Category: Chronic Disease

Why Am I Passionate About Fighting Chronic Disease?

When I was growing up in the 50s and 60s it was common that we would have an occasional Sunday meal with grandparents on either mom’s or dad’s side of the family. Sometimes, on special occasions, both sides were represented at the same event.

During these gatherings the adults often talked among themselves about the goings-on in the town. Usually those conversations just flowed past me because I did not know the people involved. Occasionally there was mention of so and so getting cancer. The thing is that this was not the rare occurrence you might expect. The way the adults talked about it, this was a major concern because of the apparently large numbers of people contracting the disease in our area, just West of Ottawa.

The fear was warranted. At that time, a diagnosis of cancer was a death sentence. There were no effective treatments. The doctors used antibiotics to fight the infections that appeared routinely because the patient’s immune system was weakened. Toward the end they provided strong narcotics to deal with the pain of organs shutting down. But there was virtually nothing that was effective against the cancer itself. Later, chemotherapy was employed to attack the tumors – but that often was perceived as worse than the disease itself.

Certainly smoking contributed to the cancer rate (at the time loudly denied by the tobacco companies). However, smoking was a common pastime across the country. So that did not account for the much higher cancer rate apparent in our area.

If you asked anyone in town why so many people were getting cancer, the uniform answer was that we were downwind of the Chalk River nuclear research site. But the government told us it was safe and there had been no leaks at any time. Based on my rudimentary research years later, I concluded that the cancer rate in the Ottawa Valley downwind of the Chalk River facility was higher than anywhere else in the country. In the face of government denials, we were simply left with our own suspicions.

Regardless, this increasingly high incidence of what, at the time, was a fatal chronic disease had a lasting impact on me. And it seemed, as time passed, that the incidence of a variety of other chronic diseases was also on the rise. However, I concluded that there did not appear to be much I could do about it. So I pushed the concern into the background.

A few years ago I got involved with at business that seemed to have a positive impact on a variety of chronic conditions and other health challenges. That provided the opportunity for me to channel this passion to help people who were fighting chronic disease. It is rewarding to make a difference in people’s lives.

So why am I writing about this now?

I recently read a post that contained this: “President Carter, the 39th President of the United States, once personally saved Ottawa from a Nuclear Disaster, at risk to his own life, suffering from the effects of radiation poisoning all his life. Canada had a Nuclear Accident in the 50s and asked the US for help. Lieutenant Jimmy Carter lead a team out of New York.”

Despite government assurances at the time, we now have evidence that there was indeed a nuclear accident at Chalk River (Ref. 1 and Ref.2). Who knows – there may have been others.

It is interesting how the human mind works. Snippets of conversation around a dining room table. Stories of friends and relatives becoming ill at rates that were historically unusual. All that percolating in the subconscious over years. And then, an opportunity to have perhaps a positive impact.

Result: a personal mission.

My father died of cancer. My aunt, my mother’s sister, died of cancer. Her husband died of cancer. My brother died far too soon of leukemia, a form of cancer. Other family members have experienced a variety of different chronic diseases.

References:

Ref 1: The Jimmy Carter nuclear accident story.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/chalk-river-nuclear-accident-1.6293574/

Ref 2: The Jimmy Carter nuclear accident Newsweek Fact Check.

https://www.newsweek.com/fact-check-jimmy-carter-stop-nuclear-reactor-ottawa-canada-1660067

#ChronicDisease #Health #Wellness #HeroicAction

Improving Prostate Health

My doctor told me that every male over 50 had prostate cancer! Well that got my attention. This was during a discussion that occurred at the conclusion of a general physical when I was in my late 50s. The process for the physical included a variety of blood tests and a physical examination.

He then went on to say that generally it progressed at such a slow rate that it was not a problem and would have no impact on longevity. He said that what they were worried about was catching a prostate cancer that was progressing very quickly, since that could cause serious issues. [After some personal research it would appear that he was exaggerating somewhat. But that startling stark statement did achieve his objective of getting me to focus intently on what he was saying!]

The prostate gland is found below the bladder, with the urethra passing through it. When doctors conduct a physical (rectal) examination, one of the things they are looking for is an enlarged prostate which could indicate a problem.

He told me about the PSA test. The Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test is a blood test that measures the level of PSA in a man’s blood. PSA is a protein produced by cells in the prostate gland, and it is a marker for various prostate conditions, including prostate cancer. Elevated levels of PSA in the blood may indicate the presence of cancer or other prostate conditions. He told me that if the result was above a certain threshold level there was a high probability that there was a cancer evolving and that action would need to be taken, possibly surgery.

