Nutritional Support

Nutritional Support
The Three Suggested
Information for Use
Marginal Dehydration
Medicinal Herbs

Nutritional Support

Nutritional supplementation can support the body in its healing. These are not "quick fix" products and you may not notice any changes immediately. They slowly support the body so that it can get on with the job of healing.

A good multiple vitamin, mineral (without iron if you are a post-menopausal woman), a Vitamin B complex plus high doses of B12 and a calcium/magnesium supplement are helpful to most people.

Although they may be helpful later, we suggest that people do not introduce whey, inositol, glutathione or its precursors, acidopholus/bifidus, coconut oil, pregnenalone, DHEA, melatonin or similar supplements at the same time that they start the C-HP remedies. The resultant adjustment may be too much for the body to make all at once. If one is already taking these supplements at a stable dose and their body has adjusted to them when they start the C-HPs, these supplements should not present any problems.

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The Three Investigated

After considering a long list, we decided to focus on three supplements as potentially the most helpful to people with FMS/CFS, plus the general vitamin and mineral supplements listed at the beginning of this page. The three we choose to focus on are deep sea fish oil for EFA supplementation, desiccated adrenal to provide enzymes and hormones for adrenal support, and grape seed extract for its antioxidant properties.

We suggested supplementation of at least one of these three might be helpful to 250 people. The following chart shows the number of times we did NOT suggest one of these three to the 250 people considered.

Supplement	Number of people supplement was NOT suggested to
Deep Sea Fish Oils	0
Adrenal Support	6
Grape Seed Extract	25

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Information for Use

The following information is for general education purposes only. consult with your medical practitioner to establish your specific needs. Please see our Disclaimer.

1) Deep Sea Fish Oils

We feel that much of FM/CFS is exacerbated when the body cannot respond to a stressful event (physical injury, virus infection etc.) due to an insufficient supply of Essential Fatty Acids. Among many other effects, this affects kidney and adrenal function. EFA supplementation can be accomplished by using 2 teaspoons of Flax oil with salad dressing, plus taking 2 to 4 1000mg capsules of deep sea fish oil (preferably wild salmon and definitely not cod liver oil) with EACH meal. It seems like a large amount only because most people take it in capsule form for palatability reasons.

A maintenance dose is 1 to 2 1000mg capsules with each meal.

Keeping the fish oils in the refrigerator after purchase helps maintain their freshness. A "burp" sometimes happens with a fishy after taste. If the after taste is really objectionable, it is likely that the fish oils have deteriorated and you need a fresher supply. If you experience any nausea, begin with a lower amount, build up slowly, and take in the middle of meals. It can also be helpful to take food enzymes along with the fish oils for easier digestion. Some people find the "burping" occurs less if the fish oils are taken on an empty stomach or at the start of meals.

As well, Vitamin E and a multi vitamin should be part of your vitamin intake in any case, and especially when you are taking fish oils.

There are two high-quality trials of essential fatty acids reported beneficial effects from supplementation for people with FM/CFS.

Behan PO, Behan WM, Horrobin D. Effect of high doses of essential fatty acids on the postviral fatigue syndrome. Acta Neurol Scand 1990;82:209-16.
Warren G, McKendrick M, Peet M. The role of essential fatty acids in chronic fatigue syndrome: a case-controlled study of red-cell membrane essential fatty acids (EFA) and a placebo-controlled treatment study with high dose of EFA. Acta Neurol Scand 1999;99:112-6.)

2) Desiccated Adrenal

While we suggested desiccated adrenal for adrenal support initially, we now feel Bach's Rescue Remedy is a better vehicle for those who need adrenal support. It is a homeopathic available in most health food stores and can be taken according to the directions on the bottle.

3) Grape seed

Take as directed on the label. Some report that because of its plant source, this product does contain Salicylic acid. If that is of concern, there are many other antioxidants that can be used, such as Co Q10 or Vitamin C.

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Marginal Dehydration

We have recently started to test people for marginal dehydration. In a number of people muscle spasms are reduced when they supplement with electrolytes. These tend to be the people most likely to think that they would not be dehydrated, as they drink much more than others normally do.

For those who may be marginally dehydrated, we recommend an electrolyte solution from the pharmacist. These are non-prescription and usually available in both pediatric and adult preparations. In some countries, the adult preparation includes aspertame, and we suggest you do not use aspertame. In this case, use the children's solution. Unflavoured is usually best - the flavour is not objectionable and the solution can be mixed with fruit juice, or for those on the hg diet, can be flavoured with stevia and cake flavouring extracts. Dr. Cheney recommends a product called Gookinaid. It does contain glucose and phosphates. There are several products available on line that do not contain glucose. Most of these contain phosphates, but people report it does not appear to be a high enough concentration to affect the phosphate test kit results.

Drink 1/2 glass 1-2 times/day or more if you crave more. You will find that you get very thirsty at first. It is as if the cells are finally able to take in the water and now REALLY want it. As your body re-balances, this thirst will pass. When it does, taper off the electrolyte if you wish, go with what you feel you would like. Keep drinking 1/2 glass day as long as you are having muscle spasms, particularly in the calves (assuming you are taking calcium, magnesium and folic acid in your mineral supplements). As well, frequent urination, in the absence of infection, diabetes or other medical problems, may improve with sufficient electrolytes. If this is a problem, continue the electrolytes.

Caution 1: If you are prone to urinary bladder irritation, citrates and citric acid can worsen that condition. Most of the commercial electrolyte solutions contain citrates. The following recipe would be preferable for you to use in this case. If you are not hypoglycemic, add some sugar, as it does help with absorption of the electrolytes.

Caution 2: If you are hypoglycemic, the glucose in the commercial solutions can be problematic.Use the recipe below instead.

RECIPE:

The following recipe is cheaper and bypasses citrates and glucose. We find the commercial product slightly preferable, where it can be used. Other recipes can be found on FMS-RECOVERY archives around September 5, 2002

1/8 tsp. "NO SALT" salt substitute (check to make sure that it is potassium that is being used as the salt subsitute, various brands in various countries differ)1/8 tsp. sea salt
1 cup seltzer water ( also called soda water, pop, check the ingredients to make sure it has been made"fizzy" with sodium bicarbonate)
1 cup spring water (also called still water, - do not use tap water)
Few drops vanilla flavouring and Stevia to taste

Cool for better absorption, and taste
Add sugar if not hypoglycemic

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Medicinal Herbs

There are many herbs, Chinese, North American and from other locales, that can be helpful in healing from FM/CFS and many other diseases. Herbs make various substance which, used correctly, can be of benefit to us. All plants, including herbs used for medicinal purposes, make salicylic acid to protect themselves. Salicylic acid is the substance found in Aspirin and other pain relievers and anti-inflammatories and was originally extracted by boiling willow bark.

All dried herbs, herbal extractions, and some highly processed herbs contain salicylic acid. As well, many cosmetic products, especially facial products, include salicylic acid in their ingredients.

For this reason, we suggest that people not take herbal pills, or drink aloe vera juice or medicinal teas when they begin the C-HP Kidney remedies. It does not make sense to be trying to remove accumulated salicylic acid with one remedy and to be putting it back in with another at the same time. It appears that once the kidney tubules are strengthened, people can take herbal products in varying degrees without the salicylic acid affecting their tubules. Once people are taking the kidney remedy, they can monitor their individual response to salicylic acid and its effect on their tubules by using the phosphate test kits. For more information on salicylic acid see salicylic acid.

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