Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is a little understood “disease” that goes beyond chronic fatigue itself. In addition to extreme fatigue, one may have sore throat, tender lymph nodes (under arms and around the neck areas), muscle and/or joint pain, insomnia, headaches and extreme fatigue that lasts longer than 12 hours after exertion. This fatigue is unresolved with sleep.

There are many theories as to why Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (called CFS for short) exists and it is extremely difficult to diagnose. Allopathic, or Western medicine can only provide drugs to treat symptoms such as sleeping pills for insomnia or pharmaceuticals for pain.

It is common for those with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome to have viral infections and a suppressed immune system. Therefore, even mainstream medicine advocates recommend making lifestyle changes such as incorporating a healthy diet and supplementation for increased immune function and energy.

Many of the symptoms of CFS can be linked to environmental toxins such as heavy metals and pesticides. There are tests using blood and hair analysis that can confirm if this is true that you may request by your M.D. or by going to a doctor who is more prone to a holistic and healthy approach. A body cleanse using holistic nutrition such as fresh, organic vegetables, fruits and juices may make a positive difference in one who suffers from CFS.

To help your body cleanse, include certain juices, herbs and foods that may help alleviate symptoms, such as the healing foods listed below. Fortunately, there is no harm to incorporating healthy foods into an everyday, healthy diet. However, if you choose to use medications during this time, whether for chronic fatigue syndrome or any other heath issue, check with your doctor before using nutritional supplements or change in diet. I have also noted some of the well-known precautions that accompany some herbs, below.

Healing Foods for
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Molasses – Rich in organic copper and iron to enhance and build strong blood.

Wheat Germ Oil – Enhances the blood’s capacity to carry energy giving oxygen throughout the body.

Lecithin – Builds strong blood plasma and dissolves sticky deposits in arteries. The freer your blood flows, the more nutrients and oxygen it can carry through your entire body.

Fennel Juice – Add to carrot, celery or fresh fruit juice to help build strong blood plasma.

Red Beet Juice – Aid in a natural body cleanse, helps your body build red blood corpuscles. Use only 1/4 to 1/2 beet in each 16 ounce glass of juice. Juice is best when made and drank fresh. Eating beets will not have the same effect as much of the juice and nutrients stay in the beet fiber -especially if digestion is impaired.

Spinach – Fresh, slightly steamed or in fresh vegetable juice, this dark, leafy green is high in iron therefore helps the body manufacture hemoglobin. (Lack of hemoglobin results in anemia.) Also, note that the iron in spinach is highly assimilated, or used by the body unlike the toxic supplementation of it laboratory counterpart.

Healing Herbs for CFS

Echinacea – is a strong herb that stimulates the immune system. It is said that it can increase immune activity by 60%! Use caution if you are allergic to plants in the daisy family such as ragweed, daisies and marigold. Although rare, if you are allergic to these you may get an allergic reaction to this herb.

Goldenseal – This herb is also known to help the body fight infections.

Kava Kava – A “pepper root” that promotes relaxation. May help calm those with anxiety.

Skullcap and Valerian - both help to promote sleep. Studies show that those who take valerian fall asleep quicker and wake up less during the night.

Ginko Biloba – Improves circulation therefore increases brain function.

Chinese/Korean Ginseng – This herb is known to fight viral infections however do not use if you have high blood pressure, heart problems or hypoglycemia. For those who can use it, start with 1/2 the recommended dosage because it is strong.

Siberian Ginseng – High in antioxidant activity and increases mental alertness.

It is said that natural remedies and herbs are very slow to work. If you have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, this may be discouraging. In fact it could take from 4 weeks to 12 months to see results! This is because in general, natural alternatives are working to assist your body’s natural ability to heal itself, much like how your body is able to heal a scratch or mend a broken bone. But we must give it the tools needed to do so.

But to heal, you also have to help your body detox and clear out harmful substances. Our bodies are naturally strong, however when we bombard it with chemical pesticides, additives, chemical preservatives, poor quality foods and stress, it eventually breaks down. It cannot heal anything if in addition to these external toxins, it must constantly battle internal toxins that have built up over time.

It is these built up toxins that constantly feed back into the blood stream. Your body now not only has to fight the battle of bacteria and virus that we all are exposed to on a daily basis, but now it has to do the internal battle as well. It is for these reasons that we should all start our health programs with a colon cleanse. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is no exception.

Your body is a powerful machine. It can heal a broken bone and it can heal the common cold. There are some bodies that even heal themselves of cancer. No matter what the case, it needs the building blocks to do so. These building blocks are in the form of extra nutrition that can be found in fresh vegetable juices, fresh fruits and vegetables, herbal supplements and whole foods. Incorporate these foods, eliminate processed and junk foods and try some low-level exercise (such as walking and stretching) to begin your healing lifestyle.

Personally, I have had success using various enzymes for my heath issues (due to a long-time viral infection). While they can be strong, I use various enzymes to aid in recovery when my virus flares up, and to protect my body from further damage. If you try enzyme therapy, start very slowly; any reactions will most likely be due to cleansing reactions as the body begins to heal and expel the by product. And as always, check with your doctor, especially if you are using medications.

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