When I was 64 he ordered the PSA test despite no problems indicated by the physical examination. At that point I had been on a glutathione accelerator for about two years. Later, when I asked about the results, he said there was “no problem.”

Well being the analytical person that I am, I conducted some personal research. The unit of measure for PSA tests is nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL). The normal range for PSA levels can vary depending on a man’s age, ethnicity, and other factors.

Separate research indicated readings in the 4–10 ng/mL range represents a 20 to 30 percent increased risk of cancer, 10–20 ng/mL represents a 50 to 75 percent increased risk of cancer, and anything over 20 ng/mL represents a 90 percent probability of the risk of prostate cancer developing. I found further that what was considered “normal” levels increased with age. Someone in the 60-69 age category (like me at the time) should not worry much if they got a reading of about 4 ng/mL.

It turns out that:

  • For men under age 50: A PSA level of 1–2.5 ng/mL is considered normal.
  • For men ages 50 to 59: A PSA level of 1–3.5 ng/mL is considered normal.
  • For men ages 60 to 69: A PSA level of 1–4.5 ng/mL is considered normal.
  • For men over age 70: A PSA level of 1–6.5 ng/mL is considered normal.

These normal ranges for PSA levels are based on general guidelines from the American Urological Association (AUA).

Some time later I pressed my doctor to tell me what the actual reading was. He looked up the test and told me the result was ZERO! Remember, at that point I was considerably older than the age 50 my doctor mentioned originally.

I don’t know what you concluded from this set of facts. But I know what my conclusion was! And on that basis, I will be taking large doses of glutathione accelerators for the rest of my life.

Seven years later I asked my doctor to run the PSA test again to see what had transpired. At that time I was now in my 70s and, due to my age, I had doubled the glutathione accelerators I was already taking. For my current age, normal readings are considered to be anything in the 1–6.5 range. My reading was still in the ZERO range! (For those who want details, the actual reading was 0.15 ng/mL.)

p.s. To find out what I used to elevate glutathione levels, go to the Contact John menu item and send me a message.

What About Autism?

According to Autism Canada, “Autism Spectrum Disorder, or autism, is a neurodevelopmental disorder that impacts brain development causing most individuals to experience communication problems, difficulty with social interactions and a tendency to repeat specific patterns of behaviour. There is also a markedly restricted repertoire of activities and interests.”

Rising Incidence of Autism is Alarming

More children than ever before are being diagnosed with ASD. It is unclear how much of this increase is due to a broader definition of ASD and better efforts in diagnosis. However, a true increase in the number of people with an ASD cannot be ruled out. The increase in ASD diagnosis is likely due to a combination of these factors.

According to the U.S. Centres for Disease Control (Ref 1), the incidence of ASD was 1 in 59 children in 2014. This estimate is roughly 30% higher than the estimate for 2008 (1 in 88), roughly 60% higher than the estimate for 2006 (1 in 110), and roughly 120% higher than the estimates for 2002 and 2000 (1 in 150). There is no sign that this worsening trend is slowing.

ASD Characteristics

As its name implies, individuals with ASD may exhibit a spectrum of challenging behaviours.

Individuals with severe autism conditions may have serious cognitive disability, sensory problems and symptoms of extremely repetitive and unusual behaviour. This can include tantrums, self-injury, defensiveness and aggression. Without appropriate intervention, these symptoms may be very persistent and difficult to change. Living or working with a person with severe autism can be very challenging, requiring tremendous patience and understanding of the condition.

Individuals with mild autism conditions, however, may seem more like they have personality differences, making it challenging to form relationships.

The primary symptoms of autism include problems with communication and social interaction, as well as repetitive interests and activities.

Various Treatment Options

As one might imagine, with such a wide variety of factors like number and particular kinds of symptoms, severity (mild to severe), age, levels of functioning and challenges with social interactions, there is a wide variety of treatment options.

Approaches vary from intensive behaviour therapy, to education for both parents and children, to administration of pharmaceuticals (e.g., to suppress aggressive behaviour), to diet changes, to consumption of dietary supplements that address nutrient deficiencies. The options available to parents of an ASD child can be daunting. Autism Canada has some useful information about the evolving options. (Ref 2)

The basic problem is that, as with most modern chronic disease, treatments tend to address observed symptoms rather than trying to tackle underlying causes.

What Causes Autism?

