The Pillars of Health and An Invisible Line

Several people have written to us recently expressing their concern over the high price of the supplements they take for their CFS/ME and FMS. One gentleman complained that he spends close to $400 per month on this cause, none of which is covered by medical insurance. He did not know how he could keep going at that pace, and I don't blame him for complaining.

I think now is a good time to take a step back and ask ourselves how important supplements are in supporting the health of patients suffering from CFS/ME and FMS.

First, let me make it clear that nutritional supplements are intended to supplement your diet. This means that the vast majority of your nutrients should come from the food you eat - not from a vitamin bottle. It's your diet that provides most of the minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, enzymes, co-enzymes, fatty acids, and countless other nutrients that your body needs and craves. They are not all going to come from those expensive supplements you take!

Let's put supplements in perspective. A successful self-treatment program for ME/CFS/FMS must include sleep, diet, exercise, and stress reduction. Together, these are the pillars of health and healing.   more

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On the Rationale for Selecting ME/CFS

Since the Name Change Advisory Board announced its decision to call for changing CFS to ME/CFS (with the ME standing for myalgic encephalopathy), "there has been a flurry of comments, pro and con," writes Karen Lee Richards, a leading CFS journalist. "Acknowledging that there is no perfect name, in my opinion they made the best possible choice. Although I was not at the board meeting, I'd like to offer what I think was the rationale behind the selection of ME/CFS."   more

What is an Encephalopathy?

ME (for myalgic encephalopathy) is proposed as a replacement for 'Chronic Fatigue Syndrome' in the U.S. Some claim this is a psychiatric diagnosis and so supports the 'all in your head' theory. But that's quite wrong, says Charles Shepherd, MD, a leading specialist in the UK.   more

Tips for Winning a Disability Case - And What Happens at a Hearing

The practical advice of an Atlanta-based Social Security Disability lawyer, based on the many cases he's handled for patients with CFS, FM, and other chronic illnesses.*   more

Whole-Genome ME/CFS Study Resumes

After a long interruption owing to funding problems, a revolutionary study detailing the genetic origins of ME/CFS resumed this month. Many abnormalities are already implicated.   more

Diabetes 2 "In the Genes"

A new study identified several genes associated with increased susceptibility to 'adult onset' diabetes 2 - a particular risk among ME/CFS & FM patients.   more

It's a Fact

By January 31, the CDC's Public Awareness TV spot on CFS "had aired 4,425 times in 122 markets on 180 TV stations," the Associated Press reports.

Making the Most of Your Doctor Visits

Lucinda Bateman, MD, outlines step-by-step how she helps her own CFS patients get the most benefit from their office visits. Readers can access her lecture free online, as an example of the educational presentations recorded at the IACFS conference.*   more

Interstitial Cystitis Study Recruiting to Identify Genetic Markers

Every 15 seconds a person in the U.S. is diagnosed with interstitial cystitis - a painful pelvic/urinary tract condition frequently co-occurring with FM, IBS, and ME/CFS. This international study is recruiting IC patients ages 8 and up.   more

• Selenium plus multivitamins linked to reduced prostate cancer risk
  
  
• High flavonoid diet linked to lower diabetes, CVD, cancer mortality
  
  
• Study links glucosamine supplementation, RA pain reduction*
  
  
• Quercetin may be beneficial in Interstitial Cystitis; early diagnosis urged*
  
  
• Insight into why Pycnogenol® has 'antidiabetic effect'*
  
  
• Whey & soy protein equally effective post-exertion muscle builders
  
  

• Munchausen diagnosis serves economic vested interests, not children
  
  
• CFS patients' elevated RNase-L not likely linked to disordered sleep
  
  
• ADHD drug therapy ameliorates FM & CFS pain & fatigue symptoms*
  
  
• More evidence of disordered HPA-axis function in CFS patients
  
  
• Disordered HPA-axis found in CFS, not in cases of 'severe fatigue'
  
  

The world is a rose; smell it and pass it to your friends.
- Persian proverb

To Try Another Way

How many times have we said, "I can't do that any more?" For some things this may be true. For others we don't know unless we try. In our early stages of learning to manage our pain, we...were consumed by fear. When we tried to do something, the result was "I can't." We had found our safety net, a way of protecting ourselves.

As we learn to manage our pain, we will better understand our limitations. Our attitude will shift from one of fear to one of, "I might not be able to do that, but I'll try another way." With this change of attitude comes a change in options.

From Living With Chronic Pain One Day At A Time, by Mark Allan Zabawa

Published by ProHealth, Inc., ImmuneSupport.com is the Web's largest resource for Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Since 1988, ProHealth has raised and donated over 2.61 million dollars to CFS and FM research and advocacy groups seeking a cure. We believe in "commerce with compassion."

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