by Vic Shayne, PhD

Many physicians have referred to it as hypochondria or idiopathic disease (meaning that it has no known cause), but now more and more doctors are recognizing the reality of chronic fatigue as a valid medical complaint. Just as the name implies, this means that people suffering from chronic fatigue always feel tired or exhausted. Of course most of us know what it’s like to be very tired or worn out, but chronic fatigue takes this to a new level; instead of being tired occasionally, the sufferer feels worn out all of the time. When this happens, all of life comes to a grinding halt, because without energy you can’t get things done, and without energy, the body begins to break down in many ways.

Adjunctive Nutritional Schedule*
(long-term schedule)
BFood Complex: 12 tablets a day, or 1T of the powder
CellPower: 6 tablets a day, or 1teasp of the powder
CalMag Balance: 6 tablets a day
Fish Oils: 6 capsules a day
AdrenaPlex: 6 capsules
SuperGreens PhytoFood: 6 capsules or 1 teasp powder

It is also possible to take the powder versions of these foods and blend them in a smoothie, taking half the dosage in the morning and the other half in late afternoon.

Why the exhaustion? Well, as Dr. Bernard Jensen (author, Vibrant Health from Your Kitchen) used to say, it takes time to build a disease. In other words, health problems like chronic fatigue do not come on suddenly. There are many factors that can rob you of energy, including another illness, low iron, low mineral intake, liver problems, digestive problems, excessive work without proper rest, overweight conditions, excessive stress (emotional and physical), and improper/insufficient nutrition. In all causes, nutrition remains at the top of the list of importance, because if you don’t feed your body the correct foods, it won’t have the building blocks for health. Nerves, muscles, the mind, the brain, the internal organs, the glands and the cells all need good nutrition to function optimally. If they don’t have this, then they will be lacking in energy, which leads to chronic fatigue.

Symptoms
There are many foods that build energy, and topping the list are the foods that contain vitamin B complex (See BFood Complex). Note that we say that the foods are important to eat rather than the vitamin pills. Many cases of chronic fatigue have failed to respond to vitamin pills, yet have responded to the foods that contain the vitamins, among other nutrients that only nature’s foods can offer. When there is a deficiency of vitamin B complex, as is very common in cases of exhaustion, some symptoms include:
• fatigue, tiredness
• inability to think clearly
• problems focusing
• sleepiness
• insomnia
• anxiety
• feelings of dread/ something terrible is going to happen
• inability to cope with stress
• intolerance for noise
• moodiness
• heart palpitations
• fear of the unknown

When exhaustion becomes chronic, the adrenal glands may be adversely affected, leading to adrenal fatigue. The adrenal system is the backup energy program for the body, and it needs vitamin C foods such as citrus, cherries and other fruits and vegetables. (See AdrenalPlex)

Minerals are also important in creating energy and maintaining the health, including calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, sulfur, potassium, sodium and selenium. (See SuperGreens PhytoFood) And essential fatty acids are needed by the body for nerve transmission, brain function and immune response. (See FishOils) Further, there are many foods that create energy in the mitochondria (energy factories) of the cells, including alfalfa, ginseng root, quinoa, fig, spirulina, and others. (See EnergyFood)

The biggest mistake made by people with chronic fatigue is to take herbs or drugs that artificially stimulate energy. But this causes not only side effects, but since such actions do not solve the nutrition deficiency underlying the problem, new health problems are created and the condition is made worse. The wisest course of action is to take whole food supplements, change your diet for the better, get plenty of rest, enroll in a stress-reduction course or therapy, and seek psychological counseling to ease you through the recovery process.

* Adjunctive Nutritional Schedules are not meant to treat or cure disease, but rather to offer the body a variety of food nutrients that can be used for health support.

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