Over the years there has been much research and speculation about the cause of ASD. There is even the possibility that, given the range of symptoms, there may be multiple different causes.

Some of this speculation has received sensational reporting in the news media. Who has not heard the claim by many parents that certain vaccines administered to young children provoked the development of ASD? This story has seen its ups and downs, involving emotional claims by parents and condescending reassurances from pharmaceutical companies. (I haven’t seen a really good response to the parents’ question of “why on earth would a pharmaceutical company include toxic mercury in a preserving agent for a vaccine directed at very young children, since its only function seems to be to save the company money by extending the shelf life of the vaccine?”) On the other hand, apparently valid studies have shown no correlation between vaccines and incidence of ASD.

But some relevant analysis seems to shed light, not just on the cause of ASD but also on a possible cause of a variety of other neurological disorders that have seen increasing occurrence trends in recent decades. Although this may be new to many people, this is not new research. The relevant science and analysis is well laid out in a report entitled “Environmental contamination and autism: Special report from UPHE”. UPHE is the Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment and the report was published in January of 2015 (Ref. 3) I encourage you to read the entire report.

In addition, on Jan, 29, 2015, six physicians with expertise on how air pollution affects the brain gave a 75 minute presentation on the latest research on this critical public health topic. (Ref. 4) On that page is a link to the audio of the presentation and a summary of the highlights. For those with specific interest, I recommend it.

Quoting from the report:

In early 2014 leading scientists in pediatrics and public health warned of a “silent pandemic,” of brain disorders citing strong evidence that “children worldwide are being exposed to unrecognized toxic chemicals that are silently eroding intelligence, disrupting behaviors, truncating future achievements and damaging societies.”

These toxins — heavy metals, fluoride, chemicals like PCBs, toluene, solvents, flame retardants, BPA, phalates, pesticides, and PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) — are found in the air you breathe, the food you eat, the water you drink, and the grass your kids play soccer on. Dramatically escalating rates of autism are part of this “silent pandemic.” Autism rates have climbed another 30% just since the last survey of two years ago, with Utah having the second highest rates of autism in the country, double the national average. As of 2012, one in every 32 Utah boys had autism. This “silent pandemic” warning should be a real wake up call for Utah physicians and policy makers.

Evidence is mounting that autism is likely caused by environmental exposures in genetically susceptible individuals. Supporting an environmental/genetic tag team are other studies showing autistic children and their mothers have a high rate of a genetic deficiency in the production of glutathione, an antioxidant and the body’s primary means of detoxifying heavy metals. High levels of toxic metals in children are strongly correlated with the severity of autism. Low levels of glutathione, coupled with high production of homocysteine, increase the chance of a mother having an autistic child to one in three. That autism is four to five times more common among boys than girls is likely related to a defect in the single male X chromosome contributing to antioxidant deficiency. But there is no such thing as a genetic disease epidemic because genes don’t change that quickly, so the alarming rise in autism must be the result of increased environmental exposures that exploit these genetic defects.

While numerous environmental exposures have been implicated, including pharmaceuticals like anti-depressants, in the last few years a growing body of epidemiological studies have been published linking autism to air pollution, including a highly regarded one from the Harvard School of Public Health just last month that showed a strong correlation between prenatal air pollution, especially in the third trimester, and autism.

Enhanced GSH Levels as a Key Countermeasure

If we look at the highlights:

  • heavy metal and toxic chemical concentrations in the mother during pregnancy,
  • heavy metal and toxic chemical concentrations in the ASD child,
  • co-occurring conditions (Ref 5) that correlate to low glutathione levels, and
  • oxidative stress as a common theme across the board

it becomes obvious that glutathione (GSH) is a critical factor.

If we review the various roles that glutathione plays in your body (refer to Why Does Your Health Depend on Glutathione) we can see a possible strategy. The major threat factors identified in the UPHE analysis are chemical toxins, heavy metals, oxidative stress and inflammation.

Glutathione:

  • is the body’s master detoxifier, removing chemical toxins from the body,
  • chelates a variety of heavy metals out of the body,
  • is the body’s master antioxidant, neutralizing free radicals and thereby reducing oxidative stress, and
  • reduces cellular inflammation.

The countermeasures seem obvious. Increase the body’s intracellular glutathione levels.

