By William G. Crook, M.D.

Because of my interest in CFS, about a year ago I began working on a new illustrated book titled Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and the Yeast Connection -- a "get well" guide for people with this often misunderstood disorder -- and those who care for them. (Publication date: July 24, 1992.)

This book will discuss the many factors which play a part in causing the illness known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. These include viral infections, food sensitivities, chemical pollutants, nutritional deficiencies, parasites and psychological stress.

In some individuals with CFS, the illness develops suddenly following an acute epidemic viral infection similar to the one that occurred in Incline Village, Nevada in 1984 or the Los Angeles Hospital in 1930. Yet the observations of Carol Jessop, a leading CFS clinician and researcher, show that this disorder often develops insidiously -- especially in individuals who give a history of:

Repeated courses of antibiotic drugs in childhood, adolescence or adult years
Recurrent vaginal yeast infections
Diets loaded with sugar and alcohol

And, like many physicians who are working with patients with the Candida-Related Complex, Dr. Jessop found that most people with CFS can be helped by a comprehensive treatment program which includes:

A sugar-free nutritious diet
Antifungal medication
Unpolluted home and work environment
Psychological support
Essential fatty acids
Nutritional supplements including magnesium

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

At the November 1990 CIFIDS Conference, Charlotte, North Carolina, Dr. Carol Jessop commented:

"Low magnesium levels are common and can only be found using a test whereby you collect a 24-hour urine sample to test for magnesium. You then load the patient with 400 to 500 mgs. of magnesium a day for three days. You take another magnesium urine test on the third day to see how much the body retains. If they retained greater than 50 percent, it is significant because magnesium is very important in muscle relaxation. Many of my fibromyalgia patients improved with the addition of magnesium to the diet.

"Low zinc levels are also common although only 32 percent of patients show this on the blood tests. Blood tests are not as accurate as sweat tests which are hard to do in the office. But many patients either have poor wound healing or leukonychia (white spots on the fingernails) which are signs of zinc deficiency. Both of these trace minerals are absorbed in the gut and, I think, are being malabsorbed by our patients."

In a conversation with me in August 1991, Dr. Stephen Davies, editor of the Journal of Nutrition in Medicine said, "CFS patients are nearly always deficient in magnesium. Our research studies show that they're frequently deficient in zinc and copper, too.

http://www.price-pottenger.org/Articles/ChrFatigue.htm

(Note: I was on massive doses of antifungal medication and it did not really help. Kefir, cultured vegtables, kombucha, PB8 (acidolphilis caps) work much better and provide beneficial nutrition with no side affects. I also found relief and improved health from using magnesium, zinc, cod liver oil and spirulina. —Bev)

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