A recent comment stated “I had an allergic reaction to both CoQ10 (of which is listed as a “core” on this blog) and SAM-E – both of which are known to be required for the synthesis of ATP production.” I decided to do a little digging into this area.
The wikipedia article is an interesting read but has no reports of allergies. PubMed searches turned up similar findings as above, including production by bacteria.
We can similarly go on to other allergies, such as peanuts which had had an exponential growth as well as autoimmune. There is much speculation as to the cause.
My own speculation is that there has been an alteration of the microbiome from changes in food and that the root cause if this microbiome shift.
Inferential evidence come from some recent work:
Our microbiome (including mouth) appears to have evolved with our traditional (ethnic) food and been passed along by such items as children sticking their fingers in their parent mouths. When this healthy population is subject to a different food supply (change of diet), then the microbiome shifts because there is an abundance of food that one uses, and a decrease in the food another one needs. A good population goes bad.
How to treat? Two experiments would be interesting to see if they impact allergies, especially peanut allergies,
The chemicals producing the allergic reaction may well be a result of chemicals released by the microbiome when exposed to these foods or supplements.
I am recovered – and prefer not to relapse back into CFS again.
One week at a time, followed by 1-3 weeks off them
Usually as needed, or one day each week
Regular parts of my diet
During my second episode of CFS, I had a craving for peanut butter very early on. Peanut butter on Swedish Rye Crisp Bread. Later, as I recovered and grew familiar with research; I came to the conclusion that it was my body ordering my mind for the ingredients to produce red-blood cells. Many CFS symptoms matches hypoxia (altitude sickness) symptoms. Hyperbaric oxygen does reduce symptoms in CFS patients (2013 study) and many patients mentioned that their symptoms get worst with increase in altitude. Similarly, David Bell,MD found that circulating blood mass is low in CFS patients. Lastly, Dr. Leslie Simpson found that the red blood cells are deformed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (1991 ).
A summary of what is in peanut butter is available here. I recall find a reference to peanut butter providing all of the nutrients needed to produce red blood cells except B12 (hence B12 supplementation, or the B12 producing bacteria should be supplemented at the save time). Unfortunately, I am not able to locate this precise reference or an equivalent. References that I did find are:
I am aware that there are concerns about peanut butter being high in arginine which encourages herpes virus (which are associated with CFS in some people). For the background and a list of foods, see this site. Also, peanut allergies is a concern (which appears to be treatable by probiotics — or make it much worst!). So, this is strictly a sharing of my experience that some may wish to consider.
There are two onset patterns seen with most CFS: sudden and gradual onset.
Yesterday I spent the afternoon talking with a very long term colleague and friend about career opportunities and paths. He is a very successful professional in the early 40’s. He has been giving 200+% to his employer for a decade. He mentioned:
All of the above, are characteristics I have seen time and again in people with auto-immune conditions such as FM or CFS. Low vitamin D, low B12, cognitive issues, and food insensitivity are seen in over 80% of CFS and FM patients. Having those conditions is not diagnostic, other condition present with them. A CDC-strict CFS diagnosis or FM diagnosis require additional criteria to be satisfied.
We know that random mutation of bacteria and stress resulted in some bad bacteria becoming established. We know:
A search of PubMed finds some 2200+ articles on stress and autoimmune.
Testing for most autoimmune conditions early is unknown — usually diagnosis is made when the condition is well established. Often symptoms are blown off by medical profession as “aging”, or in the case of women as typical of “pre-menopause, menopause or post-menopause”.
Personally, I believe that testing for Vitamin 1,25D levels is likely the best early test to indicate the auto-immune direction. Vitamin 1,25D levels appear to be independent of Vitamin D (D3, 25D) levels which is what is normally tested for.
My own experience is that 1,25-D went very high with onset and dropped down to the normal range with successful treatment. A value near the top of the normal range should be of significant concern.
These are suggestions for him to discussion with his medical professionals. Since the symptoms are dominantly gut associated (food intolerance) then the two probiotics associated with successful treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome would be an excellent starting point — two weeks on one, and then two weeks on the other.
Because of the low B-12 levels, L. Reuteri also appears to be a good choice as explained in this post. I suspect/speculate that it can be taken with the above without significant loss of effectiveness. See this post on how to take it. Sources:
Needless to say for old timers — changes of probiotics should occur on Fridays in case “die-off” happens from the battle betwen probiotics and the bad bacteria. Starting at a low dosage (sprinkling 1/2 capsule on yogurt for the first day) is also suggested to allow the war between bacteria to be more tolerable. Of course, we cannot predict if there will be a war.
CFS Remission 