Possible Actions to Take

If we assume that the analysis published by UPHE is valid, there are a few things that you could do to protect against neurological harm, both for your baby and for yourself:

  • If you are pregnant or considering pregnancy, take action immediately to increase your intracellular glutathione levels at least until you stop breastfeeding.
  • If you are an adult, understand that this harmful pollution is also a risk to your health. Take action to increase your intracellular glutathione levels on an ongoing basis.
  • If you have a new baby or young child, have their glutathione levels checked periodically. And if indicated, take action to increase their intracellular glutathione levels. Or consider doing this anyway as a general preventive measure.
  • If you are an adult with ASD, your body is no doubt in a state of oxidative stress. Take action to increase your intracellular glutathione levels on an ongoing basis.
  • Finally, get behind any initiative that will get governments to severely reduce industrial air pollution worldwide. It’s either that or get used to the idea of every individual, including young children, wearing a functional Darth Vader mask to help keep the toxic pollution out of their bodies.

References

Reference 1: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/data.html

Reference 2: https://autismcanada.org/living-with-autism/treatments/

Reference 3: http://uphe.org/air-pollution-health/the-brain/environmental-contamination-and-autism-special-report-from-uphe/ January 2015

Reference 4: http://uphe.org/air-pollution-health/the-brain/ January 2015

Reference 5: https://autismcanada.org/about-autism/comorbid-conditions/

#chronicdisease #autism #glutathione

Macular Degeneration and Oxidative Stress

Recently I discovered that an online friend had been diagnosed with Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD). My instant reaction was ‘I have something that I believe will help.’ But I decided to do a little research to be sure I had my facts right.

What is AMD?

According to the U.S. National Institutes of Health, “AMD is a common eye condition and a leading cause of vision loss among people age 50 and older. It causes damage to the macula, a small spot near the center of the retina and the part of the eye needed for sharp, central vision, which lets us see objects that are straight ahead.”

AMD is usually first detected with a standard visual acuity test. Other diagnostic tests (e.g., dilated eye exam, Amsler Grid, Fluorescein Angiogram, Optical Coherence Tomography) may be used to confirm the diagnosis and monitor the progress of the condition.

According to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation, there are two general types of AMD, the “dry” and the “wet” variety.

  • In the “dry” type of macular degeneration, the deterioration of the retina is associated with the formation of small yellow deposits, known as drusen, under the macula. This phenomenon leads to a thinning and drying out of the macula, causing the macula to lose its function. The amount of central vision loss is directly related to the location and amount of retinal thinning caused by the drusen.
  • In the “wet” type of macular degeneration, abnormal blood vessels (known as choroidal neovascularization or CNV) grow under the retina and macula. These new blood vessels may then bleed and leak fluid, causing the macula to bulge or lift up from its normally flat position, thus distorting or destroying central vision. Under these circumstances, vision loss may be rapid and severe.

Apparently there is no known cure for AMD; however there are some treatments that appear to slow its progress, including monthly injections.

Relevance of Oxidative Stress

Research confirms that AMD, as with most chronic diseases, correlates with abnormally low blood glutathione levels – which means the body is experiencing high levels of oxidative stress (Reference 1 and Reference 2). Oxidative stress is a state in which the body has more damaging free radicals than it has the antioxidant capacity to neutralize. High levels of free radicals can do much harm across a variety of the body’s systems, including its visual sensory systems.

Glutathione (rhymes with ‘glue-da-tie-on’) is a molecule that is produced by every living cell in your body. It is necessary for life in every mammal, including humans. If all of the glutathione were to leave your body, you would not survive two seconds. If you don’t have enough glutathione bad things happen, including disease.

Since glutathione (GSH) is the body’s master antioxidant, a low level of GSH means high oxidative stress. With some exceptions, glutathione is in adequate supply in children. However, from about age 20 onward the natural production of glutathione tends to drop at an average rate of about 10-15 percent per decade. This is a concern because the glutathione molecule is involved in many necessary processes in your body.

In the case of AMD, the “age-related” portion of the name is indicative of the root cause of the condition. The older a person gets the lower their natural intracellular glutathione levels are. AMD is always associated with low glutathione. Therefore it is reasonable to presume that those who are able to keep their intracellular GSH at nominal levels will not develop AMD.

Possible Treatment Option

The natural conclusion this implies is that to slow or stop the progress of the condition in the person who has AMD, they should increase their intracellular glutathione levels substantially. This is a conclusion that was reached in a 2013 study (Reference 3). But as with similar research findings for other chronic diseases, no follow-up work is done to bring this to standard treatment practice. Many folk believe this is because there is no money to be made by the medical and pharmaceutical industries from the use of relatively inexpensive nutritional supplements.

