Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is one of the clearest examples of how chronic stress, Nervous System Dysregulation (NSD), inflammation, sleep disruption, and mitochondrial strain can overlap and reinforce one another. If you suffer from CFS, you know it's not just about “being tired.” You probably recognize it more as:
- Exhaustion that does not improve with rest
- Feeling physically depleted/drained
- Physical heaviness in the body
- Having a very low tolerance for stress
- Brain fog
- Feeling as if you've shut down (CFS can sometimes be a prolonged protective shutdown response aimed at reducing energy output to conserve resources and protect itself from further overload)
- Crashing after physical, mental, or emotional effort
From a whole-body perspective, CFS can be seen as the body struggling to regulate, recover, and produce enough energy.
CFS is associated with Yuppie Flu, Post Virus Fatigue Syndrome (PVFS), swollen lymph nodes, and muscle complaints, and often follows several life-changing stressors, such as a death in the family, employment problems, or some trauma.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is often called by other names, such as Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS) and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME). There can be abnormalities in the Central Nervous System (CNS) in individuals with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, which is included under the "CFS" umbrella but differs slightly from CFS.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is diagnosed when symptoms persist for more than 6 months or recur after initially disappearing. People with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome often recover from an initial cause, whatever that is. However, symptoms recur under emotional or physical stress, much like the herpes virus does, making for a disheartening cycle of recovery and flares.
70% of those who have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome also have Fibromyalgia Syndrome. 50% of those individuals also have Irritable Bowel Syndrome or Irritable Bladder Syndrome. And everyone suffering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome appears to have food sensitivities. It's my thought that Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is simply a symptom, rather than a condition, of a mitochondrial dysfunction, which is at the basis of nearly all fatigue-related disorders.
Symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Fatigue (more than pain)
- Malaise
- No energy
- Trouble sleeping (falling asleep or staying asleep) or the inability to feel refreshed after sleeping
- Brain fog and impaired memory
- Tender lymph nodes and sore throat (not always)
- Muscle and joint pain and a "different" kind of headache
- Extreme sensitivity to medications and chemicals
- Dizziness and Vertigo
Possible Causes of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
- Bacterial, fungal, and viral infections, such as Candida, SIBO, Epstein-Barr Virus (Mononucleosis), Viral Meningitis, Viral Hepatitis, severe flu, Chickenpox, severe or recurrent Herpes Simplex Virus infections, or other severe illnesses. HHV-6 is a human herpes virus that targets the brain and produces a specific protein found in the brains of individuals with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), but not in those without it. This suggests that treating biofilms may be part of the solution to managing CFS. I discuss biofilms in relation to Herpes Simplex Virus here.
- A disrupted circadian rhythm
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Electromagnetic energy fields
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Nervous System Dysregulation: When someone lives under prolonged stress, trauma, emotional overwhelm, caregiving strain, burnout, hypervigilance, financial stress, poor sleep, illness, or constant pressure, the body may remain stuck in survival physiology for extended periods, which can cause Nervous System Dysregulation. Initially, chronic stress can make someone feel “wired" but, eventually, many people shift from wired into depleted.
- Diabetes
- Hypothyroidism
- Surgery
- Leaky Gut Syndrome
- Depression
- Metabolic Acidosis
- Anemia (iron deficiency)
- Mitochondrial Dysfunction (also associated with muscle weakness, loss, and chronic pain)
- Histamine Intolerance
- Parasites
- Inflammation
The Mind/Body Connection
There is a certain amount of resistance to something in your life. Perhaps you're unhappy or dislike your current situation, relationship, or work. Boredom and lack of direction could be part of the picture.
Energetical Insights
- Associated Chakras: 1st and 5th Chakras
- Associated Personalities: Red and Blue Taroscendence Personalities
- Associated Energy Meridian: The Triple Heater (thyroid and adrenals)
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Vs. Fibromyalgia
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FS) often overlap and may be Myofascial Pain Syndrome, another condition altogether. It can be challenging to determine which one you are dealing with, as the symptoms are similar. FS and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) share similar symptoms, with ME exhibiting a few additional symptoms that FS typically does not. One thing is sure. Fatigue rules CFS. Pain rules FS. In both instances, the muscles do not respond normally to exertion, indicating an energy issue at the cellular level.
