly powerful way of helping your body learn how to relax and ridding your mind of anxious thoughts.