When I heard about my online friend having the “wet” form of AMD, I put a question out to a group of folk that know about glutathione.

Here’s what I asked: Increasing glutathione is supposed to help with macular degeneration. Does anyone know of someone who experienced this effect? I’m unsure what I can tell a friend who I just found out has the condition. Thanks.

After a couple of days, here’s a response I got from a personal friend in the group: Hi John, I have had macular degeneration for many years. My ophthalmologist takes a picture of my left eye every year. It was full of blood spots and lines of blood. Now it is smooth and no blood at all. Big change in about one year. Yeah for <product name>.

The product he named is one that increases intracellular GSH levels. This is one person’s experience. By itself it does not mean this constitutes a confirmed treatment or a cure. But in my mind it is further evidence that the medical community really needs to take a look at increasing intracellular glutathione levels as a bona fide treatment option for chronic diseases like AMD.

References:

Reference 1: Qin L, Mroczkowska SA, Ekart A, Patel SR, Gibson JM, Gherghel D., Patients with early age-related macular degeneration exhibit signs of macro- and micro-vascular disease and abnormal blood glutathione levels, Graefe’s archive for clinical and experimental ophthalmology, (January 2014)

Reference 2: Mrowicka M, Mrowicki J, Szaflik JP, Szaflik MS, Ulińska M, Szaflik J, Majsterek I., Evaluation pro/antioxidant balance in patients with wet form of age-related macular degeneration, Klin Oczna. 2016;118(4):284-8 (original article in Polish)

Reference 3: Zafrilla P, Losada M, Perez A, Caravaca G, Mulero J., Biomarkers of oxidative stress in patients with wet age related macular degeneration, The Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging. (March 2013)

#amd  #chronicdisease #glutathione

The Impact of ROS on ME/CFS and FMS

This is a topic that is somewhat dear to my heart. My sister was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia a couple of decades ago. And her life has been miserable for much of that time.

Terminology

For clarification, ME refers to Myalgic Encephalomyelitis or Myalgic Encephalopathy, CFS refers to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and FMS refers to Fibromyalgia Syndrome (more commonly just Fibromyalgia).

ME/CFS

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is a term that has been in use for quite some time. A name less recognized in Canada but moving into more common use is myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME). This lengthy name can be easily broken down into its parts, where “myalgic” refers to muscle pain; “encephalo” refers to the brain; “myel” refers to the spinal cord; and “itis” refers to inflammation.

In 2001, Health Canada appointed an international panel of experts in this emerging field of medicine to establish a clinical working-case definition, diagnostic guidelines, and treatment procedures. The panel released a set of guidelines in 2003 and their choice of name to describe the condition was both “myalgic encephalomyelitis” and “chronic fatigue syndrome” – with acronyms shortening it down to a manageable size: ME/CFS.

It is estimated that more than 1 million people in the US population have ME/CFS – 422 per every 100,000 people. It is 4 times as common in women as in men (522 out of 100,000 women have it), and women suffer from ME/CFS in greater numbers than from breast cancer (26 per 100,000), HIV/AIDS (12 per 100,000), or lung cancer (33 per 100,000).

In Canada, Statistics Canada reported in 2005 that over 341,000 Canadians were diagnosed with ME/CFS.

~~ Source: medbroadcast.com

Refer also to a more recent definition from the U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).

FMS

FMS stands for Fibromyalgia Syndrome. With Fibromyalgia, pain with its devastating and demoralizing effects remains a challenging problem for both patients and care givers. Fibromyalgia is one of the most common diseases affecting the muscles manifested with pain, stiffness, and tenderness of the muscles, tendons, and joints. The painful tissues involved are not accompanied by tissue inflammation. Therefore, despite potentially disabling body pain; patients with fibromyalgia do not develop tissue damage or deformity. The pain of fibromyalgia is generally widespread, involving both sides of the body. Pain usually affects the neck, buttocks, shoulders, arms, the upper back, and the chest. “Tender points” are localized tender areas of the body that can bring on widespread pain and muscle spasm when touched.

FMS typically presents in young or middle-aged females as persistent widespread pain, stiffness, fatigue, disrupted unrefreshing sleep, and cognitive difficulties, often accompanied by multiple other unexplained symptoms, anxiety and/or depression, and functional impairment of daily living activities. There is an overall 6% to 15% prevalence rate in the United States with a five times greater incidence among women than men.

~~ Source: Oman Medical Journal, published May 2012.