Holistic Alternatives for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
There are no specific medical treatments for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and most holistic practitioners will suggest the following healthy practices. However, they may not help with your fatigue at all. If this holds for you, again, you may be dealing with mitochondrial dysfunction.
Get Your Natural Circadian Rhythm Back
Your circadian rhythm is as old as time. People are meant to be awake during the daylight and asleep at night. In the modern world, this is almost unheard of. We wake way too early (or too late) and go to bed way after dark. Many vital tasks are going on in the body at night while you sleep. If you aren't sleeping like a caveman (or cavewoman), you're missing out.
Blue light (and Green) triggers the brain to wake up. Darkness triggers hormones to help you fall asleep. Blue and green light from TVs, computers, and cell phones keeps the brain alert and prevents it from falling asleep, which negatively impacts the body's functions. Get your natural circadian rhythm back.
Reduce Electromagnetic Frequencies (EMFs)
EMFs are electromagnetic energy fields. EMFs from appliances, microwaves, televisions, computers, cell phones, and towers (as well as every other electronic device and wire you can think of) contribute to chronic fatigue by interfering with the human electromagnetic energy field and causing mitochondrial dysfunction.
Avoid Harsh Chemicals
Begin swapping out your current household cleaners for more earth-friendly ones. If they are friendly to the earth, they will not send you reeling from fumes or cause you to relapse with body aches. Chemicals increase the toxicity of the blood and body fluids, leading to mitochondrial dysfunction.
Balance Your Physical and Intellectual Activities
Reduce stress from an imbalance between physical and intellectual activities. Creating a better balance can improve your energy level unless you have mitochondrial dysfunction.
Manage Feelings of Depression
Are you taking or considering an antidepressant for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome? The purpose of an antidepressant is to keep serotonin around longer, which supposedly eases depression. Serotonin is a brain chemical produced in both the brain and gut that promotes calm and "feel-good" emotions. However, doctors don't really know how antidepressants work, and recent studies have shown serotonin may not have as much to do with depression as previously thought. It might be better to eat foods that create peace of mind and avoid those that encourage it (sugar comes to mind). When you eat foods for peace of mind, you're also eating foods that feed your mitochondria. If your mitochondria aren't functioning correctly, it can cause low energy and feelings of depression. I say "feelings of depression" because just because you feel depressed, it doesn't mean you are. Feelings, such as loneliness, sadness, apathy, oppression, and even deep anger, can be misinterpreted as depression.
Stay Active to Increase Your Energy
It is beneficial to be active (move your body), even when you have little energy to spare. Without movement, you will lose muscle. Muscles burn calories. Without them, your metabolism will slow down, meaning you will have to eat less not to gain weight. Eating less will only make you more fatigued, irritable, sad, and hypersensitive. Less muscle tissue causes less energy. It is a vicious cycle. Engage in activities that feel safe, such as taking a stroll, dancing, performing light stretches, or gentle yoga movements.
Avoid Allergens
Food allergens can cause fatigue. Foods that can cause symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (in some people) are dairy, red meat, eggs, gluten, cheese, sugar, and yeast. Allergens cause inflammation. Whether it's from the foods you eat, Leaky Gut Syndrome, or environmental allergens. Chronic inflammation in the body causes fatigue. An anti-inflammatory diet can help reduce inflammation. However, if you live with herpes, I suggest following an anti-HSV diet that manages your lysine to arginine ratios. Arginine is an amino acid that feeds the herpes virus and is an HSV trigger for many.
Eat a Variety of Plant-Based Foods
Avoid eating processed and sugary foods and caffeinated beverages to help you re-energize. Instead, eat a diet rich in genetically appropriate nutrition, including a variety of plant-based foods.
Supplements for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Consider taking omega-3 fish oil or krill oil supplements, or eat wild-caught fish two or three times each week. However, talk with your doctor if you have had a history of heart problems, are on blood thinners, are on an antidepressant, or have a bleeding disorder before using these supplements or increasing these foods in your diet.
Also see Mitochondrial Dysfunction for a list of foods and supplements to support cellular energy.
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