Digestive Wellness: Strengthen the Immune System and Prevent Disease Through Healthy Digestion, Fourth Edition (133 page)

Try digestive enzymes.
Pancreatic or vegetable enzymes supply the enzymes that your body needs to digest fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. Products differ. See
Chapter 3
for more information. Take one to two capsules with meals.

Take a multivitamin with minerals.
Because people with CFIDS have difficulty with absorption and utilization of nutrients, a highly absorbable, hypoallergenic nutritional supplement is necessary. Although products that contain herbs, bee pollen, spirulina, and other food factors are good for many people, people with CFIDS often feel worse after taking food-based supplements. Make sure you buy the supplements that are herb and food free. Choose a supplement that contains the following nutrients: 25 to 50 mg zinc, 5,000 to 10,000 IU vitamin A, 10,000 to 25,000 IU carotenes, 200 or more IU vitamin E, at least 200 mcg selenium, 200 mcg chromium, at least 25 mg of most B-complex vitamins, 400 to 800 mcg folic acid, and 5 to 10 mg manganese.

Take vitamin C.
Vitamin C boosts immune function, helps detoxification pathways, and has been shown to have antiviral effects. Clinicians, including me, have found it useful in people with CFIDS. Take 3,000 to 5,000 mg daily. Do a vitamin C flush (detailed in
Chapter 10
).

Increase magnesium.
Magnesium is found in the ATP complex. Found in green leafy vegetables and whole grains, magnesium is involved in more than 300 enzymatic reactions in the body. It is essential for energy production, nerve conduction, muscle function, and bone health. People with CFIDS are often deficient in magnesium. Supplemental magnesium can improve energy levels and emotional states, while decreasing pain. Most people improve with use of oral magnesium supplements, but some need intravenous injections. Physicians can give 1,000 mg magnesium sulfate by injection. In one study, magnesium injections improved function in 12 out of 15 people, compared to only 3 receiving the placebo. Magnesium can be hard for many people to use. Adding 1 teaspoon of choline citrate daily for each 200 mg of magnesium taken can significantly
improve magnesium uptake. Take 500 to 2,000 mg magnesium glycinate, potassium aspartate, malate, or ascorbate. Caution: too much magnesium causes diarrhea.

Try coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10).
CoQ10 is necessary for energy production, immune function, and repair and maintenance of tissues. It also enhances cell function. CoQ10 is widely used in Japan for heart disease and has been researched as an antitumor substance. Take 60 to 300 mg daily.

Take essential fatty acids.
Several studies have shown people with CFIDS to have fatty acid imbalances. In a recent study, a combination of evening primrose oil (primarily omega-3) and fish oil (primarily omega-6) or a placebo of olive oil was given to 70 people with CFIDS. Of the people taking fish and evening primrose oils, 74 percent showed improvement at 5 weeks, and 85 percent showed improvement at 15 weeks. In comparison, the placebo group showed 23 percent improvement at 5 weeks and 17 percent at 15 weeks. Another study of the use of supplemental fatty acids showed improvement in 27 out of 29 people with CFIDS over 12 to 18 weeks. Twenty people who had previously been unable to work full-time for an average of more than three years were able to go back to work full-time after an average of 16 weeks. Sixteen months later 27 out of 28 remained improved, and 20 were still progressing. Do fatty acid testing, and then adjust doses to match your needs.

Add methionine.
Methionine, an essential sulfur-containing amino acid, is commonly deficient in people with CFIDS. It acts as a methyl donor for transmethylation reactions throughout the body, especially in the brain. It also helps sulfoxidation for liver detoxification pathways and is a precursor for other sulfur-containing amino acids such as cysteine and taurine. People with CFIDS probably have an increased need for methionine. Some people find improvement with a general amino acid supplement that supplies methionine, lysine, and carnitine simultaneously. Take 500 to 1,000 mg daily.

Try SAMe
. S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe), a compound that is naturally found in every cell in our body, is made from methionine. Research on SAMe shows it to have powerful antidepressant effects without the side effects of pharmaceutical antidepressant medications. SAMe has also been shown to be as potent an anti-inflammatory drug as indomethacin without the negative side effects in people with arthritis.

Try acetylcarnitine.
The vast majority of people with CFIDS have low levels of acetylcarnitine, although their levels of free carnitine are normal. Carnitine, vital for the conversion of fats into energy, also plays some role in detoxification and is believed to be essential for heart function. Finally, carnitine helps transport
long-chain fatty acids into the mitochondria. Carnitine deficiencies result in muscle weakness, aches, and poor tone. Take 500 mg of carnitine two to four times daily for three months. For those on a budget, L-carnitine will also work.

Try D-ribose.
Ribose is a structural sugar that helps provide energy. Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum did a pilot study with 41 people with either fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome. Overall two-thirds reported benefits, with 45 percent reporting improvements in energy, and 30 percent reporting improvements in overall well-being after about 20 days; several also reported pain reduction. Take 5 grams three times daily, for three weeks, and then reduce to 5 grams twice daily. Mix in a cold, cool, or room temperature beverage.