Foods to eat for chronic fatigue syndrome

Living with a rare illness like Chronic Fatigue Syndrome can take you out of the game, but here are  some ways to eat that'll help to get you back on your feet and give you a good chance to go again.

This elusive condition is characterized by so many different symptoms that it is often very difficult to diagnose.

Many other illnesses have symptoms that mimic those of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and for this reason, your health care practitioner will have to rule out a wide range of other illnesses and possible causes of fatigue, such as:

• anemia
• depression
• fibromyalgia
• infection
• diabetes
• heart disease
• thyroid disease
• cancer

Overwhelming and persistent fatigue is the overriding primary symptom of CFS, which is defined as extreme fatigue and malaise not improved with bed rest.

• Symptoms often last for at least six months and interfere significantly with daily living.

The cause of CFS is currently unknown and, as such, is a conundrum to health care practitioners. Numerous medical theories abound, including proposals that CFS is linked with infections such as:

• Epstein-Barr virus (the virus that also causes mononucleosis)
• allergies
• Lyme disease
• im­paired metabolic function
• low blood pressure
• adrenal gland dysfunction
• immune abnormalities
• neurological disturbances
• rheumatic diseases
• disorders of the cen­tral nervous system
• autoimmune disorders
• hormonal problems and cer­tain medications.

Although no single virus has been implicated, many patients with CFS nonetheless report having had a flu-like illness that triggered the symptoms. There is no evidence that CFS is contagious.

Although there is no known cure for CFS, certain nutrients in foods may help to improve symptoms.

• Some of the symptoms of CFS include swollen glands, inflammation of the joints and other flu-like symptoms, all of which may be relieved temporarily by foods rich in essential fatty acids (EFAs).

EFAs may help to block release of inflammatory substances in your body. There may be an abnormality in essential fatty acid metabolism in some people with chronic fatigue syndrome. A particular type of EFA, omega-3 fatty acids, may also help to fight off depression, which often accompanies CFS.

It's possible that consuming foods rich in vitamin B12 could help to minimize the fatigue and depression of CFS. Other B vitamins, such as thiamin, B6 and riboflavin, are instrumental in fighting fatigue by assisting the body in energy production.

• For many people, CFS occurs directly after they have fallen ill from a cold, the flu or an intestinal infection. Therefore, consuming foods rich in vitamin C, will help to fortify a weakened immune system (believed by many to be a factor in CFS).

Zinc promotes the destruction of foreign microorganisms and hinders the growth of viruses such as the common cold, and also helps to enhance and repair the immune system.

• Since a number of people with CFS get headaches and muscle aches, foods rich in magnesium are helpful.

To combat the insomnia that plagues many people with CFS, it could be worth eating foods rich in the amino acid tryptophan, which is converted by your body into the brain chemical serotonin. In particular, carbohydrate-rich meals often help to increase serotonin levels.

According to a recent consensus panel meeting, stress does not cause chronic fatigue syndrome. However, the panelists stated there is good deal of evidence showing that stress can exacerbate existing CFS.

• They also can't decide on a specific cause, but the experts propose that it's probably an infection that triggers the onset of CFS.
• Only one in 10,000 who seek treatment for fatigue actually suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome.

• amaranth
• avocados
• quinoa
• sunflower seeds
• bananas
• dairy products
• peas
• poultry
• beans
• cashews
• clams
• poultry
• pumpkin seeds