ROS

ROS stands for Reactive Oxygen Species, otherwise known as “free radicals.” Oxidative Stress is a condition in which the level of free radicals exceeds the antioxidant capacity of the body – there’s not enough antioxidants to neutralize the radicals and maintain a balance. (Refer to the article Get Rid of the Radicals.) As most people know, radicals are bad for your health. Prolonged periods of oxidative stress lead to disease and disfunction.

Both ME/CFS and FMS exhibit oxidative stress as a common characteristic.

According to a study published in 2014, “Many studies involving peripheral blood measurements have demonstrated significant abnormalities related to increased O&NS [oxidative stress and nitrosative stress] in many patients with ME/CFS.” (Ref. 1)

According to a study published in 2015, “FMS patients have higher oxidative stress index and lower total nitrite levels than healthy controls. In particular, patients with FMS demonstrated higher serum prolidase activity, total oxidative status, and oxidative stress index than healthy controls, and serum prolidase activity positively correlated with pain and fatigue scores.” (Ref. 2)

My Sister’s Story

My sister had been living with a diagnosis of Fibromyalgia for at least a couple of decades. Several days a week she would have difficulty getting out of bed in the morning. Either not enough energy or too much pain or both. And when she did get up and going, everything she did caused pain and drained her energy. This was no way to live. I’m sure I have just glossed over the situation since I have not experienced what she goes through on a daily basis. I could not do justice to her challenges.

A few years ago I became aware of a nutritional supplement that increased the body’s intracellular glutathione levels. And I saw a list of conditions associated with low glutathione. When I saw Fibromyalgia on the list, my attention perked up.

My Mom and my sister live separately but in the same house. And they live about a five hour drive away from where I live. One weekend when I went to visit, I told my sister about the supplement and urged her to try it. I would be her supplier. She agreed – but I think it was because I was her brother and not because she thought it would make a difference.

After I went home I would call my Mom every couple of weeks to see how she was doing. During those calls I would ask about my sister.

“How’s Sue doing?”

My Mom would answer, “Oh, she’s doing alright.”

A few weeks later, “How’s Sue doing?”

“She’s doing alright.”

“How’s Sue doing?”

“She’s doing alright.”

I was starting to get frustrated. This supplement was supposed to help her.

About 8-10 weeks after she started on the supplements, “How’s Sue doing?”

“Oh, she’s had a particularly bad day today.”

I was thinking, “Damn, the stuff was supposed to help.” But before I could say anything, my Mom went on, “You know those pills you gave her?”

“Yeeesss.” I said somewhat hesitantly. I feared she was going to tell me she thought the supplement had caused problems.

Mom said, “Well, her energy levels are up so much and her pain levels are down so much that she’s doing stuff she hasn’t done in 20 years and her muscles are complaining.”

I was shocked. But before I could even think of a response, my mother starts crying and says, “Thank you for giving your sister her life back.”

All I did was suggest that she take some supplements, based on some science research I had done. But I must admit that it felt pretty good.

We later determined that she needed to take more than the standard dose recommended by the manufacturer to see adequate benefits. Things will never get back to the way they were when she was twenty. But they are an order of magnitude better than what they used to be.

Summary

Both ME/CFS and FMS exhibit high levels of oxidative stress (high levels of damaging free radicals). The high level of oxidative stress correlates to high pain and fatigue scores. Glutathione is the body’s master antioxidant. It is produced by the body inside each living cell. Researchers use the level of glutathione as the primary indicator of the level of oxidative stress – the lower the glutathione level the higher the oxidative stress.

Experience shows that increasing intracellular glutathione reduces oxidative stress levels, which leads to a reduction of pain and fatigue. This approach is not a cure; but it may be an effective way to improve the quality of life of those dealing with these conditions.

References:

Reference 1: Gerwyn Morris and Michael Maes, Oxidative and Nitrosative Stress and Immune-Inflammatory Pathways in Patients with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME)/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), Current Neuropharmacology, 2014 Mar; 12(2): 168–185. Mar. doi: 10.2174/1570159X11666131120224653

Reference 2: Theoharis C. Theoharides, Irene Tsilioni, Lauren Arbetman, Smaro Panagiotidou, Julia M. Stewart, Rae M. Gleason, and Irwin J. Russell, Fibromyalgia Syndrome in Need of Effective Treatments, The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, 2015 Nov; 355(2): 255–263. Published online 2015 Nov. doi: 10.1124/jpet.115.227298

#Fibromyalgia #ChronicFatigue #ME/CFS #glutathione