Category: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Dark Chocolate for Fatigue

Chronic Fatigue

box of xhocolates
image via FDA.gov

When you’re feeling low, some chocolate can often perk you up.

If you are someone who suffers from chronic fatigue syndrome, the flavonoids in chocolate may actually help alleviate your symptoms.

A study published in Nutrition Journal describes how dark chocolate that is rich in polyphenols was more effective in helping subjects manage their chronic fatigue symptoms over eight week periods than those taking “regular” chocolate.[1. https://www.nutritionj.com/content/9/1/55.] Continue reading “Dark Chocolate for Fatigue”

Chronic Fatigue Virus not Associated with Virus XMRV

The Independent reports that US government officials have persuaded the editors of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences to hold off from publishing a scientific paper establishing the link between chronic fatigue syndrome and the virus XMRV. The study supporting the link was headed by virologists working for the Food and Drug Administration, but scientists at the Centers for Disease Control have authored another study that contradicts the FDA findings and finds no trace of XMRV in CF patients.

There has been controversy over this new cause of CF ever since an initial paper was published in the journal Science in October, 2009 as researchers have spoken out on both sides of the issue.  Some see an obvious connection between the virus and chronic fatigue syndrome, while others state that CF sufferers are no more likely to have the virus than healthy people.[1. Retrieved from https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/study-that-solves-chronic-fatigue-syndrome-blocked-2022195.html.]

Update: 2014 recent research does not find such an association.[2. Irlbeck DM, et al. (2014). No association found between the detection of either xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus or polytropic murine leukemia virus and chronic fatigue syndrome in a blinded, multi-site, prospective study by the establishment and use of the SolveCFS BioBank. BMC Res Notes. Aug 4;7:461.]

Update, 2016: Molecular biologists traced the development of XMRV to a propagation of the virus from cell lines in a lab mouse in about 1993.  The virus apparently spread through contamination of lab samples of prostate cancer and/or CFS. “Well-controlled experiments showed that detection of XMRV was due to contaminated samples and was not a marker of or a causal factor in prostate cancer or CFS.”[3. Johnson AD, et al. (2016). Xenotropic Murine Leukemia Virus-Related Virus (XMRV) and the Safety of the Blood Supply. Clin Microbiol Rev.  Oct;29(4):749-57.]

 

Learn more about managing chronic fatigue.

Wi-Fi, Cellphones & EMF Pollution

emf phoneExposure to electromagnetic fields has been considered a potential contributor or cause to many chronic illnesses for about 20 years.  What is becoming more apparent is that EMF pollution when combined with toxins and poor diet makes chronic disease more likely.

  • Toxins are found in foods, the environment, and prescription drugs.
  • Poor diet (standard western diet) is comprised of mostly carbohydrates, too much sugar, too much fat, and foods contaminated by pesticides, herbicides and fungicides.

It has been difficult to do any properly Continue reading “Wi-Fi, Cellphones & EMF Pollution”

5 Reasons to Like Ginseng

ginseng teaA traditional herb has been getting a lot of attention from researchers lately. Ginseng! It came from the Appalachians and Ozarks, where it was used by American Indians as a medicinal herb. In the 1700s, it was sold extensively to Asian traders who promoted its cultivation in China and Korea. It is now cultivated commercially in the Eastern US and upper Midwest.

Adaptogenic not Ergogentic

Ginseng is mostly adaptogenic rather than ergogenic. Two fancy words for two simple concepts. Adaptogenic means better tolerance for physical and mental stress; ergogenic means performance enhancing. Continue reading “5 Reasons to Like Ginseng”