I thought I’d post about some treatments which are used in CFS for those who come here but arent seeing a CFS specialist. I’ll start with one my CFS specialist sees as an important supplementation for CFS that being glutathione.
CFS has been many been linked to glutathione depletion as this has been found to be often low in those with CFS.
Glutathione is important in the body for many reasons, when low, toxins build in the body. Glutathione is important for detoxification and free radical protection. Low Glutathione increases ones risk of getting cancer.
Many CFS specialists state the importance of boosting ones glutathione to possibly help the CFS and as a neuroprotector (to help prevent CFS neurological symptoms from worsening).
at http://phoenix-cfs.org/GluAACFS04.htm
"HAS GLUTATHIONE REPLETION BEEN USED CLINICALLY IN CFS, AND IF SO,
WHAT HAVE BEEN THE RESULTS?
YES.
Patricia Salvato, M.D. has used intramuscular injections of GSH
combined with ATP clinically for several years. In 1998 she
reported on a study of 276 CFS patients, using 100 mg of GSH and 1
mg of ATP weekly. After 6 months of treatment, 82% experienced
improvement in fatigue, 71% experienced improvement in memory and
concentration, and 62% experienced improvement in levels of pain.
Paul Cheney, M.D. reported in 1999 on his clinical use of oral
undenatured whey protein in CFS patients. The dosage varied with
different patients, up to 40 grams per day. He reported that
several of his patients improved on this treatment, and some who had
had active infections with herpes family viruses, mycoplasma, or
chlamydia were cleared of them by this treatment.
John S. Foster, M.D. and his colleagues reported in 2002 on their
use of GSH in an intravenous fast push (over 2 to 3 minutes).
Dosage ranged up to 2,500 mg, 1 or 2 times weekly, as part of a
detoxification protocol used on a variety of patients, including
some with CFS. They reported that the treatment has been promising
in addressing neurodegenerative and neurotoxic disorders.
IS REPLETION OF GLUTATHIONE LIKELY TO BE THE COMPLETE ANSWER FOR
TREATING CFS?
NO.
GSH depletion occurs near the beginning of the complex pathogenesis
of CFS. There are likely to be many interactions and vicious
circles as the pathogenesis develops into the pathophysiology, and
there may also be damage that is difficult to correct. The
mediators of such damage would likely be infections, toxins and
reactive oxygen species, all of which are able to build up because
of the depletion of GSH. It is likely that a multifaceted treatment
protocol will be necessary."
Most CFS specialists tell their patients to take “undenatured” whey as this naturally gives us more glutathione.
(for the best brands of this for CFS is best doing an online search…as not all brands seem to work as well. If you are in Australia or New Zealand thou. Pharmafood Iso-whey complete can be brought here and is a recommended one for CFS).
I read once that another good way to get more glutathione is aloe vera juice.
Glutathione supplements are not recommended as our bodies dont seem to absorb it well at all from them, so in studies they havent been shown to work.
from http://www.vitaminexpress.com/dr_murray.php/content/drmurrayhowtoboostglutathionelevels.php
"Vitamin C raises glutathione by helping the body manufacture it. In addition, to vitamin C, dietary sources of glutathione and several other nutritional compounds can help increase glutathione levels including N-acetylcysteine (NAC), alpha-lipoic acid, glutamine, methionine, and whey protein. Also, vitamin B6, riboflavin, and selenium are required in the manufacture of glutathione.
As far as foods go, fresh fruits and vegetables provide excellent levels of glutathione, but cooked foods contained far less.10 Asparagus, avocado, and walnuts are particularly rich dietary sources of glutathione.
foods and glutathione levels (milligrams per 100g serving)
apples uncooked 21 (cooked 0), carrots uncooked 74.6 (cooked 0), grapefruit 70.6, spinach uncooked 166 (cooked 27.1), tomatos uncooked 169 (cooked 0)"
I found reading that stuff on the foods and glutathione very interesting as I did get a great improvement in my CFS mind food when I went on a organic freshly juiced juices diet for 4 days (only juices and nothing else). I was drinking beetroot, carrot and apple juice… so I guess I actually also got a lot of glutathione at that time… maybe that is what helped??? (I cant take the whey my specialist wanted me to take as I react badly to it).