How I Overcame Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Naturally

By Melissa Diane Smith

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome turned my life upside down and seemed unbearable at times, but it turned out to be one of the best things that ever happened to me. It didn't feel that way at the time I was experiencing it, though. Imagine sleeping 14 hours a day, being too tired to do even the simplest things, trying to work around unmanageable food allergies and feeling like you had the flu every day of your life. This was not how I imagined life in my mid-20s!

Even worse than how I felt physically was how I felt emotionally. I was frustrated and often depressed because I could no longer work or even socialize and because no one including myself could understand why I couldn't get better. The hardest blow came when doctors told me the Epstein-Barr virus I had would be with me for life. I couldn't imagine a fate worse than that.

After a period of two years in which I saw eight conventional doctors who either did nothing for me or gave me drugs that made me feel worse, I knew I had to try something different. Trained as a journalist, I decided to devote whatever energy and attention I could muster and all the investigative skills I had to research health and immunity.

What I found surprised me. I couldn't believe how many toxic chemicals are in our commercial food supply. Trans-fats, nitrates and nitrites, pesticides, antibiotics, steroids, artificial colors and countless other chemicals -- these are all substances that have been proven harmful and taxing to our immune systems. Other chemicals in the home, work and environment also overburden our immune systems.

Although this information was depressing, I fortunately ran into an impressive array of encouraging news. The most empowering thing I learned is there are plenty of natural ways we can build our immunity and regain our health. We just need to put this knowledge into action in our lifestyles -- and that's exactly what I did!

Cleaning Up My Act
The first step I took was to eliminate as many unnecessary immune-suppressing chemicals as possible from my life. That meant avoiding products containing unnatural, unpronounceable ingredients and turning instead to whole foods to get the quality nutrition my body so desperately needed. It also meant getting rid of toxic, chemical-based toiletries and cleaners and using vegetable- or herb-based products in their place.

The more I learned, the more I knew there was no way my body could overcome an opportunistic virus such as Epstein-Barr, one of the contributing factors in chronic fatigue syndrome, without optimal nutrition. Nutritional supplementation seemed like one of the best ways to strengthen my defensive troops.

I used vitamins A, C, E and the mineral selenium for their immune-enhancing benefits and the B-complex vitamins and an adrenal glandular supplement to help me handle stress better. I learned quickly, however, that the two most essential nutrients for my recovery were vitamin B6 and zinc. These two nutrients are crucial for key aspects of immune integrity and are commonly deficient in the average American diet. In my case, vitamin B6 and zinc gave me great relief from the consistent sore throat, fatigue and depression I was experiencing as well as from the premenstrual symptoms I developed when my illness began.

Black currant seed oil was another key component of my nutritional arsenal. The essential fatty acids (EFAs) it supplies lessened my joint aches better than any other supplement. The EFAs also fortified my immunity because of their ability to strengthen cell walls so they're less permeable to attack by viruses and other infectious agents.

Homeopathy was an entirely new healing discipline to me, but I tried it when I began seeing a holistic doctor who used it in her practice. My doctor prescribed individualized homeopathic remedies based on my condition and constitution, and I was surprised at how well these worked. I also took combination cold-and-flu homeopathic remedies every time I felt I might be coming down with something.

This worked well most of the time, but if I did succumb to some new illness, I learned through experience that the following supplements gave me extra virus-fighting support: the amino acid L-lysine, the herbs lomatium, osha and echinacea, and a glandular complex of thymus, spleen and lymph tissue. I also used a lot of garlic, a tried-but-true remedy used throughout the ages to boost the immune system and ward off viral, bacterial, fungal and parasitic agents.

One herb, milk thistle, was a life-saver for me. The active ingredient in milk thistle, silymarin, is known to cleanse and protect the liver, a powerhouse organ that detoxifies chemicals in our system, helps build healthy blood and plays a crucial role in digestion, absorption and metabolism of all the nutrients we receive from food. Chronic fatigue syndrome patients often have inflamed livers that function poorly, and the fatigue that comes from a malfunctioning liver produces listlessness and loss of will -- trademarks of the disease. In my case, taking milk thistle helped increase my energy level and reduce my food and chemical sensitivities.

Finding the Best Diet
As helpful as natural remedies were for me, I knew nothing could replace the role of a healthy diet in restoring and maintaining my health. In an effort to find the best immune-supporting diet for me, I tried several of the popular (and recommended) vegetarian, macrobiotic and high-carbohydrate diets. To my amazement, I grew weaker and sicker every time I went on one.

I couldn't understand why until I learned about often overlooked nutrition information about grains. Although they form the bulk of high-carbohydrate diets and are healthy foods for many individuals, grains eaten in excess can be detrimental to immune-compromised individuals. Grains are high in phytic acid and fiber, two substances that interfere with the body's absorption of several key minerals including zinc.

In addition, grains, beans and nuts are all high in copper, a mineral that's antagonistic to zinc. Since testing revealed I had a severe zinc deficiency, I found I fared much better when I ate a diet that emphasized zinc-rich foods such as lean meats and poultry. For me, the best diet to bring back my immunity consisted of several portions of chicken, turkey and eggs throughout the day, lots of nonstarchy vegetables, and small amounts of nongluten grains, starchy vegetables and unrefined oils.

This diet provided enough protein to help my body heal from such a devastating physical condition as chronic fatigue syndrome. Adequate protein is essential for optimal immune functioning. Our bodies use the amino acids from protein to form antibodies, substances that combine with and inactivate foreign invaders in the body. Since individuals who have chronic fatigue syndrome usually have antibodies that are underactive or at low levels, they need to pay special attention to their protein needs. Protein also is essential in recovery from illness because it helps the body rebuild and repair damaged tissue. Even a slight protein deficiency can cause shrinkage of the thymus, an organ that's often called the master gland of the immune system.

As I found out, avoiding sugar was just as important for my recovery from chronic fatigue syndrome as getting enough protein. Eating any type of sugar -- even natural sweets including fruit -- caused a flare-up or worsening of my viral symptoms. Sugar is a proven immunosuppressant, so all immune-compromised people would be wise to limit the amounts of this food they eat.

Reducing Stress for Better Health
Along with taking care of my physical health, I had to address my emotional, mental and spiritual health. Since I knew stress is one of the worst things for a healthy immune system, I clued in on what things were stressful to me and how I could correct them. My stress-coping mechanisms included learning not to worry about small things, becoming more open with my feelings and trusting that if I had done my best in a given situation, things would work out in the end. For me, dealing with stress also meant re-examining myself and my life and determining what I most wanted in my work, home life and relationships. Positive affirmation books and family and friends helped me a lot in this process.

The road to recovery hasn't been an easy one, but it's been rewarding. Illness itself can be a great teacher. The knowledge and coping skills I learned to overcome chronic fatigue syndrome will help me maintain health throughout my life. Chronic fatigue syndrome gave me the opportunity to recreate my life, and I like the healthy new life I've created.

After using nutrition to overcome chronic fatigue syndrome, Melissa Diane Smith went on to graduate from the American Academy of Nutrition. She now works as a health journalist and nutritional consultant in Tucson, Ariz.